Ten Ways To Make The Holidays Easier Next Year
What does your holiday season usually look like -- a lot of rushing around at the last minute? The holidays really don't have to require so much effort -- if you plan ahead and spread the work out throughout the year. Here are ten tips for making your next holiday season a snap:
PACK YOUR DECORATIONS THE RIGHT WAY
I know you will be in a rush to get the house back in order after the holidays are over -- but don't just throw everything in a box. Take time to wrap your lights so they won't get tangled, to pack fragile items carefully, and to store like items together (ornaments, snowmen, candles, whatever). And be sure to label all of your boxes!
UPDATE YOUR HOLIDAY ADDRESS LIST
If you have access to a computer, make it a priority to computerize your address list -- preferably in a program which will allow you to print labels. Whether you keep your list on the computer or by hand, double check your addresses against the envelopes from the cards you received this year. If you see any mistakes or people you forgot, add them in while it's still fresh in your mind.
TAKE A PICTURE OF YOUR HOUSE DECORATED
Do you have a hard time remembering how you had everything laid out from year to year? Or did you do a particularly spectacular job of decorating this year and want to replicate it again in the future? Take a photo and stash it away with your decorations -- you'll have a built-in reference the next time you set up for the holidays.
KEEP TRACK OF ANY RECIPES YOU ESPECIALLY ENJOYED
If you just adored Aunt Martha's cranberry cobbler or your next door neighbor's cheese ball -- ask for the recipe. You can keep a special notebook of holiday recipes that you would like to make again year after year. This will save you a lot of time searching through cookbooks saying, "Now where was that recipe?" You can store your holiday notebook with your other recipes (if you might want to use it at other times during the year) or in with your decorations.
KEEP A LIST OF GIFT IDEAS
During the holiday season, people pay close attention when loved ones mention an item they might like to have. But we seem to turn our radar off after that point. Keep a wish list of gifts you may give this year -- but don't throw it out after the holidays are over. Cross off any items you know were already given, and continue to add to your list throughout the year. When Christmas comes around next year, you don't have to wonder what gifts you should buy.
START A CHRISTMAS CLUB ACCOUNT
There is nothing uglier than coming up on the holidays knowing that you are going to go into serious debt. We can certainly debate the merit of spending huge amounts of money on gifts -- but the easiest way to deal with holiday bills is to plan ahead. Banks used to (and still may) offer "Christmas Clubs" -- savings accounts that you add to throughout the year and can't touch until December. If your bank doesn't have such a creature, set up a separate account that you treat as a Christmas club. Put aside a small amount each month, and swear not to spend it on anything except the holidays. Then promise yourself that you won't spend any more than you have in your account.
STOCK UP AT AFTER-CHRISTMAS SALES
Some things -- like greeting cards and wrapping paper -- can only be purchased during the holiday season. But if you buy them right at the start of the holidays, you will end up paying an arm and a leg. I always head out to the day after Christmas sales to stock up on wrappings, lights, cards, and other goodies -- all at least half off. I can even find potential gifts for the next year at huge savings. Then I store all of my bargains away with my decorations, ready for action next holiday season.
SHOP FOR GIFTS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR
Armed with your gift list and Christmas club account, you are in an excellent position to take advantage of sales and specials throughout the year. Keep an eye open for items that you think would make good holiday gifts -- and pick them up while the price is reduced. Then designate a spot in a closet or cabinet as your gift center -- a place to stash your goodies until next year.
SET UP A GIFT WRAPPING STATION
Of course, another great way to cut down on holiday chores is to do your wrapping ahead of time. Since you are buying gifts throughout the year, consider setting up a wrapping station along with your gift center. Then, when you bring home a present, you can wrap it and tag it right then, instead of waiting until the last minute. And this will also keep prying eyes from sneaking a peak at their gifts!
MAKE A LIST OF THINGS THAT WORKED AND DIDN'T WORK
It always happens during the holidays -- some things go smoothly and others do not. Maybe you tried to have a huge family buffet and all of the food got cold before everyone could eat it. Or you thought fresh greenery would be nice -- but all the needles fell off a week after you set out the garlands. On the other hand, you may have found a great pattern for a gingerbread house, or discovered a fabulous community event that you would like to attend again next year. Make a note of these pluses and minuses and stash your list with your decorations. Then review your list next year and plan your holiday accordingly.
