Destressing Christmas, Part 4 - Organizing Your Cleaning and Decorating

I love having people in over the holidays! But that means my house must be clean and, of course, I’ll want to decorate. If I wait until the last minute, though, I’m stressed! Here are a few thoughts to help you avoid that stress:

Cleaning

- Determine cleaning chores that need to be done for the holidays. Parcel out chores over the weeks remaining before Christmas, starting with the ones that are long-lasting: cleaning the silver or the carpet, decluttering and purging, etc. Save the surface cleaning until closer to your events. Or, if you haven’t cleaned for a while, just get caught up on your cleaning and do it every week.

- If your list of chores seems too overwhelming, work on them in 15-minute segments and do them 2-4 times a day. If they are still too overwhelming, eliminate some! Enlist family/house members to help with the cleaning chores.

- This is not a time for major home repair, sewing projects, painting, or other major projects!

If you don't know where to start, you may want to take a look at Three Steps to Clever Cleaning.

Decorating

When the time comes for decorating, here are a few hints:

- If you have a lot of decorating to do, prioritize your list and schedule the individual items on your list.

- As you decorate, remove your regular decorating accessories and put them in the boxes from which you took your Christmas decorating items. That way, you won’t have to remember where you put them. I have a friend who couldn’t find her regular decorating items for a couple of months after the holidays one year!

- Take this opportunity to purge any decorating items or holiday items you no longer need or want. A great time to declutter! By doing this, the number of boxes you must get out every year decreases.

- Make holiday decorating a family affair, using items that have sentimental value to family members. Warm up some apple cider and put on some music!

- When you put your Christmas items away, make a list of what you have – decorating items, wrapping supplies, paper products, cards, extra gift items, dishes, etc., so you don’t duplicate them. Also make a list of items you need to purchase for next year and pick them up during the sales, if possible. This is a great time of year to get holiday storage boxes at a reduced price, too.

Do you have some great cleaning or decorating ideas you'd like to pass on?


Related Posts: Destressing Christmas, Part 1 - Think Through Your Expectations, Destressing Christmas, Part 2 - Thinking Through the Needs of Your Family and Friends, Destressing Christmas, Part 3 - Smart Gift-Giving

Posts from 2007: Destressing Christmas, Part 1 - Think through your expectations, Destressing Christmas, Part 2 - Think through your family/friendship needs and commitments, Destressing Christmas, Part 3 - Think through gifts, Destressing Christmas, Part 4 - Think through cleaning/decorating/entertaining, Destressing Christmas, Part 5 - Think through your health, Destressing Christmas, Part 6 - Think through your calendar, Organizing Your Holiday Meals

The Best Time of Day to Take the Dog for a Walk

Another “best time to …” tip from Real Simple magazine. Today we’re looking at the best time to walk your dog. They say the best time is between 8-9 pm. In the evening you have more time to stroll than in the morning. And your dog has more time to “linger over exciting smells and sounds missed on the morning-rush walk.”

Organizing College Applications

College applications are complicated - especially when applications are being made to several schools. If you or your child is applying for college this year, organization is essential! Here are a few thoughts:

Using a file cabinet or a plastic crate, label hanging files for each school in the running. Place all pertinent data for each school in its own file. If you want to get extra-organized, have file folders within each hanging file for: applications, school information, notes from a campus visit, etc.

Write application deadlines on one calendar, and set intermediate deadlines to pace yourself.

Make a checklist for each application, listing what is required for each school. Check off each item when completed. Place each checklist in the front its respective application file. With a glance, you can see what’s missing without having to go through the entire file.

Create similar files for financial aid forms, scholarship applications and other areas of interest.

Do you have any hot tips or shortcuts for organizing college applications?


Related blogs: Getting Organized for School/College - Software Tools, Organizing for College - Guest Blogger Sarah Scrafford, Getting Organized for School - Backpack Checklist, Organizing for School - Papers, Organizing For College - Dorm Room, Check out CampusCalmU, Finals Survival Kits for College Students' Finals, Packing for College

Swapping Out and Purging Your Seasonal Clothes

Fall is a great time to declutter and purge. If you live in a part of the country where seasons change, the crisp air is energizing! And that means swapping out your clothes to prepare for cool weather coming. While doing so, take the opportunity to purge.

