Holidays Archives - Page 14 of 24 - Cut Clutter With Scissors

Valentine’s Day Ideas

February 9, 2010 / Janice

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner. It’s a chance to tell the special people in your life how much they mean to you. Sometimes we are so caught up in our daily lives that we forget to express our love for each other. Some people have a hard time saying those three small, but oh so important words – “I Love You”.

Below are several websites loaded with crafts, recipes, and other ideas to help you and your children say those words. You can buy cards or you can make them yourself. You can buy candy and other food gifts or you can make some cookies with your children. It’s up to you.

The important thing is to spend time with your loved ones. Tell them in words, verbal or written, how much they mean to you. Be sure to check out these sites for lots of ideas.

http://www.kaboose.com/features/valentines/valentines-bba.html

http://www.holidays.net/amore/

http://www.dltk-holidays.com/valentines/index.htm

http://www.stvalentinesday.org/

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/valentine/

http://www.theholidayspot.com/valentine/

Happy Valentine’s Day

Janice

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Storing Holiday Decorations

December 28, 2009 / Janice

This week the local discount and hardware stores are advertising for sale all kinds of storage containers and shelving. They want to help you get organized by storing your decorations in lots of fancy containers. But do you really need so many containers? Of course, it depends on how much “stuff” you have to store.

Now is a good time to declutter you decorations because you can be more objective about them. It will be fresh in your mind as to what worked and what didn’t work. There is no reason to store the broken decorations or ones you didn’t like or have room for.

Below are some questions to ask yourself about your decorations before you go buy lots of boxes to store them. After decluttering you may not need as many boxes, therefore saving you money for other things.

Is it broken? Can it be fixed and is it worth it?
Do you love the item and does it make you smile when you see it displayed?
Do you have a space to display it?
Are you keeping the item,even though you don’t like it, because you’ve always had it or someone gave it to you?
Is the item easy to pack away for next year?
Does it take special packing material and/or containers to store it?
Is it easy to unpack and clean up for use each year?
Do you have room to store it?

Throw away the broken items and give away the ones that are good but you no longer want to use.

Janice

https://cutclutterwithscissors.com

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Gratitude List

December 24, 2009 / Janice

This is the time of year where we get so caught up in the holidays that we sometimes forget the little and not so little things in our lives that really matter. The Decluttering/Organizing Tip in this week’s newsletter is to take 5-10 minutes and write down the things we are truly grateful for.

Decluttering/Organizing Tip – Gratitude

A quick way to catch your breath, put a smile on your face, and relax is to write out a Gratitude List.

Gather a pen or pencil, a piece of paper or notebook and a timer (optional). Sit down some place quiet where you can write. If necessary you can go to a bathroom, or even a lighted closet to get away from the hustle and bustle around you.
Set the timer for 5-10 minutes. Write down as many things as you can that you are truly grateful for. Your health, your family’s health, the roof over your head, food on the table, your children’s smiles and kisses, etc.
When you are done writing this list read it over a couple of times. You should be breathing slower now. You should be more relaxed and not sweating about all the little things that aren’t really that important. You should have a smile on your face.
Now go enjoy your family and friends and the holidays. Anytime you start feeling overwhelmed or frazzled, go read the list again. You could even put the list on your fridge or bathroom mirror to constantly remind you of what really counts.

Happy Holidays

Janice

https://cutclutterwithscissors.com

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Simplify Your Holiday – Tip #10

December 15, 2009 / Janice

Are you traveling this holiday season? If you are here are a few tips to help your trip be more organized and fun.

Double check the weather of your destination a week before you leave. You may need to adjust what kind and how much clothing you pack. The weather is unpredictable in many areas this time of year.
If you are traveling by plane and taking gifts with you don’t gift wrap them until you arrive at your destination. Security check points may need to see inside the boxes or containers. You can bring wrapping paper, ribbon, tape, and a very small scissors (blades shorter than 4 inches). For more information on what can and cannot be taken on a plane, check out the TSA website.
Just because you are traveling by car doesn’t mean you have to over pack it. You will want to leave room for any gifts you receive.
Make a Travel Planner and write down everything you want to pack and any other information you may need while you are away. Check out this article for more details on creating your own Travel Planner.

Have a fun, safe, and organized trip by planning ahead.

If you have any tips to share on traveling at this time of year please write them in the comment section. Thanks.

Janice

https://cutclutterwithscissors.com

http://twitter.com/jlscissors

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Simplify Your Holidays – Tip #9

December 14, 2009 / Janice

Food is a huge part of the holidays. There’s parties and family dinners along with all the homemade food gifts (cookies, candies, cakes). If you are the one who is in charge of the planning, cooking, and preparing for a party or family dinner then here are some tips to help it from becoming overwhelming.

1. Keep meals simple. Not every dish served at the meal has to be a gourmet delight. If the entree is fancy then keep the sides simple and easy.

2. Make as much ahead of time as possible. You want to be able to spend more time with your guests and less time in the kitchen cooking.

3. Consider Pot Luck parties. Have a horsdoeuvre or dessert party and asks guests to bring their favorite recipe.

4. For a family dinner you can assign a portion of the meal to each person or family. Sharing takes the responsibility off of one person (usually you) from having to do it all. Instead of feeling like just guests they will also feel like contributors.

Remember that people are the most important ingredient at your party or family dinner.