Ask Erin: Tips for an Organized and Joyful Season

by ERIN SHARPLIN LOVE | erinlove@panachebyerin.com

With minimalism being the topic of much discussion these days, I could tell you that the trick to having the most organized and joyful Christmas season is to do less of everything, but I am not. Instead, I want to challenge you to focus on what Christmas really means to you. To me, Christmas is a time for making lasting memories with my family and friends, and that means lots of get-togethers, activities, parties, and much more. I want to make everyone around me happier than they were before, and I want to have fun while remembering and celebrating the true reason for the season. So, doing less just isn’t realistic, nor is it something that I want to do. It wouldn’t be ME, and therefore, I wouldn’t be enjoying Christmas if I decided to do less.

Now, it is your turn. What does Christmas truly mean to you? What are the best parts and worst parts of the season for you? Would it be more enjoyable or less enjoyable if you decided to do less?

Whatever you choose, one thing I know for sure is that you CAN have an organized and joyful Christmas instead of a stressful one.

The first thing to keep in mind when the holiday season begins is that preparation is key! Take the time to sit down and begin a “to-do” list! I suggest that you never underestimate the value of writing things down, especially during such a hectic time of year. You may want to keep this list with you during the first part of December as tasks pop in your head while you are on the go. Don’t forget that you can use the “note” app on your phone, too!

Your to-do list will surely include a lot of the items I discuss below. So grab a pen and notebook and let’s get this party started (pun intended):

DECORATE – By the time you are reading this article, you may have already put up your tree, especially since the recent trend seems to be putting up a tree before Thanksgiving! But, you can still make some updates and changes to your existing decorating process. If you have not yet decorated, I suggest that before doing so, you take inventory of anything you might want or need. If you are like me, I tend to make slight changes to my holiday décor each year so that it is different and exciting for me as well as for family and friends who visit my home. Don’t be ashamed to peruse Instagram and Pinterest for new decorating ideas. You may be surprised by how much more inspired you are during the shopping process.

HOLIDAY CARDS – If you send out cards and have not chosen (or even taken) the picture that will be used, that should be the very first thing on your to-do list for December. If you procrastinated a bit and have not yet taken a picture for your holiday cards, don’t fret. Peruse the photo app on your phone. I am sure that one of the adorable pictures you took of your kids playing in the cotton field or on the beach this summer will suffice. Sometimes the most candid of pictures turn out to be the best ones. Next, I suggest that you mark time off on your calendar to address and send out the cards. Don’t underestimate the amount of time it takes to address envelopes properly. If you can’t set aside enough time for taking care of the task in one sitting, it’s okay to do it in small increments. Don’t forget to check your address list for anything that may be missing – Did you make a new friend? Did someone recently have a change of address? Organize your list now to avoid complications later.

EVENTS – You may be giving AND attending holiday events this year, so I would begin organizing your calendar of events now so you will be sure to know when and where you need to make an appearance. Getting organized early ensures that you will not overbook yourself or miss an important event. As the invitations flow in, go ahead and RSVP immediately. Don’t wait or you could forget entirely. We all know that RSVPs are few and far between, so why not be one of the few who actually follow the rules of etiquette.

Another great tip is to go ahead and choose a party-ready outfit for each event. Try it on and take a picture, complete with accessories and shoes, so you will be completely prepared and stress-free before each event. Keep all of this information in your notebook so it is easy to access, and you will have it ready.

GIFTS – You will most certainly be giving and receiving many gifts, so start a list and check it twice. (I couldn’t resist saying that!) Make a list of all the people you need to purchase a gift(s) for and also note if you’ve already decided what you’d like to purchase for them. I always suggest shopping with a list so you don’t overbuy or forget something. Also, search online to see who has the best deals before going shopping. You may find it cheaper to purchase some items from the comfort of your couch instead of having to face the crowds. Finally, designate an out-of-the-way, away from prying eyes, spot in your home for storing the gifts until you are able to wrap them. With that in mind, I suggest that you set up or reorganize your wrapping station at this point, as well. Go ahead and take an inventory of what you need to add or repurchase (tape, bags, ribbon, etc.) to make the wrapping process easier. *Tip: If you are short on space and don’t have a designated wrapping station, I have been known to set up a 4 foot folding table in my clients’ homes and equipping it with all of the wrapping essentials.