First, go through your summer clothes as you take them out of your closet and drawers. And then start on your winter clothes.

Ask yourself: Do I love this article of clothing? Does it make me feel fabulous? Have I been waiting too long to get into this size? Is it out of date? Is it shabby? Have I worn it in the last year? Do the same with shoes, purses, belts, underwear and socks. Make sure you leave out a couple of summer outfits for those occasional warm days.

As you purge, place your unwanted items in a giveaway stack and a throwaway stack. My husband fills up his collection of rags at this time of year!

Thrift stores appreciate getting fall items at the beginning of the season. (If you're really energetic, they are taking Christmas items now, too!) Make a list of your donated items for tax purposes. Salvation Army has a valuation guide for donations to help you determine the value of your donated items.

Next, organize your clothing according to style (casual, dressy casual, dressy), type (pants, sweaters, etc.), length (short sleeve, 3/4 sleeve, long sleeve; long pants, capri length, etc.), and color - put like colors together.

With a glance you can evaluate your shoppping needs. And getting dressed in the morning just got easier! Now your closet will have breathing room - your clothes will not get wrinkled from being too crowded.

What are your tips for swapping out seasonal clothes?


Related blogs: Declutter as You Change Your Seasonal Clothes (updated and recycled into today's blog), Donating Business Clothing for Job Interviews

Simply Sensational Divas' Review of Three Steps to Clever Cleaning and Three Steps to Time Management for the Stay-at-Home Mom

Tammy, one of the seven divas at Simply Sensational Divas Review, has reviewed a couple of my books: Three Steps to Clever Cleaning and Three Steps to Time Management for the Stay-at-Home Mom. Simply Sensational Divas is a brand new blog, in fact it hasn't even launched yet, but they already have tons of reviews! So go on over and look around. Sign up so you don't miss anything!

We Now Have 1-2-3...Get Organized Gift Certificates!

I am very excited to announce that we now have gift certificates available for our 1-2-3...Get Organized books, workbooks, and services! Just in time for smart gift-giving! They are available in $25, $50, $75, and $100 increments.

Destressing Christmas, Part 3 - Smart Gift-Giving

My brother loves the crowds and the hustle and bustle of holiday shopping. I don’t know many others who do, though! I am stressed if I have to elbow my way through a store or not be able to find what I want because I waited too late. If you are smart, you can make holiday gift-giving less stressful. Here are a few ideas:

- Make a master list of gifts you need to buy or make along with a budget for the amount you want to spend. Stick to your budget and don't buy impulsively. Don't compete with family and friends - spend what you can afford.

- Set a deadline for finishing your shopping in order to avoid crowds, the last-minute rush, and poor selection. Remember those gifts for teachers, religious teachers, extra-curricular instructors, and stocking stuffers. Buy the same gift for several people on your list, if appropriate. Take advantage of the sales after Christmas to shop for next year's list.

- Plan your shopping trips. What stores might have most of your gifts? What is the most efficient route to the stores on your list? A little planning avoids backtracking, saving time and gas.

- Consider gift certificates that can be sent to the recipients via email or U.S. mail. Or shop online and have your purchases sent directly to the recipients. You don’t have to wrap either of these gifts!

- If you're into making your own Christmas gifts, mass produce a gift and give it to as many people on your list as possible. To reduce stress, choose a gift that doesn't have to be made at the last minute. Create deadlines for each stage of production, if applicable, so you’re finished in plenty of time.

- As you buy or make gifts, wrap them so you don't have a massive pile to do at one time. Use TV time or other mindless time to wrap. How efficient - you're doubling your time!

- Your children will be bombarded with commercial after commercial during the holiday season, and they may want it all! Have a conversation with them about realistic expectations, so they won't be disappointed. Make gift suggestions to relatives who are shopping for your children.


