February 14, 2010
How Do Your Stay Organized During The Holidays?
I feel like between shopping, wrapping, decorating, baking, cooking, cleaning i feel like i can’t balance time for everything… how do you do it? Do you do things on separate days or all at once? any tips?
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Comments on How Do Your Stay Organized During The Holidays?
There are several hints that I’ve learned not to ignore. When the “easy listening” station turns to Christmas carols, it’s time to start “winter cleaning” the house and buying the presents and cards.
I enlist the help of my husband with anything involving furniture, mega-germs, or food shopping (he’s better at that than I am – he doesn’t shop off-list unless it’s very warranted like I forgot to list the OJ). I insist that he helps me write out the cards, in LEGIBLE handwriting, and that he finds and unpacks all the decorations and that we decorate together.
I go to the gym extra religiously during this time, but exercise more lightly. It really helps. I increase the coffee/soda, but decrease the sugar intake. Works for me.
I keep my bed unmade for impromptu naps or a book read in bed for 30 minutes of peace. I spend more time giving the plants showers, and taking good care of them because the air is dry and they need it, and because it helps me relax.
Go with the things you need done the most first like deep cleaning before putting up any decorations.If you are having company decide where they will sleep and get that ready.Then move on to the kitchen and bath,the rest can go on a day by day basis or just shut the door.Then when you have done that decorate as you go,oh yes always do it on different days so you will have time for yourself,not be stressed out you will find the two weeks before Christmas has the busiest days but just stagger it along and plan to sit down by the 20.I start on the 1st and am done with it all and just waiting on the day.Stress fee and happy.Of course I shop early so I have weeks to wrap and you don’t have to do it all at one time.Maybe that will work for you too.
I make a Master To Do schedule. Anything that is on a rotation like ongoing chores, even people I need to talk with, gets assigned a day of the week. Simple. It takes all the worry out of your head and puts it on paper. You will sleep better and can focus on the holiday stuff easier without getting buried in the everyday. I think you could even use this principle with the holiday responsibilities, too. Give everything a spot and then all you have to do in the morning is look at your list and do what it says. Most of the stress we feel is related the MANAGEMENT of our responsibilities. The jobs themselves aren’t so awful if we know we have a place for them.
Good luck! I have master to do lists in my planner(see source) or you can make your own!