Countdown to Christmas: Final Touches

This is my sixth week of Countdown To Christmas and it's Final Touches Week and I'll be focusing my organizing tips and thoughts around the final details of getting ready for the big day.

The biggest tip I can share with you this week is to focus on the most important thing(s) and let the little stuff go. Negative stress can invade and take away your focus. Make note of those things causing you stress and make note of how you can make changes for next year.

If there are lots of things floating around in your head and you feel overwhelmed, get them out of your head and onto paper. Find a quiet spot for 15-30 minutes and just start writing.

If you are thinking, "Ya right! If I had time to do that, I'd have time to finish those cookies or Christmas Cards!" I find that just getting a few minutes to myself can make a big difference at those stressful times and that's good for the whole family!

Christmas Countdown: Last Minute Baking

Wrapping and Baking Week

This is the week I attempt to do a little baking. Serious Holiday bakers might have tons of cookies frozen and ready to go by now. I'm not one of those serious holiday bakers; I have to be in the mood to be in the kitchen by choice. So, I thought I would share my easy Holiday baking plan with you and provide some links to some great ideas. Please share your ideas and links, too!

Paula's Super Easy Holiday Baking Plan

1. Pick 1-3 favorite recipes


2. Determine a shopping list, if needed. I tend to choose recipes that use items I have on-hand already.


3. Pick the date(s) to bake.


4. Know your limits. I can handle doing one recipe at a time if the kids are helping and perhaps 2 if by chance I am doing it alone.


5. Be realistic! If there is a lot going on and the stress level is high, skip the baking. Focus on the stuff that is important. Chances are, there will be plenty of time during the kids' winter break when you'll be looking for something to do to pass the time.


6. Plan ahead and pre-measure. If you have a small window of time, get some of the prep work out of the way.


7. Bake and share! Wrap your goodies in a creative way and share with friends and family.


8. Clean up! If I'm lucky, my husband will do the baking with the kids and I'll take the pictures and do the clean-up. Get the family involved and use your strengths.

Great Holiday Baking Ideas and Tips

Hassle-Free Holiday Baking: 6 Easy Days to Perfect Christmas Cookies

Hershey's Kitchen Baking Hints and Tips, including:

• Gifting Ideas


• Cookie Exchange


• 'How To' Videos


• Bake Sale

Holiday Cookie Exchange Checklist

Check out more Countdown to Christmas organizing tips and ideas.

Christmas Countdown: Setting Up a Wrapping Station

Wrapping and Baking Week

How to Set Up a Temporary Wrapping Station

1. Gather your wrapping supplies.
   
2. Organize Your Wrapping Supplies if they aren't already.
   
3. Set up a table that is out of the way or isn't being used on a daily basis. Avoid setting up your wrapping station in a main living space so it won't be disturbed and can be kept up for a period of time. I'm setting up mine in the basement where it won't be disturbed (hopefully) by the kids.
   
4. Have a basket or container to hold your scissors, pens, tape and extra tape for easy access.
   
5. Have another container to hold your name tags and pre-cut ribbon if you'll be using it.


6. Keep your supplies close by but try to keep your table clear so presents can be wrapped easily.


7. Use a Wrapping Checklist to keep track of what gifts need to be wrapped, are wrapped and where they are located. DON'T LEAVE THIS LIST OUT IN THE OPEN for little eyes to see!
   
8. Clean up your space after each use so it's ready to go the next time you have a window of time to wrap a few presents.

If getting the presents wrapped with the kids around is a challenge, schedule a day or night when you can make arrangements for them to be out of the house (or asleep). Swap some time with a friend or enlist the help of the grandparents. If you'll be wrapping solo, send dad and the kids away to a movie or another activity. Host a wrapping party; invite your friends over and share supplies and ideas. Put on some Christmas music, grab a glass of wine and start wrapping.

Not into wrapping? Take advantage of gift wrapping at the stores or malls. You'll pay a fee or a donation, but it'll save you time and the cost of having your own supplies on-hand.

