December 6, 2007
Tips for Surviving the Rest of the Holiday Season
The last of the Thanksgiving leftovers are gone and the season for bells to be jingling and jangling is now upon us. Although nothing can totally alleviate the stress this time of year often brings, if your nerves are jangling right along with the bells here are some tips that might help.
TIP #1 - ASK FOR HELP: Now is not the time to act like Wonder Woman or Superman. Now is the time to ask for - and accept - help. In the best of times, getting organized can be difficult. During the holidays it can be downright impossible without the help of family and friends. Yes, it does mean giving up some control, but you will actually be giving those you ask to help a wonderful gift. Believe it or not, people like to be asked to lend a hand; it makes them feel valued and valuable and takes some of the load off of you.
TIP #2 - GIVE IT A REST: Now is the time to give yourself
permission to kick back a little bit! There are some organizing tasks that you
should stick with
even in the midst of holiday chaos like putting things away
when you're done with them, regularly opening the mail, doing small
chores now so they don't become huge ones later. Holding off on the
bigger projects like de-cluttering your closets, purging your files,
reorganizing the kitchen, etc. until January when you have more time,
can devote more attention and may be more motivated to attack them is a
smart way to avoid any extra, unnecessary stress during the holidays.
TIP #3 - THINGS TO DO: If you don't already use some kind of daily to-do list, now is the perfect time to start. If you do, keep it up! Jot down reminders, tasks and notes as you think of them and check things off as you finish them. Be sure to refer to your list throughout the day.
TIP #4 - PLACES TO GO: Don't force yourself to go to holiday gatherings or events you won't enjoy. It'll increase your stress level, clutter up your schedule and take time away from things you'd rather be doing or things that are more important to you. When declining invitations, a simple thank you note or phone call is a good way to let the host or hostess know you appreciate them thinking of you.
TIP #5 - DOUBLE-UP: When possible, do tasks in bulk/batches. For example, do all of your baking at the same time (you can freeze the items you won't use right away); get all of your holiday cards written at the same time, etc. The initial investment of time and effort will pay off.
TIP #6 - MAKE A LIST AND STICK TO IT: To avoid emptying your
bank account, maxing out your credit cards or going overboard on gifts, make
a list
of who you're buying for and how much you want to spend per
person before you start shopping. Stick with those guidelines because
once you start making exceptions it can be a slippery slope and a
short ride into debt or wiping out your bank account.
TIP #7 - GIFT GIVING: If you'll be celebrating the holidays away from home, try having presents you buy - especially if you're shopping online - shipped directly to your destination. This avoids you having to re-ship or travel with them.
TIP #8 - GIFT GETTING: If your cup already "runneth over", think about asking others to give you experiences - a restaurant gift certificate, movie tickets, a massage - instead of things. Or ask people to make donations in your name to causes you deem worthy. Websites like "Network for Good" and "Alternative Gifts International" let you create a list of your favorite charities and inform your friends and family about it so they can make donations on your behalf.
TIP #9 - HOLIDAY CARDS: If the thought of sending holiday cards in December makes your head spin, why not hold off until January and send Happy New Year greetings instead! You'll have one less task to do this month and your cards won't get lost in the shuffle of all the other mail people receive in December. When you receive cards, take a minute to check and see that you have the senders' current addresses in your address book. Keeping your records up-to-date will prevent returned mail as well as the hassle and stress of trying to locate those last few addresses you need before dropping your cards in the mailbox.
TIP #10 - TAKE TIME FOR YOU: Regardless of how busy your schedule gets, be sure to set aside time for yourself each day. Stepping away from the hustle and bustle of the season - even if only for a few minutes - will help you recharge, relax, and reward yourself for all you've done.
Here's to you and an uncluttered, meaningful and happy holiday season!
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MILLER ORGANIZING. All rights reserved.
14 Stuyvesant Oval
NYC, NY 10009