Dear   ,    

As we reach the end of another year, we find ourselves dealing with tragic news while planning holiday celebrations with family and friends.  Perhaps this is the time we need the holidays the most, when we need to hold on to the things that mean the most to us - our traditions, our community, and - most importantly - the people in our lives. 

When I talk about organizing, decluttering and time management, the reasons I think they're important are not just to make our homes or offices look better (although that can feel really good), and not just to be able to function more effectively (although that can make our lives easier in so many ways), but because decluttering and organizing our spaces allows us to be able to USE those spaces:

• to invite our families home
• to welcome old and new friends into our lives
• to enjoy our hobbies and passions instead of being overwhelmed by our stuff.

As you rush through these last few days before Christmas and prepare for the new year ahead, be sure to take time for the really important things in your life.  Happy Holidays to all, and here's wishing you a peaceful and Happy New Year!

- Maryann Murphy 

• RE-USE - Re-gifting is not a bad thing if you won't use it and the item would be enjoyed by the new giftee! 
• That omelet pan, crepe maker or fondue pot that you never use may make a great gift for the cook or party-giver in your life.  Maybe add in some fresh ingredients to make it special
• Donate the item to a local shelter, perhaps with a financial donation in the person's name
• Donate the item to the Salvation Army, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Goodwill Industries, or some other charity that can sell it to support their charitable work
• Re-use ribbons, bows and boxes. A strong tradition in many homes, make saving them a part of the process when opening your presents.  I have several bags "at the ready" when we open our presents so we can sort them by type or color as we go.
•   RECYCLE - An important part of the recycling chain is to purchase items made from recycled products. 
  • If you send holiday cards, look for recycled content.  For most paper products, but many other products as well, look for a symbol indicating it was made with recycled content. 
  • Don't forget to recycle your holiday cards, but separate out the ones with sparkles - they should not be recycled with other paper but can be re-used by making them into gift tags for next year.

 Some Final Holiday Organizing Tips  

• Be sure to set aside enough time for relaxing, enjoying holiday music, attending special holiday events, and enjoying the ones you love.
• If you're still shopping, consider putting your shopping lists onto your smartphone in a note-taking app (iPhone's "Notes", "Evernote", etc.).  I'm never without my phone, so having the list there makes it easy for me to remember what I want to buy.  Make separate lists for groceries and gifts to make them easier to use.
• If you don't celebrate Christmas, plan something fun for the day anyway - it's a national holiday, so enjoy the time off from work and celebrate in your own way!
• Before you take down your holiday decorations, take a photo of each room's arrangement to make it easier to set up next year. 
• When you put your holiday decorations away:
• Put "like things" together in separate boxes (kitchen items in one, stationery supplies in another, etc.).  I sort decorations by which room they belong in.  This saves a lot of time the next year.
• Make a list of what goes into each box, then number the boxes and use your index to tell you which box has which items (this way, you don't have to label each box in a lot of detail).
• Donate any decorations that you didn't use this year and/or don't love anymore. 
• Make a list of anything that needs to be replaced before next year.  You can buy them right after Christmas (usually at a very discounted price), or wait until next year, but make the list now to avoid an unpleasant surprise at the last minute next year).
• Have a wonderful holiday!