Clutter Busting Coach

...clearing clutter from your mind, body and space

‘Tis the Season: Holiday Planning Tips

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Did you do a double take when you read the title for this post?

Did you wonder why I would be posting something about the holidays so early?

Well, I know from personal and professional experience that the holidays are considered a stressful time of the year. Yet the holidays should be a joyful time of year. The holidays should be a time that we look forward to. A time to spend with family and friends. A special time of the year to share and to celebrate the season.

If the word holiday creates feelings of stress, thoughts of chaos and a sense of being overwhelmed, beginning your holiday planning within this next week can change the holiday into a season filled with happy moments and a sense of calm.

Most people don’t even think about the Christmas holiday until after Thanksgiving Day which is not consistent and can leave you with only four or five weeks prior to the holiday. [Read more…]

Holiday Joy: Healthy Eating

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While most holiday parties and festivities take place during the last three weeks prior to Christmas, it is possible to enjoy holiday celebrations without overindulging if you follow a few tips:

  • Plan some activities where food isn’t the primary focus and physical activity is the focus.
  • Before attending a party have a snack to take the edge off hunger.
  • Offer to bring a healthy dish to pass.
  • Commit to continue balanced meals, adequate fluids, and getting plenty of rest.
  • Don’t skip meals especially breakfast.
  • Keep your regular exercise schedule.
  • Plan some quiet time into your day to mediate, journal or relax.
  • Station yourself away from the buffet table so you make a conscious choice to eat.
  • Watch your alcohol intake for the sake of calories and commitment.
  • Save your indulgences for one or two favorites.

Enjoy the holidays doing the things that matter most to you including holiday foods and treats by planning ahead, taking care of yourself and staying aware.

Holiday Joy: Four Weeks and Counting

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While I suggest using an eight-week holiday checklist, even if you are just getting started here are some ideas to divide and conquer your holiday task list in four weeks

  • Select two days each week to work on your holiday to-do list. Write it in your calendar.
  • Group errands together. Buy all the children’s gifts at the same time. Buy staples and stocking stuffers from the same store.
  • Delegate tasks to other household members. Get your family members (based on age and skill level) to help with items still left on the “to do” list such as decorating, baking, wrapping, shopping or decorating.

Make a plan for the four weeks remaining prior to the holiday and work the plan. Your holiday will be joyful instead of stressful.

If you would like to receive my eight-week or four-week holiday checklist, contact me.

Clutter Busting: Kid’s Toys

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Another good clutter busting activity before the holidays, is to purge or declutter some of your kid’s toys.

While from 2010, this post on how to get your kids to part with their toys is full of positive tips and all that I would suggest.

Help your kids learn how to manage their stuff by starting with their toys. Include them in the process to help them develop decision making skills while clearing space for the new toys they are sure to get this holiday season.

And moving items on can benefit you and them in many positive ways.

Please share your techniques. I would like to hear your suggestions?

 

 

Holiday Joy: Six Weeks and Counting

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How is your holiday planning going? Or did you just say “what plan?”.

While eight-weeks is ideal for a holiday checklist to increase joy and decrease the stress of the season, you can still considerably reduce holiday stress with this week-by-week summary of tasks for the six weeks left before Christmas.

6 weeks: develop gift list, set up gift-wrapping center shop/wrap ½ of gift list, develop card list, address envelopes/create holiday letter/copy

5 weeks: shop/wrap ½ of gift list, finalize baking/menu list, buy stamps gather return labels

4 weeks: decorate outdoors, write holiday cards, buy baking supplies

3 weeks: decorate indoors, mail gifts/cards

2 weeks: attend/host parties, buy grocery staples, bake/cook ahead, begin cleaning/finalize holiday menu

1 week: finish baking/cleaning, buy perishable groceries
So put these tasks in your calendar and you’ll be on the road to feeling prepared and calm this holiday season

Put these tasks on your calendar and stress a little less and enjoy the holiday a little more this season.