If you want to get away from expensive or excessive gifts, consider alternative ideas:

- Instead of exchanging gifts, experience an event together: a day trip, a service project, a holiday event, etc.

- Take the money you would have spent on gifts for each other and donate it to a cause or your favorite charity or a needy family. My parents live in Oklahoma and the year of the bombing of the federal building in Oklahoma City, they asked us to donate to The Salvation Army in their names, as that organization was so instrumental in helping during the aftermath.

- Consider drawing names or doing a "nice" white elephant game with a dollar limit on the gift.

- Give gift certificates of your time or service: babysitting, cleaning, meal preparation, handyman work, running errands, etc.

- Consider a “buy nothing” Christmas. This site gives scores of ideas from people who want to leave no footprint on the earth. Last year we gave home-grown herbs from our garden to some of our family and friends.

- With some friends or family, you may want to call a moratorium on gifts, especially when you get to the point of not needing anything. If it’s the thought that counts, try writing your thoughts down and giving them a note or letter expressing your gratitude for their friendship or love.

The holidays can be a stressful time. With a little planning, you can reduce the stress of holiday shopping and enjoy blessing your friends - without straining your budget or your temper!

What are your creative ideas for gift-giving?


Related Posts: Destressing Christmas, Part 1 - Think Through Your Expectations, Destressing Christmas, Part 2 - Thinking Through the Needs of Your Family and Friends Posts from 2007: Destressing Christmas, Part 1 - Think through your expectations, Destressing Christmas, Part 2 - Think through your family/friendship needs and commitments, Destressing Christmas, Part 3 - Think through gifts, Destressing Christmas, Part 4 - Think through cleaning/decorating/entertaining, Destressing Christmas, Part 5 - Think through your health, Destressing Christmas, Part 6 - Think through your calendar, Organizing Your Holiday Meals

My National Preparedness Kit Saved the Day!

Remember that land line phone we talked about in our National Preparedness Kit? Well, mine came in handy today. Yesterday my regular phone in my office started acting strange so my husband went out to get replacement batteries ($24 ugh!). And the phone had to charge for 24 hours.

Today when I got a call, the phone was still malfunctioning. So I grabbed my land line phone out of my emergency drawer, and voila! - all set up. Except for the fact that I can't tell who is calling. But we'll deal with that another day. At least I have a phone!

When Should You Take Your Vitamins?

Real Simple Magazine had an article on the best time of days to do certain activities. I’ll be featuring some of these suggestions over the next few weeks.

When is the best time of day to take a multivitamin? The answer: breakfast. I think I have vaguely heard something like this, but here are some convincing reasons why:

“Taking your supplements with a meal is important because ‘vitamins are components of food, and whether water soluble or fat soluble, they are absorbed better with food,’ says Shari Lieberman, Ph.D., a New York City and Hillsboro Beach, Florida, nutrition scientist and a coauthor of The Real Vitamin & Mineral Book (Avery Publishing, $13, www.amazon.com). ‘Also, as with many other pills, you’re more likely to get queasy if you take multivitamins on an empty stomach.’

Breakfast is the meal of choice. Because most people have it at home (whereas lunch and dinner are often eaten elsewhere), making the morning meal your time for vitamin-popping will help you stick with the habit. Another reason dinnertime may not be a good option, Lieberman adds, is that certain nutrients, including vitamin B, may keep you awake. “

Isn't that good to know?

Interview by Get Green Baby

I had the pleasure of being interviewed by Jamie Ussher over at Baby Get Green recently. You can find the interview on her new blog where her logo is "striving to live a simple and peaceful life...here you'll find tips, ideas, and stories of our efforts". Stop by and check out her great ideas!

Destressing Christmas, Part 2 - Thinking Through the Needs of Your Family and Friends

If I calculate correctly, we are 89 days away from Christmas. So let's look at another way to destress Christmas: thinking about the needs of your family and friends. By using this as a filter, you can reduce some holiday stress. As I said last week, I'm updating my blogs on this subject from last year. Here are some thoughts I had:

Choose whom you want to spend time with over the holidays - friends or family who refresh, encourage, and cheer you. Take the initiative to make that happen.

