Clutter Busting: The Ultimate Christmas Countdown – Week #1

Thanksgiving is over and now it is time to focus on the upcoming holidays. Follow along on these missions as Betsy shows you how a little bit of organization can really help with the holiday stress.Â

Week #1:Â START WHERE YOU STAND

Are you feeling overwhelmed already? You are not alone! The best way to combat stress is to gain a bit of the control back. First, get yourself a December Calendar (if you don’t already have one) and start planning your Holiday festivities. If you are looking for a free online calendar perfect to organize your entire family throughout the year, I highly recommend Google Calendar: google.calendar.com. Does your church have a banquet? Is there going to be a party at the school, daycare, or office? Put these on your calendar now so you don’t double book yourself! Also, do a little research in your area for fun things for the family. Â

Possibly consider planning a Christmas cookie exchange party. They are so much fun, and a terrific way to get a variety of cookies without a whole lot of work! Plan the date now, and let people know that you’ll be having it! Another fun party is a tree trimming party. Invite a few friends and/or relatives to watch or help you decorate your tree. Take a task that may be daunting and make a party out of it!

Your second mission for the week is to get your gift list in order. Make sure to include everyone on this list. Often times it is the little purchases that can really add up in the end. Make sure to make a budget and stick to it! Once this list is done, tuck it away in your wallet and make sure to refer to it while shopping, and take special care to keep it updated so you don’t overbuy.

How to start organize a cookie exchange:

Would you like to do a cookie exchange but don’t know how? Here’s how mine works. Every year it is hosted at my Mom’s house, usually 1 week before Christmas. We make at least two big pots of soup, my Mom makes homemade bread, and of course we have cookies. Ours is with kids, but I have heard of adult-only parties which would be fun, too. I usually invite around 12 people and it is very important that I am sure of the RSVP number so everyone knows how many dozens they must make. Each person brings a dozen cookies for each person, and each dozen is separately packaged on a plate w/plastic wrap or in a tin. It really does not matter how it is wrapped; just so that there is 1 dozen of each cookie for everyone to take home. We bring an extra dozen un-wrapped and we pile them on a big platter and enjoy them during the party! Usually when people RSVP I ask what type of cookie they are going to make so we have a variety of cookies!

When I come home from the party I open up all the packages and make little platters or tins for the neighbors. Juliet delivers the cookies and they are always gladly welcomed! It is so nice to have a variety of cookies when people visit and we have cookies for Christmas Eve and Day. It’s nice to have a Martha Stewart looking spread when I actually only made 1 type.

CLEVER GIFT-GIVING

Although I was not born especially talented in the crafty department, I do like to add a special clever touch to the gifts that I give. A great way to turn several inexpensive items into a creation all your own is to make a gift basket. You can personalize the basket to the recipient with all sorts of special touches. Have a special mom friend who is overwhelmed by life? How about a Mommy SOS Kit: tea bags, chocolate, relaxing CD, bath beads, journal or chick lit fiction, wine, etc.

Some other ideas: Â Â

• Chocolate Lover’s Gift Baskets
• Crafters Basket
• Gardener’s basket
• Pasta Lover’s Basket
• Pizza Lover’s BasketÂ
• Tea Lover’s Basket Â
• New Baby’s BasketÂ
• Book Lover’s Basket
• Baker’s Basket
• Barbecue Lover’s Gift Basket
• Candle Lover’s Basket
• Coffee Lover’s Basket Â
• Couch Potato Basket
• Dinner and Movie Basket
• New Parents’ Basket
• Fiesta BasketÂ
• Health Food Basket
• Office/Work themed Baskets
• Spa Gift Baskets
• Naturalist’s Basket
• Vegetarian Basket

Finally, here are my thoughts on re-gifting. I spend a lot of time working in people’s attics and basements, closets and drawers, and I can honestly say that I have seen PLENTY of gifts that were unwanted, unneeded, and have remained unused. Many of these gifts are still in the original packages. I understand the perplexing conundrum as to what to do with these gifts that you don’t want, and so I am giving you permission to let them go! It is not serving any purpose being tucked away indefinitely; it is quite simply a waste. Want a creative way to re-gift? A group of my friends and I are doing a re-gift exchange; the gift brought to the exchange must have been a previous gift.

Have any other suggestions? Post them below!

Have Fun!
Betsy
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