What works for you? For more Works for Me idea, visit We Are THAT Family.

Check out more Countdown to Christmas organizing tips and ideas.

Countdown to Christmas: Wrapping and Baking

This is my fifth week of Countdown To Christmas and it's Wrapping and Baking Week and I'll be focusing my organizing tips around getting those gifts wrapped and finding time to bake your favorite goodies.

Next week is Christmas! I see this as my last week to get some major stuff done. The kids have two days of school next week and Thursday is Christmas Eve. I've started some wrapping. OK, the kids did some, not me, so I'll try to get that done this week while they are at school.

Here is an article I did on Organizing Your Wrapping Supplies. You might want to set up a temporary wrapping station in your home using a folding table or dining room table with all your supplies close by.

Countdown to Christmas: Sending Packages

Cards and Packages Week


Do you have packages that need to be sent out for the Holidays? The United States Postal Service has tons of useful information on their site, including a Holiday Countdown Calendar for Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa. They also have information sending packages to the troops.

You can avoid the post office by ordering boxes to be delivered to your home and pay and print postage online.

The post office will also pick up your packages from your home for free. Time is running out! Here are some tips for sending packages.

1. Make a list of packages and gifts you want to send.
2. Set a deadline that items should be bought and/or made by.
3. Order shipping boxes.
4. Wrap and pack items.
5. Schedule package pick up or take packages to the post office.

Check out more Countdown to Christmas organizing tips and ideas.

Countdown to Christmas: Letter to Santa

Cards and Packages Week

Do your kids send a letter to Santa? My eight-year-old did this year and I made this simple Letter to Santa sheet. She stuck it in her stocking on St. Nick day.

Kids can also send it to the North Pole by mail, of course. The USPS has information on how you can get the North Pole postmark on a letter from Santa. Check out more on the Letters to Santa Program.

They can also go online a let Santa know what they would like at www.christmassantaclaus.com. I also found a site where you can get a letter from Santa, www.greetingsfromsanta.com.

Did you know Santa also accepts pictures from toy catalogs for those who can't write and requests via his lap at various locations? Be creative and make it fun for the kids.

Check out more Countdown to Christmas organizing tips and ideas.

Countdown to Christmas: Cards and Packages

This is my forth week of Countdown To Christmas and it's Cards and Packages Week and I'll be focusing my organizing tips around sending cards and packages.

It just so happens I'm in the process of designing and sending out my cards this week. I would prefer to have them ready to go by this point but that's the way it goes sometimes. While I'm waiting for the cards to arrive in the mail, I'll address and stamp the envelopes. And, I'll be enlisting the help of my children.

Here's some simple steps I've shared on this topic recently.

1. Locate the cards/envelopes you will be sending out. Using a photo card? Decide on the picture you would like to use. Even if you will be getting prints or cards made at a later date, you can still complete steps 2-6 in the meanwhile.
2. Compile your list.
3. Determine the date you will be putting the cards in the mail. Put it on your calendar!-Mine is December 16-a little late this year.
4. Create a family letter if you will be including one.
5. Address envelopes. Break it down into smaller batches.
6. Buy stamps before the post office gets super busy. I ordered mine via the mail-super easy!
7. Stamp and send the cards out by your target date.

I like to use computer generated labels. I have my address book on my computer and so printing address labels for Christmas cards takes no time at all. Throughout the year I stay on top of updating the database. You may prefer keeping track of your addresses on paper. Here's a simple Christmas Holiday Card List for that.

Countdown to Christmas: Decorations

Home Week

Quick Organizing Tips for Decorations

• If there are decorations that you do not use or just don’t have time to put up, eliminate them from your collection. Donate items to charity or to your favorite college student.
• Plan a decorating party with the family. Play your favorite holiday CDs and break out the cocoa. Make it an event you look forward to, not dread.
• As you take down decorations designate a box for each room in the house and label it with the room name and its contents. This will make the following year’s decorating a breeze.
• Use heavy cardboard or those plastic holders to wrap and store your lights. Taking time to do this when taking down your decorations will save you time and stress next year!