NOSHING – This is actually my favorite part of the holidays! I LOVE good food, and there are always plenty of side dishes that I make a full meal from. My faves are fruit salad, sweet potato casserole, dressing with cranberry sauce, green bean casserole, and macaroni and cheese. Yum!

So, now is the time to begin planning your menu(s). Grocery shopping gets a bit amped up during the holidays when you are hosting and attending numerous parties, so creating a game plan helps take the stress out of it. Create a shopping list, take inventory, and gather recipes to avoid wasting money and purchasing duplicates. Be sure to include items on the list for the occasional last minute visitor. I always have nuts, wine, and cheese on hand for such occasions. If you have last minute visitors frequently, you may want to buy (or make) a few casseroles to have on hand, too. *Tip: Take the time to check all of the appliances that you will be using for the holidays. Often, this is one of the only times of the year some of them will be used, so avoid disaster by making sure they are all in working order.

TRAVEL – The holidays always call for a bit of travel, whether it is near or far, so preparation is key to a smooth experience. Hopefully, you have already purchased plane tickets; otherwise, you may face sold out flights and/or high prices. Before departing, create a list of travel items you will need, complete with outfits and important documents. Keep in mind the many changes that airlines make to their rules and regulations – check online to make sure you aren’t forgetting something that could cause a hold up at the gate.

If you are traveling by car, it is a good idea to get a little tune- up before leaving on a long road trip. This is also a good time to get your car organized, especially if you will be traveling with young children. I purchase back-of- the -seat organizers to stuff colors, coloring books, card games, sticker books, etc. so they will be kept busy and the opportunity for “are we there yet” questions may be fewer and far between. Finally, if you are unfamiliar with the place you are going, don’t leave it completely up to your GPS to guide you. Map out your trip ahead of time.

Here are more tips to make this holiday season less stressful and more enjoyable:

1. Go ahead and sort through your child’s toys and clothing. The holiday is a perfect time to donate them to another child in need, and it will help make more room for this year’s gifts, as well.
2. Set aside a completely different area in your attic or storage room for holiday décor. I like to use clear containers so I can see what is inside, but I still label each container and bin, too.
3. Don’t underestimate the value of making a budget. Food, gifts, new décor, and everything else tends to add up quickly!
4. Prepare your guest bedroom by refreshing the sheets. Creating a goodie basket of oft-forgot items like shampoo and toothpaste is thoughtful, but it is also fun to include a sleeping mask and lavender lotion, and print out your Wi-Fi password.
5. Buy a few extra, non-specific gifts to have on hand for those who unexpectedly bring you a gift. Some ideas are candles, wine, lotions, bath salts, and the like.
6. Simplify clean up by having a trash bag or can next to the area you will be unwrapping gifts. Don’t forget to save as many bags and ribbons as you can for next year.
7. Make the decorating process easier next year by putting up this year’s décor in an organized fashion. In short, COMPARTMENTALIZE! For instance, you can store like ornaments in cardboard boxes or small plastic containers.
8. If you are using battery-operated candles in your décor, I suggest that you remove the batteries before storing. That way, if the battery acid decides to leak out, it will not ruin your candle or other battery-operated items.
9. Coil strings of lights around empty wrapping paper rolls or in Ziploc bags.
10. Hang wreaths on nails in the attic and cover with a plastic bag to protect from dust.
11. Use ratchet straps to tie up your tree before storing.
    Last, I would like to urge you to plan out fun activities for your family, such as baking cookies, making ornaments, making gifts, etc. If you don’t schedule it ahead of time, you may miss the opportunity to make memories for your children. The holidays get hectic.
    As I stated before, the key to creating a stress-free and organized holiday is by being prepared! Prepare now and save your sanity later. Happy Holidays!