Organizing for the Holidays

By Darci Forde
4D Professional Services

OK, so it feels like it was just a few weeks ago that I was on a cruise ship basking in the sunlight of Mexico. With the blue skies, the warm air, the sand between my toes, and a pina colada in my hand. For those who don’t know me, it was a virgin! Oh, wait a minute it was just a few weeks I was basking in the sunlight of Mexico with my toes in the sand and just feeling the warm air, dreading the cold weather that was going to be coming soon when we returned home.

See I’m from Chicago and I absolutely hate cold weather. I don’t care about snow, I don’t care about the change in seasons or falling leaves, but I do like the holidays, so I’m looking forward to that, even though I realize it can be stressful for some people. I get that the cooking and planning of all these social events for you and your family, and just being with folks you may not like can be very daunting, to say the least. So, allow me, Darci, your new friend in the organizing world, to give you a few pointers on how to have a more stress-free life during the holiday season.

To get started, don’t think about it being the holidays, just think of it as just another month for me.

First, pull out your calendar. I don’t care if it’s the kind with the beefy, sexy fireman on it hanging on your wall (no judgment here) or your phone, just pull it out and fill in all the important dates that you have to attend whether it’s family gatherings, office parties, or your kids’ holiday school activities. Just fill everything in on your calendar that you have to attend, and once that’s done, you’ll be able to fill in extras when needed, no stress here!

Second, now that you have your calendar filled in, write down and finalize your budget. Guesstimate how much you’re going to spend on family members for gifts, and food. Now don’t trip here! You know what you can realistically afford.

Third, let’s do a little cleaning and decluttering, now keep in mind we’re not doing a deep dive here, I want you to just take out a garbage bag for each room you have in your space. Go through each room and take out all those items that are old and worn out that we don’t use anymore, just take 30 minutes per room and purge. Once you’ve done that get a Swiffer to dust, a rag, and a multi-clean solution to wipe down, vacuum or mop, and be done!

Fourth, let’s talk about food planning. Make preparing meals simple for the holidays, there’s nothing wrong with soup and a sandwich, or purchase a rotisserie chicken and have a simple salad. Keep it simple, that way you’re not stressed about cooking everyday meals this season. Now, I’m going to teach you a very important word and I want you to remember this throughout the holiday season: DELEGATE!!!

You don’t have to cook the entire meal, give some of those responsibilities to other people. Now if you know your sister-in-law cannot cook good macaroni and cheese, well then give her something she can read off the back of a can, like a green bean casserole.

The bottom line, my newfound friends, is to keep it easy! Your friends and family want you, not perfection, and they want you to enjoy the holidays as well. So, till next time, fill your space with happiness and love