Ramona Creel is a Professional Organizer and the founder of OnlineOrganizing.com -- offering "a world of organizing solutions!" Visit http://www.onlineorganizing.com for organizing products, free tips, a speakers bureau -- and even get a referral for a Professional Organizer near you. And if you are interested in becoming a Professional Organizer, we have all the tools you need to succeed. If you would like to reprint this article, please send in an e-mail request to ramona@onlineorganizing.com
 Google News Updated : Mon, 13 Oct 2008 23:51:55 GMT Caffeine Consumption Doesn't Raise Overall Breast Cancer Risk - Washington Post
Washington Post - By Alan Mozes MONDAY, Oct. 13 (HealthDay News) -- Drinking coffee or consuming other caffeine-laden foods does not appear to boost breast cancer risk, new research indicates. Caffeine, Breast Cancer Link Minimal Caffeine 'can increase breast cancer risk' Publ.Date : Mon, 13 Oct 2008 22:00:13 GMT North Korea Reopens Yongbyon Nuclear Reactor to UN Inspectors - Bloomberg
Bloomberg - By Bill Varner Oct. 13 (Bloomberg) -- The United Nations' nuclear watchdog agency was given access today to North Korea's plutonium- producing plant at Yongbyon, a reaction to the US decision to remove the nation from its list of states sponsoring ... NKorea grants UN nuclear watchdog access to Yongbyon: IAEA North Korea allows back nuclear inspectors Publ.Date : Mon, 13 Oct 2008 21:38:19 GMT Britain withdraws terror detention law after defeat - AFP
AFP - LONDON (AFP) - The British government on Monday withdrew a plan to extend the time suspected violent extremists can be held without charge after the House of Lords voted against it. House of Lords deals fatal blow to 42-day terror detention plans Ministers drop 42-day detention Publ.Date : Mon, 13 Oct 2008 23:01:32 GMT Rangers Prospect Cherepanov Dies After Collapsing During Game - New York Times
New York Times - By Stu Hackel Nineteen-year-old Russian forward Alexei Cherepanov, who was a Rangers first-round draft choice in 2007 and considered one of the organization’s top prospects, died on Monday after collapsing near the end of a game between his KHL team ... Cherepanov collapses on bench during game, dies at 19 Rangers prospect dies during game in Russia Publ.Date : Mon, 13 Oct 2008 22:37:16 GMT Stocks Soar on Wall Street as Markets Bounce Back from Worst Rout ... - Voice of America
Voice of America - By Barry Wood The Dow Jones Industrial Average Monday registered its biggest daily point gain ever, gaining 936 points or 11 percent. Wall Street explodes, marks biggest 1-day gain Dow Surges On Global Bailout Plans Publ.Date : Mon, 13 Oct 2008 23:09:50 GMT Palin: We can't let 'leftist groups…steal this election' - CNN Political Ticker
CNN Political Ticker - “The truth is that far-left groups in this country will do anything to help the Obama-Biden Democrats win the White House and maintain their majorities in Congress,” Alaska Gov. Voter registration boom favors Obama NC elections broad probes ACORN forms Publ.Date : Mon, 13 Oct 2008 22:39:24 GMT Romo Out For a Month - Washington Post
Washington Post - The Dallas Cowboys will be without quarterback Tony Romo for as long as a month because of a broken finger on his throwing hand. Romo suffered a broken right pinkie on the first play of overtime of the Cowboys' loss Sunday at Arizona, according to a ... Romo sidelined with broken finger Cowboys' Romo has broken finger, may miss 4 weeks Publ.Date : Mon, 13 Oct 2008 18:10:26 GMT Earn Money With Surveys |
PARLOT::Ebooks, Scripts,
Websites, and more... The Holidays are coming and children have thought long and... Read More Unique "Drop-A-Hint" Plan Sends Your Gift Wishes Via E-mailSure, they... Read More Wonderfully simple to do and oh so impressive!You don't need... Read More Father's Day is about to be celebrated in Australia. The... Read More A mother's bracelet is a personalized bracelet that celebrates the... Read More The holidays are officially here. And so the season for... Read More This is my daughter's first Christmas. Naomi will be nearly... Read More Christmas memories are never dependent on the amount of money... Read More Fathers Day is another reason to celebrate another responsible adult... Read More If you are like me, you never know what to... Read More 1. Knowledge is Power. Whatever the area of collecting ?... Read More Father's Day...Father's Day only one month away! Father's Day is... Read More Usually, the hardest part about Halloween is finding the perfect... Read More Anniversary parties are a wonderful way to celebrate two people... Read More Every year we go through the same process of making... Read More I remember just a handful of the Christmas presents I... Read More I have a friend who works at a loan company.... Read More Is there really a Santa Claus? Any parent who hasn't... Read More When I think of Valentines Day I think of Chocolates... Read More "The stress-free way to enjoy the holidays is to plan,... Read More - Christmas is responsible for more waste and consumption than... Read More Who doesn't love being a clown? It's a great costume... Read More Not everyone shares in the celebration and joy associated with... Read More While war and poor economic conditions begin to affect people... Read More Are you bored with the routine of city life? Do... Read More
Adsense
websites
No Paws from Santa Claus
Dont Want Another Carpet Sweeper This Year For Christmas?
