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Chaos Eradicated! Aggravation Abolished! Overwhelm Obliterated!
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Greetings!
Hello again. The holidays are almost here and with the following tips and ideas there will be plenty of time to not only get ready, but enjoy the process. (Wouldn't it be nice to look forward to Christmas or Hanukkah.) Planning ahead, staying organized, and taking care of yourself along the way; these are the keys to enjoying this holiday season!
If you are hosting the meal this year or are planning to order the food, order it now. There's no time like the present and getting this done now will help you relax! If you are cooking the feast, there are several great web sites that offer menus and other help. Epicurious.com for the novice host as well as the veteran who just wants something new this year. Some other favorites are The Food Network, or Allrecipes.com. Read more...
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Power Tips from Anna
Gift Giving
Plan your shopping strategy, make a gift list and your shopping schedule. The best hours to shop in the malls are 9-11AM, 2-5PM during the week, and early on the weekends.
If you shop online, create a file in your email folders for all of the confirmation and delivery information. You may also want to create a basic spread sheet to track your purchases so there are no surprises.
Wrap as you go. Create a spot where you can set up a wrapping area. Two of my clients use their pool tables. Waiting to the last minute takes the pleasure out of your preparations.
Some of our favorite gift suggestions are:
- Season passes to attractions like Longwood Gardens or tickets to a play or sporting event are always well received.
- Gift certificates for itunes or bookstores or restaurants stand out as uniquely thoughtful gifts and one size fits all. Groupon has some great dining opportunities.
- Theme gifts, give everyone a gift relating to a theme:
- Bedtime Theme-pajamas, slippers, robes, eye shades, ear plugs, white noise machines
- Paper Theme: books, stationary, monogrammed napkins, coasters
- The gift that keeps on giving, three or six months of wine, cheese or flowers would be appreciated by your gift recipients.
Remember the gift of organizing is available for you or a loved one, you can pick up a copy ofthe book I have co-authored with the some other experts in my industry,
Get Organized Today, at the following locations:
- AnnaOrganizesU.com
- The Organizing Consultant Gift Certificates are available at AnnaOrganizesu.com as well. (Remember a great gift to ask for is organizing. Make life easy for those giving you gifts!)
 Self Care- Taking care of yourself as the holidays approach means putting your hair appointments or massage on the calendar now before your favorite stylist or masseur gets booked.
- Remember to keep up your exercise program to de-stress and keep off the holiday pounds. You'll go into the New Year happier and thinner!
Organizing your home for the Season
Now is the time to schedule carpet cleaners, window cleaners, or an extra house cleaning from your cleaning team. A clean and organized home cuts down on stress and will make you feel you can face anything!
If you have some clutter spots that need attention begin by sorting one area at time at a time. A simple remedy is two boxes; one marked To Keep, one marked Trash. As you sort through the To Keep box, move items into Action Files.
When decorating look at all the items that you are not using, this is the best time to purge. Your unused decorations deserve to be in a home where they can be displayed and appreciated.
Schedule time to run your holiday errands and bundle your stops around certain geographic areas. Staying organized is easy and fun.
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News:
- I had the opportunity to speak to 25 real estate professionals earlier this month about services to help their clients better prepare to sell their houses and simplify the moving process at a minimal expense.
- On January 18th I will be presenting, "Help! My House is a MESS!" at Belly Pilates in Bryn Mawr, for more information, click here.
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Donation Station
Compuers, Printers and Audio Visual Electronics
Team Children, located in Trooper refurbishes computers for schools and kids that cannot afford them. They are cheerful, helpful and very appreciative!
Women's Clothing and Home Decor
Chic & Simple in Berwyn buys your better women's clothing and accessories. I love this because they buy it outright, much better than consigning since you don't have to go back and look for your unsold items or wait for a check in the mail. They also buy your home decor items, she is looking for fun and "charming" items, take a visit and you will see what she means!
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New Tools
Really Useful Boxes One of my clients is getting some of these in December to store files!
Frontgate.com, The Cover Store & Organize.com can meet all of your storage options for holiday decorations, while you are in the decorating mode, keep future storage in mind.
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Recent and Ongoing Projects
Getting Rid of Excess Furniture- One of my clients had several pieces of excess furniture from her and her mother-in-law's house. We got together with an auction house, they reviewed everything, picked it all up and now all she has to wait for is her check. We reclaimed one third of her garage. This is a great way to get rid of things that have some value. Although this is a great solution, we need to keep in mind that our price expectations and reality might be very different.
Elementary School Classroom- Since the end of school in June I have been working with a client to eliminate the visual clutter in her classroom, the reviews are in...and everyone loves it, kids, parents and fellow teachers!
Your project can be next!
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Cont.
Keep perspective and BREATHE, it's only a few days of celebration and then it's over. If you have a friend or relative with a prickly personality- anticipate it, then shrug it off. Admit it, we all have one in our family. The holidays will come and go before you know it.
To all of my clients who have gift closets- you know who you are...what would Anna say?
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Have a happy, healthy, stress free season,
Anna Sicalides
The Organizing Consultant LLC Back To Top
Please forward this newsletter to anyone you know who may appreciate it.
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