Annualized approach for transactional files to facilitate easy weeding at end of year.
Use of online history vs. paper records but be sure to take system backups!!.
Find space you love.
Renovate closet into a home office.
Set up an 'L' Shape or 'U' Shape workstation if you can... they are more efficient.
CLOTHES CLOSET
Organize clothing by color -- light to dark
Use every bit of space by adding additional shelves or cubbies.
Put like things together
Organize by short hanging, long hanging, shoes, hats
Items in the closet need to be Ready To Wear.
Bin or area for repair, donate, toss, dry cleaning, etc.
Always have clothes hamper as close as possible to closet.
Invest in uniform hangers – helps visually and less clutter
Over the door pocket organizers for clothing (scarves, gloves, lingerie, etc.)
Questions to ask about deciding about clothes:
Is it flattering?
Do I love it?
Is this the image I want to project?
Do I have more like it?
How do I feel when I wear this?
Have I worn it in the past 2 seasons, if not, don't keep it!!
Does it fit right?
LINEN / STORAGE CLOSET
Throw out expired products
Dividers to separate categories
Use wall hanging battery organizers/tester.
Stack-able boxes with drawers to house one category (batteries, light bulbs)
Hanging door organizers – bottles, cleaning products, etc.
Small containers
Inside-doors wire shelves Insert shelves when you have fixed shelves
Wire drawers Hanging devices/ hooks
Cleaning Caddy to store cleaning products in vanity or closet
Hang the ladder, ironing board, broom, mop
THE HOLIDAY'S
õ Holiday Cards
Buy at the end of the season for next year… they are really discounted.
Create a master list and keep it updated.
If cards are returned, get a new address or cross it off your list.
Make use of your computer… put the list on it and print labels …or… if you are really good, print your cards and envelopes through your computer printer!
Pick an must mail by date, count the list, and calculate how many have to be done each day to get the job done in time.
õ Shopping & Wrapping
Shop online or catalogs… you pay shipping but save time and sometimes money and sales tax.
Choose less hectic times to shop … weekdays & evenings, dinner time, when store opens.
Avoid Lines… Post office on Saturdays, Mall Shopping & Food Shopping on weekends.
Use a paper tablecloth to wrap the very big or odd shaped gifts.
Buy extra gifts… just in case.
Wrap in gift bags so they are easy to return if not used.
õ Holiday & Family Meal Planning
Stock your freezer and pantry ahead of time… saves trips to the grocery store.
When cooking double up the recipe and freeze half for another meal that is ready for you.
Cook simple dishes.
Go to a restaurant.
Buy precooked meals from the supermarket.
Have “Pot Luck” dinners… everyone brings a dish.
Find those ‘old’ recipes that you will need beforehand and make a copy.
õ Decorating
Muster the Troops!
Letting them do ‘their thing’ (in non critical areas) it might provide you some interesting ideas for the future or at the very least… some interesting topics conversation!
Keep it simple. Less out… less to put away.
Decorate (and store the decorations) room-by-room instead of trying to get it done all at once.
õ Entertaining
Plan in advance. You can never have too many lists where this is concerned.
Have a ‘White Elephant Party”. Everyone brings a wrapped gift they got last year but doesn’t’ like… first person picks… next person picks and gets to keep or exchange with the person before. Lots of laughs!!
õ House Cleaning
Keep up with it… spend a little time each day and don’t let it get away from you.
Lower your expectations, it doesn’t have to be perfect!!
õ Saving Time & Money
Screen your calls than plan a time when you can return them.
Wrapping gifts or stuffing card envelopes is a good thing to do while on the phone.
Use Lists…. You won’t have to spend time or energy trying to remember what to do.
Ask everyone to make gift wish lists of items under $25.
Opt not to give gifts and instead – adopt a family, make a donation, give gift cards, put the money toward a family trip or dinner.
Instead of buying gifts for everyone… do a “Secret Santa” with a dollar limit.
Put all names in a hat, everyone picks a name and buys for that person. Instead of 4 $25 gifts one $100 is nice! Remember… no ‘From” Names on the tag!
Starting this year make a “Holiday Book”. Your own personalized reference book to remember and store good recipes, ideas, menus, lists, etc. Then you won’t have to re-invent the wheel.
õ In General…
Lower your expectations … sometimes good enough is good enough.
Let people help you; meals, decorating, cleaning, cards, anything… helping hands are a blessing.
Use a family calendar to make sure everyone knows and records what is going on each day.
Keep your priorities in sight.
To avoid stress try to you accept invitations and make plans for events that are truly meaningful to you and your family.