Check out more Countdown to Christmas organizing tips and ideas.

Clutter-Free Gift Giving

It's another Works-For-Me Wednesday. I've talked about this idea before around Christmas time, but it's an idea that works for me throughout the year! For more works-for-me ideas, visit We Are THAT Family.

I love giving Clutter-Free Gifts! Clutter-free gift giving is the act of gifting that does not add more stuff (often unneeded) to the recipients' homes. With clutter-free gift (CFG) giving, you can make the move away from the "materialistic focus" of gift-giving to a "love focus".

I divide the ideas into 5 sections:

• Experiences (family weekend at a water park, a day with grandma and grandpa at the zoo and a movie, a romantic weekend away with your spouse)


• Donations (give to you local food pantry as a family, sponsor a needy family during a holiday, make a donation in honor of a recipient)


• Consumables (gift cards, fruit of the month, certificate for cleaning services, memberships)


• Time (offer to watch a busy mom's kid while she take a day off or does some Christmas shopping), start a family night)


• Expressions of Love and Gratitude (letter, photo books, home-made calendar, coupon booklet)

If you like the idea of giving and getting less stuff, talk with family and friends about the ideas. What are you favorite CFG ideas?

I have shared over 100 CFG idea in my free guide book, Clutter-Free Gift Giving: Giving Love, Not Stuff.

Find out how you can get your copy here!

Check out my Countdown to Christmas organizing ideas.

Prepare Your Home for the Holidays: 4 Tasks You Can Do Now To Ease The Stress Later

Home Week

Previously, I talked about how it was important to prepare you heart for the Holidays. This month I'm touching on how you can prepare you home. Planning ahead and getting your home in shape before the heart of the busy Holiday season arrives can help to reduce some of the stress. I cover four areas that can be tackled early on.

Declutter
Take time before you put up your holiday decorations to spend time decluttering your living spaces. Grab a box and walk through one room at a time. Gather items that belong elsewhere and return those items to their homes. Use another box or container to gather items that can be donated. Have a trash bag close by to toss the unwanted stuff. It's much easier and more enjoyable to decorate a space that has been decluttered.

Cleaning
Make a list of cleaning tasks you would like done. Perhaps you can list them for each room of the house. Don't forget to give yourself a deadline. Do a little each day or week. Remember the refrigerator and oven. It's also a good idea to schedule the carpet cleaning or cleaning services. Read more on Holiday cleaning HERE.

Linens and Bedding
If you are going to be hosting dinners, gatherings or houseguests, take care of the linens and bedding ahead of time. Are the table clothes, napkins, guest towels and bedding all laundered and in good shape? Don't leave these for last minute surprises and last minute stress.

Stock the Pantry
Why not make sure your have all the necessities and basics on hand now? What baking supplies, beverages and nonperishable food items do you need? Take some time to make a shopping list before you go to the store to avoid multiple time-wasting trips.

Don't wait until the last minute to do everything. Start now and do a little as you go. Too often holiday stress is caused by doing so much in a small window of time. Stick to those tasks that support the focus and spirit of your family's Holiday season.

For more Works-For-Me Ideas, visit We Are THAT Family.

Check out more Countdown to Christmas organizing tips and ideas.

Countdown to Christmas: Home Week

This is my third week of Countdown To Christmas and it's Home Week and I'll be focusing my organizing tips around decluttering, cleaning and decorating.

I like to plan ahead and getting our home into shape before the heart of the busy Holiday season arrives. This allows me to get many tasks around the house out of the way early on. This helps to reduce some of the stress because I'm not rushed trying to get everything done at the last minute. I'm able to focus my energies on those things that are important to me and my family, like reflecting on the gift of Jesus, enjoying time with friends and watching a few Christmas movies.

