Clutter Busting

Holiday Joy: Four Weeks and Counting

November 25, 2017 by clutterbusting Leave a Comment

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

November 18, 2017 by clutterbusting Leave a Comment

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

November 11, 2017 by clutterbusting Leave a Comment

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.

Holiday Joy: To Re-gift or not…

November 4, 2017 by clutterbusting Leave a Comment

The Thursday before Christmas is recognized as National Re-gifting day. It was chosen in honor of office parties, the typical office gift exchange and since that day seems to be the most common day for office parties. This year, that day would be December 21.

I usually post something about re-gifting closer to the observance, but this year I thought I would start my holiday posts with a few words on the subject.

Not only is re-gifting a good decluttering idea, it is a method of recycling. And approximately 14% of those surveyed believe that re-gifting is becoming more popular for that reason. In addition, it can be kinder on your budget.

As you plan your gift giving list this year, start with looking at items you have on-hand that could be used as holiday gifts.

Yet you should still use caution and keep in mind the following re-gifting etiquette:

be sure the recipient will enjoy the gift.
the gift should be brand new and unused.
don’t re-gift if it is handmade or personalized.
re-wrap the gift and remove the previous gift tag.

If at any point you feel uncomfortable, then you probably shouldn’t re-gift and consider taking the items to the consignment shop or donating it.

I packaged a few items that I wasn’t using with some new things to make small gift baskets to donate to my church’s holiday bingo. And I must say they looked great and I felt good that they would be put to use.

So consider re-gifting this year. Start with one thing. And don’t select a “white elephant”.

Holiday Joy: You Need a Plan

October 28, 2017 by clutterbusting Leave a Comment

Is the joy missing from your holidays? Are you overwhelmed every year with holiday celebrations and all there is to do each year. Did you know that Christmas is eight weeks away?

Most times we are overwhelmed because we don’t give ourselves enough time to plan and do all that we want to do to make the holiday merry and bright for our families and friends. Many of us don’t even start thinking about the holiday until Thanksgiving and then we only have four or five weeks to get it all done.

So are wondering how you can get it all done without losing the holiday spirit?

You have to have a plan. Starting at least eight weeks ahead, or around November 1, you can divide and conquer your celebration preparations so the holiday spirit remains joyful in you.

If you would like to receive a copy of my eight-week Clutter Busting Holiday Checklist, contact me and I will send you a free copy.