Planning for Stress-Free Holidays

I know what you're thinking: I can't believe it's already November and the holidays are right around the corner. The good news is that with a little advance planning, AKA organization, this time of the year can actually be fun and relatively stress-free.

Here are some ideas to get you thinking:

DISCUSS PRIORITIES WITH YOUR FAMILY
Before things get hectic, hold a family meeting and talk about what is most important to each family member. Ask each person to name one activity or event they would like to do during the holidays to make it extra special. Then be sure to write it on a planning calendar so it's not forgotten. Make a commitment that everything else is secondary. Your children will always remember spending time with you baking homemade cookies and feeling loved and special long after most holiday parties are forgotten.

ORGANIZED GIFT GIVING
Set up a "Gift Ideas" file and jot down ideas or drop in pages from catalogs throughout the year. If you're really organized, you could even have a form and list each person's name, gift idea, where to purchase, the occasion, and date needed. Then when it's time to shop, all you have to do is pull out your file and half the work is done. Clutter-free ideas for gifts include giving an actual experience - something they love doing - rather than something to unwrap. Gift certificates for restaurants, events, a massage, or even chores are also appreciated by most people.

THE PERFECT GIFT FOR PEOPLE THAT DON'T NEED ANYTHING
As a professional organizer, I'm inside a lot of homes and one thing I often see is that most people have far more belongings than they could ever use. One client has given her friends and family strict orders not to buy her any more gifts to clutter up her home. Instead, she provides them with a list of her favorite charities and asks that they donate a monetary gift in her name rather buying her something she neither needs nor wants. So if you're one of those people who doesn't need anything, this could be a great idea to pass along to your family and friends.

SPEED DECORATING
If you enjoy putting up a lot of holiday decorations but have trouble remembering from year to year where they go, take pictures of your handiwork. Simply store the photos with your holiday decorations and the next time you put them up, refer to the pictures and save yourself a bundle of time. Instead, spend the time sipping hot chocolate with marshmallows, taking a relaxing bubble bath by candlelight, or snuggling with your significant other in front of the fireplace.

LISTS, LISTS, LISTS!!
Unless you get an adrenaline high from stress or have an extremely good memory, you're going to have to make lists to stay on track. Plan for the holidays just like you would any other event. Start by making notes in a planner, spiral notebook or on your computer. Have lists for various categories such as special meals, gifts to buy, cards to send, errands to run, etc. Write out a TO DO list each day with a manageable number of tasks and begin early. Tackling the holidays in bite size chunks is much easier than trying to do it all in a short period of time.

DON'T FORGET TO ASK FOR HELP
Even though you may be tempted to think you can do it all with a smile, realize that you're only human and ask for help. Involve your family in decorating the house, writing out cards and running errands. Bribe them with chocolate if you have to. Hire a babysitter to watch the kids while you make appetizers or wrap gifts, or barter with a neighbor to watch each other's kids when shopping for gifts.