December 27, 2007
Post-holiday Organizing Tips
The gifts have been opened; there's candle wax on your best tablecloth and the eating of leftovers has begun. Before your thoughts turn to the new year just ahead, believe it or not, now is the perfect time to start getting organized for next year's holidays! Here are some tips to make the next time around easier, less stressful and more fun:
TIP #1 - NEXT YEAR'S BUDGET: You probably already have a pretty good idea of what you spent on this holiday season. While it's still fresh in your mind, use that knowledge to establish a budget for next year's holiday season. Include the cost of gifts, gift-wrapping materials, cards, postage, shipping costs, traveling expenses, special meals, holiday clothing, baking supplies and anything else relevant to the way you celebrate the holidays. Set up a holiday savings account and arrange for monthly direct deposits so you'll be flush when the time comes next year.
TIP #2 - MAKE A HOLIDAY CARD LIST: If you don't already have one, make a list of people who sent you holiday cards. If you already have a list, update names and addresses to the list you have. Add anyone else you want to send cards to next year. If you use a computer, it's the perfect place to keep your list because making changes, corrections and additions are so easy. Tally your list. Go shopping for next year's cards at this year’s post-holiday sales.
TIP #3 - REPLENISH WRAPPING SUPPLIES: Check your inventory of wrapping supplies: papers, bows, ribbons and tags. Buy whatever you need now at huge discounts in most stores. Don't forget to buy a gift-wrap organizer(s) if you need a place to store your new purchases. Better yet, you'll save hours of wrapping time next year by using only gift boxes and bags, rather than wrapping paper. You can also find these on sale at deep discounts this time of year.
TIP #4 - DECORATIONS: Make sure you have enough storage
containers
for ornaments, lights and decorations. Many people add to their holiday
decorations each year, but forget they need storage bins for the
additional items. Since storage containers usually go on sale this time
of year, it's a good time to stock up.
TIP #5 - KEEP TRACK OF WHO GOT WHAT: Make a list of what you purchased or made for this year’s gift recipients so you don't repeat yourself next year.
TIP #6 - SHOP NOW FOR NEXT YEAR'S GIFTS: Start your shopping list now for gifts for next year's holidays, birthdays and special events. Shopping the post-holiday clearance sales can save you lots of money, but don't buy items you don’t have on your list. Just because it’s on sale doesn’t mean you should buy it. A great deal is only a great deal if it actually serves a purpose! Otherwise, it's just unnecessary clutter.
TIP #7 - KEEP IT A SECRET: Store next year’s gifts on a high shelf - or
someplace else appropriate - that is out of the way of curious eyes.
Use a separate cardboard box or plastic storage bin for each person,
but – to avoid suspicion – don’t write names on the boxes. Instead, use
any kind of coding system that works for you. For instance, write “1”
on a box for the oldest child, write “2” on a box for the second oldest
child, etc. Or color code boxes using each person’s favorite color. For
instance, blue for Uncle John, red for Grandma, green for Father,
purple for Sally, etc. Make a list of what is in each box, but remember
to keep it someplace that can’t be easily found by anyone but you.
Don’t put it on your computer unless you can control/limit access to
that information. Designate a separate box for gifts you and your
children can bring to birthday parties and other special events.
TIP #8 - RETURNS/EXCHANGES: Get returns/exchanges done as soon as possible so they don't end up turning into unwanted clutter. Most stores have liberal return policies this time of year so you have no excuses.
TIP #9 - THANK YOU NOTES: Get them off your to-do list, avoid mental clutter and practice good time management by writing your holiday "Thank you" notes now. Don"t procrastinate!
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.
TIP #11 - PHOTOGRAPHS: Designate a night for putting holiday photos in albums and frames or burning digital photos onto CDs.
TIP #12 - OUT WITH THE OLD; IN WITH THE NEW…TOYS: If you don't already
have one, now it the perfect time to set up a toy-storage system and
purge old unused, unwanted, broken, or out-grown toys. Make this an
annual tradition and you won't find yourself – and your kids - drowning
in toy overload. Enlist your kids' help on this project. Ask them to
make a pile of toys to toss or give away to make room for all the new
ones they just got. If you haven't done
it already, now is a great
opportunity to teach your children about sharing with others less
fortunate than they are. Involving them in the decision making about
which charities/organizations to donate to will make them more willing
and enthusiastic about it.
TIP #13 - FIND ROOM ONLY FOR THE STUFF YOU TRULY LIKE AND WANT: Don't feel guilty about not using something that someone gave you. Return it, exchange it, give it away or re-gift it. Just because it was given to you does not mean that you are obligated to find a space for it, unless you want to. Remember, no well-intentioned giver wants for his or her gift to be a burden on the recipient.
TIP #14 - FAVORITES: Ask your family members what were their least and most favorite activities, foods, etc. this holiday season. Make a list of things to remember for next year – a simple word processing document will do - and be sure to focus on the best liked and eliminate the least liked when the time comes in 2008.
TIP #15 - PUT YOUR PLANNER/CALENDAR TO WORK: If you
do'’t already have one, get a 2008 planner/calendar and put your
holiday target/deadline dates in it. Leave ample time to finish
compiling your gift list (i.e., July 30); make your travel plans (i.e.,
August 15); address your holiday cards (i.e., November 30); complete
your holiday shopping (i.e., December 10); wrap your gifts
(i.e.
December 20); get your baking done (i.e., December 23), etc.
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MILLER ORGANIZING. All rights reserved.
14 Stuyvesant Oval
NYC, NY 10009