Holidays

Simplify Your Holidays – Tip #3

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It’s already December 5. Christmas is only 20 days away. If you are mailing out cards and/or packages you need to be aware of the suggested last mailing dates put out by the United States Postal Service. The last day for First Class Mail is Dec 21. That’s only 17 days away. If you are mailing a package by Parcel Post then you have until Dec 16. That is only 12 days away.

Now is the time to buy those stamps so you can get the cards in the mail soon. You don’t want to waste your time standing in long lines because you waited till the last minute. Any gifts that need mailing should be bought now and mailed as soon as possible.

Chanukah starts next Friday, Dec 11. If you are sending out Chanukah cards you’ll want to get them in the mail by Monday or Tuesday of this coming week. Since the holiday lasts 8 days you have a little leeway if the cards or packages don’t arrive by the first day.

Any packages or cards being sent overseas, especially military need to be sent out as soon as possible. For all suggested mailing dates you can check out the USPS website.

There is nothing wrong with sending cards and packages early. It’s much better than being stressed by waiting in long lines at the post office. You will be able to enjoy your holidays so much more knowing the recipients of your love and friendship have received their cards and packages in time.

If you have any tips to share on “Simplifying Your Holidays ” then please share them in the comment section.

Thanks

Janice

https://cutclutterwithscissors.com

http://twitter.com/jlscissors

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Simplify Your Holidays – Tip #2

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The holiday greeting cards are starting to arrive in the mail. If you haven’t addressed yours yet, it’s time to get started.

Here is a list of things to do to help make sure you have current addresses.

1. Check the return addresses on all the cards you receive before throwing out the envelopes. Update your address book and your greeting card list with any changes.

2. If you receive a card from someone new be sure to add their name and address to your list. Don’t feel obligated to send a card back to them this year if it gets to late. You will have the name and address for next year.

3. Keep a few extra greeting cards and stamps around so you can send a card to the new person on your list if you want to.

If you haven’t even started your list yet you might want to check out my article “Holiday Greeting Card System“.

Please share any tips you have on simplifying the holidays by leaving a comment.

Thanks

Janice

https://cutclutterwithscissors.com

http://twitter.com/jlscissors

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Simplify Your Holidays – Tip 1

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One of the basic rules to control clutter is the in-and-out inventory rule. When something new comes in, something old must go out. This is the time of year where lots of new things come into the home. How about getting rid of some old things?

imageNow is the time to make room for all those new things, especially if you have young children who will be receiving gifts from grandparents, aunts and uncles, and you. Have your children go through all their old toys, with your help if necessary, and pull out the ones they don’t want anymore.

Throw away any broken ones. Any toys that are in good shape can be taken to a local charity collection center (Goodwill, etc.). This will help teach your children to get rid of the toys they no longer use and learn to bless others by donating them to a charity.

Their anticipation and appreciation for the new toys/gifts will be even greater without the old unused toys cluttering up their rooms and lives.

I will be posting many more tips on how to “Simplify Your Holidays” so be sure to check back often during the next few weeks. If you like, you can sign up to receive new blog posts by email. Just fill in your first name and email address in the top box on the right sidebar. (the one above the blue box)

Janice

https://cutclutterwithscissors.com

http://twitter.com/jlscissors

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How to Simplify the Holiday Season

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The holiday season is suppose to bring joy, peace, and gratitude for our family, our homes, and our friends. This is the ideal situation.

But for most people the reality is far from the ideal. With the economy the way it is many are struggling just to keep a roof over their head. Others are living in a chaotic mess both figuratively and literally.

So how do we find joy, peace, and gratitude in our lives? One way is to step back and take a good look at our surroundings and learn to simplify. There are areas of your life you can’t change at the moment but there are plenty that you can change. Many are small changes you can do that will help you move closer to the true meaning of this holiday season.

Here are some suggestions.

Holiday Decorations:

Do you look forward to unpacking boxes and boxes and boxes of decorations or are you feeling overwhelmed and dreading it? If you love it, then go for it! But if you are dreading all the work and time then take a few moments to think about why you do something you don’t enjoy.

Maybe this is the year to only take out a few favorite decorations and leave the rest packed up. Would the lack of massive decorations kill the spirit of the holiday for you? Probably not. Fewer decorations (and work) just may help your home look and feel more peaceful.

Presents: clip_image001

When it comes to the economy some are feeling it worse than others. However, we all want the most for our money. But this time of year we sometimes forget that it is the thought that counts and not how much we spend or how many gifts we give or receive.

You can reduce the stress (and clutter) by cutting back on your gift giving to family and friends. At the same time you may want to give more to those less fortunate.

Many local charities have a list of items that some of the neediest families in your home town need. Some charities have you pick a family (anonymously) and purchase some or all the things on their list. This could be the groceries needed for a holiday dinner or clothes such as a robe or slippers or even a winter coat. Get your children involved in the shopping and help them realize how important it is to help others. This helps you and your family put gratitude back into the season.

Holiday Meals:

We all have special foods we expect each year. It’s also fun to try new recipes. If you do all the planning, preparing, and cooking for the big family celebrations it may be time to let others help out.

Have different family members or friends who come to your home also bring a part of the meal. Don’t be afraid to ask. Most people would be honored if asked to bring a special dish. When everyone contributes to the meal they each get a chance to be complimented on their dish. They are no longer just a guest but part of the inner circle.

When everyone helps out it takes a lot of work and stress off of the main hostess. This helps put joy back in the season for everyone, not just the guests.

Small changes can add up. Don’t try to do it all, buy it all, or cook it all. This is the time where less really can be more – more joy, more peace, more gratitude.

Please share any ideas you may have in the comment section. Thanks.

Janice

https://cutclutterwithscissors.com

http://twitter.com/jlscissors

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Holiday Planning “To-Do List”

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Are you having Thanksgiving dinner at your house? What about Christmas or Hanukkah? Are you traveling out of town to visit relatives or are they coming to visit you?

If you answered “yes” to any of the above questions now is the time to start planning your “to-do list” so everything runs smooth and on time.

Turkey Rolls

Holiday Meal Planner

Gather up a pad of paper or spiral notebook, a calendar, and a pen. If you are planning a holiday meal decide what the whole menu will be and write it down on one piece of paper. Do this at least several weeks before the date.

If guests and/or family members bring different dishes, write their name next to it on the menu. Make sure they know what they are expected to bring and how many guests will be at the table.

Once you know what dishes your will be making then write down all the ingredients needed. Make a shopping list and take advantage of the sales on the non-perishables ahead of time.

 

Holiday Home Cleaning Planner

Creating a planner to prepare your home for the holiday meal is similar the plan for the meal. It can be set up in the same notebook. Make a list of everything that needs to be done starting with the day of the party and work your way backwards. If you work outside the home and don’t have a full couple of days ahead to clean, then list a few tasks for each day starting 3 or 4 days to a week ahead of time.

List the day and date and then fill in what you want to get done on those days. If you don’t complete the task on the designated day then transfer it to the next day. It will make more work for you the next day but also give you a greater sense of urgency if you keep procrastinating. Enlist help from family members. Write their name next to the task and let them mark it off when they have completed it. This will help them know what is expected from them each day.

 

Travel Planner

If you’re traveling to visit relatives, make a Travel Planner to keep you organized.

 

Please let me know how you plan your holiday meals or trips by leaving a comment.

Thanks,

Janice

https://www.facebook.com/CutClutterWithScissors/

http://twitter.com/jlscissors

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