It's Christmas Eve - Time to Reflect on Family

It's Christmas Eve....and most of us are done with our shopping and ready for Santa. But for those of you that aren't ....don't stress....just try to be a bit more organized next year.

The holidays are not about presents. They are about family. The best present that you can give anyone is "yourself".

Time is a precious thing. It goes too quickly and there is never enough of it.

Picking up the phone and calling your loved ones....a real phone call...not a text....means more than you will ever know. Hearing a loved ones voice. Hearing the caring and knowing that you are loved....is a precious thing.

Reach out to your friends and family during the holidays. Let them know that you have not forgotten them. In this busy time where we are all working, struggling to make ends meet...the gift of yourself is more precious than anything that you can wrap up.

Wishing all of you a very HAPPY HOLIDAY and a more ORGANIZED NEW YEAR !

Organizational Consulting Services

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De-Clutter For the Holidays

It's getting close to the end of the year....that means TAX DONATIONS are coming to an end for the year !

In the midst of the Holiday buying craziness you should take a step back and clear out your closets.

There are many reason for this - and de-cluttering your closets and life is not the only one. With Christmas just around the corner I am sure (if you were good) that you will probably get some new clothes and the kids will get new toys.

Do you have room for them?  What about the things you no longer use or need? What about the things that your kids have outgrown?  Including toys.

Now is the time to clean our your closets and cupboards.  Have the kids clean out their toy box (let it be their decision on what toys to donate to other kids).

Not only are you de-cluttering your house - you are also taking advantage of the tax deduction that comes with donating things that you no longer need.

But hurry..... the year is coming to a close and so is your opportunity for last minute deductions.

By de-cluttering and donating you are not only helping others.... you are also helping yourself and hopefully teaching your kids a valuable lesson in giving.


Happy Holidays!

Organizational Consulting Services

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The Holidays Are Getting Closer....

It's getting close to Christmas and a lot of people still haven't even put up a tree or sent out cards.

The holidays are not a time to be stressed so don't beat yourself up over not getting everything done. It you are running out of time you have to decide what you can live without so that you don't drive yourself crazy.

Being organized is about "time management". If you haven't finished everything on your list give yourself the gift of "not finishing". Let it go. Most people that I know haven't even sent out their cards yet, so you are not alone.

BUT.... this should give you some incentive to start earlier next year!  If you have your 2013 calendar, open it up and put a note in the calendar for some of the things that you need to accomplish for the holidays. For example:

* Write out cards

* Start Xmas shopping

* Decorate the house

By using your calendar and making "appointments" with yourself you will be more likely to get things done on time.

Time Management at home is just as important as in the workplace.

Schedule some time each day to get the some of your projects done, but allow some extra "breathing" time so that you don't get to the holiday and just wish it would go away.

Anything that you can't realistically get done at this point.... LET IT GO!  For some people being a perfectionist causes too much stress and actually wastes time. Learn from your "disorganization" and last minute "craziness" and know that you can do better next year.

And remember, if your family wants a great holiday they should be willing to help you. Don't try to do it all yourself. Assign tasks to everyone and work together to make this holiday season a good one.

For more great organizing ideas during the Holidays >>>>

Re-read:  Holiday Gift Ideas.... or Dont's

http://professionalorganizer4u.blogspot.com/2010/11/holiday-gift-ideas-or-donts.html

Re-read:  Planning Ahead for the Holidays

http://professionalorganizer4u.blogspot.com/2011/10/planning-ahead-for-holidays.html


Re-read: Organizing Your Closets for Christmas

http://professionalorganizer4u.blogspot.com/2011/12/organizing-your-closets-for-christmas.html

Happy Holidays!

Organizational Consulting Services

www.organizationalconsultingservices.com

HAPPY ST. NICHOLAS DAY !

Growing up German, St. Nicholas Day was a very big deal for us. And still is. A boot is put outside the door on the night of the 5 th of December. St. Nicholas fills the boot with candy, chocolate and small gifts. As kids we liked to use my Dad's shoes because they were obviously bigger, which meant more candy! In the morning we would race to see what St. Nicholas brought us.

To me St. Nicholas Day is super special. It reminds me of my heritage. It is also the start of the Christmas season.

I want to wish all of you a very HAPPY ST. NICHOLAS DAY !!!!

Shopping for the Holidays - Do you have a Budget ?

 The holidays are here in full swing. Everyone is having a sale. There are bargains to be had everywhere.

Are you getting carried away?  Are you over-buying?  Just because it's on sale?

Come on.... be honest. It's hard not to get caught up in the shopping frenzy.

But....there will be a post-holiday letdown. It's called "getting your credit card bill"!

So take a step back. Find a quiet place - I mean away from the mall!  Sit down and take a realistic look at your finances.

Christmas is a time for family and friends. A time for giving of your "time" -  not necessarily spending money. Especially if you really don't have the money to spare. The economy is bad and everyone understands that.

So be realistic about the amount of money that you can actually spend on "gifts".

Set a "per person" budget. Also set a "holiday budget". That would include gifts and all the extra's that go with it (wrapping paper, cards, going out to parties....).

Think about the person when you are buying your gift. Will they really like it? Can they really use it? Remember, don't just buy a gift that you will like, buy one that they will like.  There is a big difference. And it's take a lot more time to find the perfect gift for each person. If you just buy a gift so that you can say that you gave them something - it will most certainly end up in the "clutter pile" and they will never use it.

Leave yourself plenty of time to find your gifts. Don't wait until the last minute. You will feel stressed and end up buying whatever is in front of you instead of what you really wanted.

Being organized for the holidays take a bit of planning. But if you plan things out and think of them ahead of time you will feel less stressed and you will be able to save money by buying only what you need.

Remember, don't just buy a gift because you feel that you "have" to. You should only buy gifts because you "want" to.

Stick to your budget and you won't feel the "after holiday shock" come January.



Happy Shopping...... and a Happy Holiday Season !


Organizational Consulting Services

http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com/

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Wishing you and your family a HAPPY THANKSGIVING !

Traveling for the Holidays

A lot of people will be traveling for the Holiday. Take the stress out of trip by being organized ahead of time.

Make a list of things to take so that you don't have to think about it as you pack. Make sure that you put clothes and personal items on the list. Don't forget coats, gloves, scarves. Remember to put any medication that you need on the list. Don't forget your glasses or your phone charger. Two things that you really don't want to be without.

It might sound silly to put all of these things down on paper but if you are leaving right after work you will be pressed for time and can easily forget things.

Make sure that your car is ready and gassed up at least a few days before you leave. Don't forget to check your wiper fluid and make sure that you have a snow brush in your car and that your tires are fully inflated.

Depending on the length of your trip you might want to have snacks with you (especially if you are traveling with children). And also toys and books to keep the children occupied.

Why constantly re-create these lists.....  do it once and you will always have it handy. You can tweak it after every trip and make your travels go much smoother.

Happy Traveling...... and a Happy Holiday !


Organizational Consulting Services

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