The first task for me this week is to make a list of the cleaning tasks that need to be done by Friday before our guests arrive on Saturday. Then, I'll decide when I'll do each task. It does no good to make a to-do list without determining the when. I'll also be sure to enlist the help of family members.

I'm going to break my cleaning tasks down by room. Here's my Simple Household Cleaning Checklist. You can also organizing your cleaning by tasks (vacuum, dust, windows, etc).

So this week I'll do the Big Clean and maintain that throughout the month.

Countdown to Christmas: Online Shopping

Shopping Week

Skip the stores, crowds and long lines and do your shopping online. I found a helpful article over at MSN Money on Savvy Tips for Shopping Online. It covers shopping safely, special offers and best prices.

When I order items online, I keep all email confirmations in a folder labeled "Orders" in Outlook. I also keep track of my purchases with my Internet / Catalog Shopping List.

I love shopping online because:

• I can find great deals without paying for shipping many times.
• It saves me time!
• I can find items that I can't find in stores in my area.
• The variety is endless!

Countdown To Christmas: Shopping Week

This is my second week of Countdown To Christmas and it's Shopping Week.

Before you head out to the stores, take time to make lists. I have a few options for you so you can choose which form works best for you.

• Holiday Shopping List

It also pays to think about your budget ahead of time.

• Holiday Budget Sheet

Still deciding what gifts to give? Take some time to brainstorm ideas. Keep jotting ideas down throughout the year.

If you are cooking or baking for the Holidays, be sure to determine your menu and shopping list before food shopping.

• Grocery Shopping List
  
• Shopping List with Menu

Thanksgiving Organized

Did Thanksgiving sneak up on you this year? Here are some quick tips to help you get organized and ready for Thanksgiving, even if you are just getting started this week.

Cleaning

• Focus on the areas your guests will be using such as the kitchen, dining room and bathroom.
  
• Don't forget to straighten up the coat closet and have extra hangers ready to go.
  
• Make a checklist of the cleaning tasks that are a priority and get them done.
• If possible, assign family member tasks.

Shopping

• Make your menu and then your shopping list. Don't forget to think about a budget.
  
• Use my Thanksgiving Shopping List with Menu Form


• Determine what day you will be doing your shopping.

Decorating and Finishing Touches

• Again, focus on those areas that your guests will be using. Decorate after you clean and declutter.


• Inspect the dishes, serving pieces, utensils, glassware and linens to make sure there are no surprises.


• Set the table the day before. Get your center pieces and candles set.

Planning for the Big Day

• Create a cooking schedule for the day. Make sure you have allowed enough time for your turkey to defrost! It can take 3-4 days for the bird to thaw, depending on it's size. Visit Betty to find out how to thaw, cook and carve a turkey.


• When entertaining guests, I like to be ready 30 minutes before arrival time. This gives me time to relax, be prepared for early arrivals and to be able to focus my attention on guests when they arrive.
• If things start to feel stressful, stop and remember your focus of this celebration.
• Enlist the help of family and friends. Have guests offered to bring something to contribute to the meal? Take them up on their offer - it'll help you and they'll feel great, too.
  

Countdown to Christmas: Holiday Christmas Binder

Preparation Week

You can create you own Holiday or Christmas Binder to help you stay organized before and during this busy time of year. It's really simple.

1. Grab a 1 inch 3-ring binder and 6-8 divider tabs.
2. Label your tabs with the categories that I laid out HERE. Or, you might also come up with your own categories. Add a large envelope or a plastic page protector to store receipts.
3. Print out the forms that I have and will provide you throughout my Christmas Countdown and keep them behind the corresponding tab.
4. Keep anything related to the Holidays in your Binder so you know where to find that list, menu or form when you need it. Take it with you when you go shopping.

Countdown to Christmas: 5 Ways to Reduce Holiday Stress

Preparation Week

1. Don't expect perfection.
2. Ask for help.
3. Stick with what works for you and your family.
4. Do less and do it better.
5. Focus on your priorities and values.

