Organized A to Z Blog

Make Your List, Check it Twice: Make December Nice! – Part 5

December 18, 2009

Contributed by Organized A to Z partner, M. Colleen Klimczack, Certified Professional Organizer, Peace of Mind Professional Organizing

Meeting Common Holiday Challenges

Decorating:

• I worked with the client recently who reported dreading the decorating process she enjoyed it, mostly, but the idea of her 20 bands of Christmas staff scattered all over her basin and living room seems too daunting.
• I advised her to open one bin at a time, take out only the items she wanted and place it in her home, and then put the bin away.  One bin at a time.  Control the flow of chaos.
• Decisions: I came home if, and realized I could do that, too.  I thought I would try a theme this year, so…
• Supplies: I have been shopping in my own Christmas bins, selecting only the items I want, the ones that fit my “theme”, and putting the rest away.
• Action: the house looks nice, I am enjoying my minimalist attitude and my kids will be ecstatic when we put up Christmas tree this week. It’s all good!
• After the holidays, I will reassess what I did not get out this year  and decide if I want to get rid of it.

Entertaining:

• Decision:  I have a party coming up next week.  I have the time to shop and prepare items right now, but I have not decided on the menu.  So today, I will determine my menu (apps and a light meal, by the way).
• Supplies: Once I know my menu, I can look at what I have on hand, and then determine my shopping list.  And I can answer “Yes!” to people who have offered to bring things, and add those things to my menu, too.
• Then I can get cracking on my party planning.  And I love party planning!

Colleen provides her clients with some Peace Of Mind about their homes, schedules, paper, families and lives. Her areas of expertise are the home and home office, small businesses, paper and time management, attics, basements and garages, closets and kitchens, and kids and families. She offers a wide range of organizational services, from presentations to products, small business mentoring to maintenance plans. She is a member of The National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO), The Chicago Chapter of NAPO, The Evergreen Park Chamber of Commerce, and Faithful Organizers, a group for Christian Organizers.

Filed under: Holidays/Special Events,Organizing Tips