Eggs-travagant Eggs
Fathers Day and Flowers
A Mothers Keepsake
9 Fantastic Formulas for a Stress Free Holiday!
Create a Holiday Feast For The Senses
Five Inexpensive Ways to Help Your Children Invest in Holiday Memories
The Fathers Day Celebration
No More Ties! Homemade Fathers Day Gift Ideas
Holiday Gift Ideas For Antique Lovers
Fathers Day Gift Ideas for Dad!
Find Great Halloween Costume Ideas! Have The Most Creative Costumes This Year
Throwing an Anniversary Party to be Remembered
Its Never Too Early To Shop For Christmas
Create Warm Memories with Holiday Traditions
Creative And Inexpensive Gift Ideas
Mommy...Daddy...Is There Really A Santa Claus?
Valentines Day! The Sweet and Romantic Holiday
10 Tips to a Stress Free Holiday
Reduce Waste This Christmas
Some Valuable Steps On Applying Clown Makeup! Seriously, Were Not Clowning Around Here
Surviving Those Holiday Blues
5 Tips to Reduce Holiday Depression
Spice Up Your Life with an Adventure Holiday!
Affordable and Reliable Web Hosting Starting at $4.49/Month
Anniversary Gift Ideas Year by Year, the First Nineteen Years
It's impossible to remember what gift is traditional for each... Read More
Secrets to a Stress Free Holiday
December and all the excitement that comes with it can... Read More
10 Steps to a Relaxing Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday! Family, friends, good food ?... Read More
Fourth of July Quotes
MADRID ? For millions of Americans, this Fourth of July... Read More
Ten Ways To Make The Holidays Easier Next Year
What does your holiday season usually look like -- a... Read More
The Rose
Lifestyle is style over amount. And style is an art... Read More
Ill Be Home For Christmas
Direct Answers - Column for the week of November 29,... Read More
The Christmas Dress
From the time I was a very little girl, I... Read More
Hoo Hoo ? Owls and Superstitions, Thats Who
Superstitions surrounding owls have a long and ancient history. These... Read More
This Mothers Day -- Give The Gift Of Fitness
Do you know a Mom that deserves a special gift... Read More
Fireplace Decorating Tips for Easter: Give Your Rooms Natural Focal Point an Easter Look
Sure you decorate your fireplace and mantel for the winter... Read More
Real vs. Artificial Christmas Trees
Putting up and decorating your Christmas tree is a holiday... Read More
Christmas Decorating Ideas - Edible Ornaments
Although it is now more decades away than I care... Read More
Celebrate Your Freedom: 6 Important Freedoms to Celebrate Everyday
At the end of the movie "Braveheart," William Wallace is... Read More
Great Gifts Under $5
Gift giving is at its absolute finest during the Christmas... Read More
Seven Valentine?s Day Tips for Spouses in ?Less-Than-Perfect? Marriages
Valentine's Day can be a depressing day when you're in... Read More
Great Games for Your Halloween Party
If you're having a Halloween party you need to play... Read More
How to Make Your Own Printable Invitations for Any Occasion
Even with modern technology like email and cell phones, printed... Read More
Christmas Tree Topper Ornaments
From my childhood memories, pride of place on the top... Read More
2 Quick and Easy Halloween Crafts
Making Halloween crafts can really get you into a festive... Read More
Gypsy Fortune Teller Halloween Costumes ? Easy to Make
As a little girl I often loved to dress up... Read More
Stress-Free Party Planning
It's a fact; most of us feel immediately stressed and... Read More
Holiday Gift Ideas For Antique Lovers
1. Knowledge is Power. Whatever the area of collecting ?... Read More
Make it an Unforgettable Birthday!
The first known birthday celebrations began among the Egyptians with... Read More
Use H-O-L-L-Y to Beat Christmas Cooking Stress
What does holly, that untidy traditional greenery you just have... Read More
Holiday |