Countdown to Christmas Recap

I'm currently doing my Countdown to Christmas: Six Weeks of Organizing Tips for the Holiday Season. For the rest of November and December, I will be walking you through tips and ideas on how you can take the stress out of the Holidays and Christmas through a bit of easy organization and planning.

Each week I will focus on one area. This week is Preparation week. So far I've talked about reflecting on your values and traditions now, before you are in the midst of the busy Holiday season. You can get my Holiday Values and Traditions Worksheet HERE.

If you typically feel behind with getting it all in and want to avoid last minute stress, you'll want to take some time to Get Your Holiday Calendar into Shape.

Looking for some gift ideas? How about clutter-free gifts this year? When you subscribe to my monthly newsletter, you'll receive my popular guide, Clutter-Free Gift Giving Guide: Giving Love, Not Stuff.

For more Works For Me Ideas, visit We Are THAT Family.

Countdown to Christmas: Get Your Calendar into Shape

Preparation Week

It's time to take a look at the calendar. This is so helpful in planning because it helps you get sense of how much time you really have to do the all the things you want to do for this Holiday Season.

1. Grab your calendar or planner and take a look at November and December. Or, you can print my November and December 2009 Countdown to Christmas Planning Sheets and keep them organized with your own personal Holiday or Christmas folder or binder as I talked about HERE.


2. Make sure you have upcoming events on your calendar, such as church programs, children's' school programs, parties and gatherings, cookie exchanges, planned shopping dates, etc.
   
3. Now think about the tasks you would like to do such as send out cards and packages, get the carpets cleaned, get haircuts for the kids, take a family photo, etc. Make a list of appointments that you have to make and once those are confirmed, enter them on your calendar. Book your babysitters now!!


4. If you are using your own calendar or planner, enter my Countdown to Christmas topics for each week. If you are using my planning sheets, they are already printed for you.


5. Take a look at the empty spaces you have left on your calendar. Is it enough for all those Holiday things you want to do? Make sure you have time for the most important ones, the rest is extra. Review what you wrote for you have-to-do traditions on the Holiday Values and Traditions Worksheet. If you skipped this step, go back and do it.
   

Countdown to Christmas: Preparation Week

This week is the first week of my Countdown to Christmas and it's Preparation Week. It's time to get your mind, heart and calendar in shape.

I find it helpful to time time to reflect on the Holidays before they arrive. I touched on this in my recent article, Prepare Your Heart and Mind for the Holidays.

To go even further, I've come up with a few more questions to consider.

• What three things are most important to you during the Holidays?
• What are you have-to-do traditions?
• What traditions would you consider letting go
• What stressors do you want to eliminate from your Holidays?
• What would you like to do different than from last year?
• What would you like to do the same as last year?

You can also find the same questions on my Holiday Values and Traditions Worksheet.

If you ready to be super-organized this Holiday Season, grab a folder or 3-ring binder and start creating your personal Holiday or Christmas organizing tool. Use it to keep all your forms (I'll have more for you) and lists in one place. I'll more about this on Friday.

Countdown to Christmas: Six Weeks of Organizing Tips for the Holiday Season

Does the holiday season overwhelm you or seem to come at your full force? Do you just not feel prepared as you would like to be? I want to help!

For the next six weeks I will be covering an area or topic to help you prepare (your home and your heart) for the holidays. Here's a sneak peak:

Week 1 (Nov 16): Preparation

Week 2 (Nov 23): Shopping
Week 3 (Nov 30): Home: declutter, clean, decorate

Week 4 (Dec 7): Cards and Packages

Week 5 (Dec 14): Wrapping and Baking

Week 6 (Dec 21): Final Touches

Reflection

I hope you will follow along with me as I share tips, ideas, forms and checklists to help make your holidays and Christmas more meaniful and less stressful. I hope your share your ideas and questions, too.