HG Openhouse Blog

There’s nothing quite like the onset of the holidays to highlight the areas of our lives that lack organization. Spare bedrooms that need to be dug out for guests, refrigerators, freezers and pantries that need to be cleaned out to accommodate extra food, and piles of paperwork on the dining room table all scream for attention before you can even think of entertaining and celebrating. And dare I even mention how year-long challenges with time management and budgeting get magnified around this busy and expensive season.

“Get Organized” might just have gone to the top of your New year’s resolutions for 2009, but first you need to get yourself sanely through this Christmas season. Don’t worry, help is on the way. Let’s start with a few lists, shall we?

1. Make a “$’s to spend” list:
Decide what you can honestly afford to spend this year and put that $ figure at the top of your list. Beneath it, write down all your usual holiday expenses such as gift purchases, wrapping, entertainment, decorations, travel, charitable gifts, or any other expenses you might incur. Assign a budget for each one and make sure that the total $ value at the bottom does not exceed the $ value at the top of your list.

2. Make a “Time and Activities” list: Get out your December calender. First, write all the non-negotiable events of the month such as work, school, sleep. Next, fill in the holiday activities/events that are the most important to you and your family whether it’s a school concert, a church service, volunteering at a charity, or shopping for the Christmas tree. Next, block off the time needed beforehand to prepare for these events (travel, shopping, baking, sending invites etc.). This usually takes twice as long as you think, so double the time you allow for each task/trip so you’ll avoid any stress from unanticipated delays. Once your calendar list is more than half-full, it’s time to say “no” to the rest. Leave yourself room for relaxing, spur of the moment pleasures and times of reflection.

3. Make a list of “Menus”: Now that you know where/how you’ll be spending your time this month, take a look at which events involve making or serving food. What will you take to your potluck dinner? What will you bake for the cookie exchange? What’s on the menu for the family breakfast on Christmas morning? Make a menu for each activity involving food.

4. Make a “Grocery” List: Take your menu list from above and pull the recipes you’ll be using to make note of any and all ingredients you will need. Now go through your pantry/freezer and see what ingredients you already have. The missing items go on your “grocery” list. Make sure that a “shopping for groceries” activity is on your calendar well in advance of when you’ll need your items.

5. Make a “Gift” list: Once you’ve designated your $ amount for gifts, make a list of each person you will be shopping for and assign a portion of your gift budget to each one. Next to each name, list several ideas you have for that $ value. Check the Homegoods gift tree for help.

6. Make a list of “household chores”: This is the time to decide what rooms in your house need some intervention in order to be ready for guests and/or to provide a restful retreat for yourself and your family. Go through your home room by room and make a note of what “must” be done. Once your list is made, don’t be afraid to delegate chores to others in your household or a professional to ease your stress.

Add your lists to your day planner, keep them on your computer, or make up a special Christmas notebook. Just be sure to keep your lists handy so you can add/subtract to them as needed. And don’t you just love the feeling of turning a “to do” into a “too done”?

How do you keep yourself organized during this busy season? Puh-lease share your secrets, some reader’s sanity may depend on it ( :