Feeling overwhelmed by the holidays? We can help! Here are some tips to help guide you through a simplified, stress-free holiday season. Well, almost stress-free...unfortunately we can't de-clutter your house guests!
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Be Prepared
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- Create a holiday planner. Use a basic multi-subject notebook. Create sections for gift lists, holiday card lists, menu planning, decorating, coupons, etc. Bring it with you everywhere, so you can always reference it or add to it.
- Schedule realistically. You don't have to say "yes" to every invitation. Leave time for yourself and stick to the routines that keep you stress-free, like going to the gym and getting a good nights' sleep.
- Do a wardrobe check. Make sure you have the perfect party outfit. Stock up on a few key pieces that can be mixed and matched.
- Hire a cleaner. Arrange to have a cleaner come a few days before your guests. Then you'll only have to worry about doing some last minute tidying.
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Shop Smart
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- Start shopping early. Many retailers are already offering holiday discounts.
- Do your homework. Make a list and check it twice. Include a budget. This will cut down on wasted trips to the mall and over-spending.
- Shop Online. Online retailers allow you to shop around and find the best prices. Many retailers are now providing free shipping. Visit our Holiday Resources page for some coupons and gift suggestions.
- Shop locally. You can find unique gifts and get personalized service, without the hassle of long lines and messy stores. Many local stores also provide gift wrapping and shipping services.
- If you have to go to the mall...try to shop on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings when stores are less crowded.
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Easy Giving
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- Buy in bulk. If you are attending several holiday parties, or have a long list of people to buy for, consider picking up a case of wine or chocolates, or making a big batch of cookies and freezing them. You can buy some nice boxes and ribbon at a craft store to personalize the gifts.
- Color-code your wrapping paper. Dedicate a specific color or print to each family member. This will avoid confusion. You can buy wrapping paper in bulk from Amazon.com.
- Secret Snowman. If you have a large family, suggest picking names from a hat, so that each person only has to buy one gift. If you are spread out across the country, have one person pick names from a hat and email people with their recipients.
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| Hassle-free Entertaining |
- Plan your holiday menu ahead of time. Shop for dry and canned ingredients in advance. Find recipes online that can be made in advance and re-heated. This will allow more time to spend enjoying the party instead of in the kitchen.
- Create a theme and get guests involved. How about a wine and cheese party? Ask each guest to bring a bottle of their favorite wine and a cheese. You'll only need to provide the crackers and fruit. Or, host a game night and ask everyone to bring their favorite board game.
- Go potluck. Assign everyone a dish, or let people pick their favorite thing to bring. You can fill in the gaps, but won't have to prepare the entire meal.
- Easy clean up. Buy some inexpensive plastic containers and send everyone home with leftovers.
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Need some help?
We have many organizing services available to help you throughout the holiday season and beyond...
- Personal Shopping - just don't have time to shop? Let us do it for you!
- Home Organizing - In just a few hours, we can transform your home into a calm oasis, free from clutter and ready for company.
- Holiday Decorating - We can decorate your space with holiday flair. And afterwards, pack it all away in an organized manner, so you'll be ready for next year.
Happy Holidays,
Sarah, Kate, and the Organizing Boston team |
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