1. Automate your card list
A good way to store you Christmas card addresses is in a spreadsheet. Use separate columns for each item in the address such as first name, last name, street address, city, province and postal code. Use mail merge with your word processor to create address labels. You can also create columns on your spreadsheet to track gift ideas, friends’ children’s names, ages, birthdays, etc.2. Have a gift-wrap center
Keep a storage bin for wrapping supplies under your bed or in a closet. Include wrapping paper, scissors, tape, name tags, bows and any other supplies you might need. Do not borrow from these supplies for other areas of your home. If you have to search for a gift-wrap supply each time you need to use it, that’s not organized or easy.3. Ask questions
Ask people what they want for gifts. Don’t get stressed trying to guess when you can ask them. You’re more likely to give them something they really need. To keep the surprise factor, ask for a list to chose from or get some general suggestions and surprise them with a specific item.4. Shop on-line
I hate shopping in general and gift shopping specifically. One can stand in long lines and go from store to store looking for an item in stock; or you can shop online. Often, your favorite store has an on-line version.You have a choice, go to your doorstep to retrieve the gift and spend the rest of the time drinking eggnog and watching holiday movies, or you can fight for parking, sweat in line, get frustrated by items not in stock.
5. Ask for help
You are not a superhero. If you are, you don’t need to do everything yourself. Delegate a few tasks to willing family members. Perhaps you can swap errands with friends. You will stand in line at the post office if she will pick up your recipe ingredients at the supermarket.6. Christmas Celebrations for Christmas Card Lists
Save the envelopes from this year’s Christmas cards for Christmas celebrations. Put them in the box with your unused cards. Use the addresses on them to develop your card list next year. Everything will be in one box and easy to reference.
7. The Perfect Host
Unexpected guests show up bearing gifts and you have nothing to give them in return. Now what? Buy a dozen boxes of nice chocolates at the start of the holiday season, wrap them, keep them in a cool place and give them as hostess presents for unplanned gift exchanges. Don’t want to give chocolate? Try wine or white pillar candles instead.
Unexpected guests show up bearing gifts and you have nothing to give them in return. Now what? Buy a dozen boxes of nice chocolates at the start of the holiday season, wrap them, keep them in a cool place and give them as hostess presents for unplanned gift exchanges. Don’t want to give chocolate? Try wine or white pillar candles instead.
8. Pre-test new recipes
If you’re planning a big holiday party, that’s not the time to test a new recipe. If it doesn’t work, you’ll hear about it forever. Test drive a new recipe before the big day.9. One for All
If wrapping presents for family and friends makes you feel like you’re working the gift wrap station at a busy department store (all sorts of paper, bows and ribbons strewn everywhere!), it’s time to bring some order to the chaos. Have a signature wrapping style, for example, always wrap presents in silver paper with matching silver bows and name tags. It’s not only perfect for holidays, but for birthdays and weddings too. Most important, it streamlines the process.
If wrapping presents for family and friends makes you feel like you’re working the gift wrap station at a busy department store (all sorts of paper, bows and ribbons strewn everywhere!), it’s time to bring some order to the chaos. Have a signature wrapping style, for example, always wrap presents in silver paper with matching silver bows and name tags. It’s not only perfect for holidays, but for birthdays and weddings too. Most important, it streamlines the process.
10. Record what works and what does not
It can be as simple as a list or as complex as a diary. This can include activities, recipes and anything else that makes up your holiday season. Next year, when you are stretched thin, you should automatically know what is worth investing time and effort in and what is not. This is especially true when it comes time to put away your holiday decorations. This can eliminate stress because you have a written record of what type of organizational techniques to avoid and what has worked in years past.
It can be as simple as a list or as complex as a diary. This can include activities, recipes and anything else that makes up your holiday season. Next year, when you are stretched thin, you should automatically know what is worth investing time and effort in and what is not. This is especially true when it comes time to put away your holiday decorations. This can eliminate stress because you have a written record of what type of organizational techniques to avoid and what has worked in years past.
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