Do you have friends who might be alone whom you could include in your holiday plans? Have you included a healthy amount of giving to others who might otherwise be neglected? Your heart will overflow with joy as you reach out to others!

If getting together with your relatives is too painful or unhealthy, give yourself permission not to attend. If you, your spouse, or your children might be subjected to verbal, emotional or physical abuse, don't put yourselves in this unsafe place. Even if it hurts others' feelings, you cannot condone unhealthy or painful treatment by attending.

Consider family problems when planning gatherings. Be proactive in order to minimize Uncle John's drinking problem by having a brunch rather than a dinner. If Cousin Sally's conversation is predominantly negative or a never-ending flow, plan some conversation starters or games to reduce her dominance.

If it's just too difficult for you to travel during the holidays, don't let others guilt-trip you into travelling anyway. Be honest and stick to your guns for your own benefit and that of your family. Invite your relatives to visit you (if that is better for you) or suggest another time of year for a visit when life is less hectic.

Consider the needs of your family. If you have small children who need naps and a consistent bedtime (who doesn’t qualify for that one?!!), don’t overschedule. Make sure the events you plan to attend are age appropriate for your children. Don’t have an unrealistic idea of what they can grasp and endure.

Study your family. Know what delights each one and what stresses each one, including yourself. Plan accordingly. When our girls were small, one of our daughters would respond to an overplanned schedule by vomitting - a pretty clear message! (Sorry to be graphic.) So I had to be careful not to pack our schedule too tightly.

By anticipating your needs and those of your family and friends, you can be intentional about your holidays. You’ll be able to weed out those items that don’t fit, plan around potential hazards, and create memorable experiences for those you love.

What are your family's delights and stresses?


Related Posts: Destressing Christmas, Part 1 - Think Through Your Expectations, Posts from 2007: Destressing Christmas, Part 1 - Think through your expectations, Destressing Christmas, Part 2 - Think through your family/friendship needs and commitments, Destressing Christmas, Part 3 - Think through gifts, Destressing Christmas, Part 4 - Think through cleaning/decorating/entertaining, Destressing Christmas, Part 5 - Think through your health, Destressing Christmas, Part 6 - Think through your calendar, Organizing Your Holiday Meals

Review by Photo Bug Baby

Photo Bug Baby has reviewed two of my books, Three Steps to Time Management for the College Student and Three Steps to Planning Your Child's Parties. If you're a photo bug, you must enter one of their numerous photo contests! What a fun place!

National Preparedness Month - Wrapping It Up: Surge Protectors, Utilities, and More

National Preparedness Month – Wrapping it Up: Surge Protectors, Utilities, and More

Today we’ll wrap up National Preparedness Month with a few more important pieces that need to be in place.

Surge Protectors

There is a lot of advice out there on what to look for in surge protectors: about clamping voltages, response nanoseconds, and joule levels. WorldStart.com offers this advice:

“The easiest way to tell if you're getting a quality surge protector is to look at the "connected equipment" warranty. I like the ones that cover connected equipment for up to $15,000 or more. I figure it they are willing to risk 15K +, they're probably selling a good piece of equipment. If it doesn't have a connected equipment warranty, set it back on the shelf and keep a-walkin' .”

They also encourage you to find a surge protector with a phone line pass through. “Telephone wires can deliver a potent surge into your computer. I've repaired (and seen) more than a few computers that were damaged due to telephone line power surges.”

Utilities

Homeland Security suggests that you learn how and when to turn off your utilities. If your home sustains damage, they instruct you to turn off your utilities:
- “Locate the electric, gas and water shut-off valves.
- Keep necessary tools near gas and water shut-off valves.
- Teach family members how to turn off utilities.
- If you turn the gas off, a professional must turn it back on. Do not attempt to do this yourself.”

More Information

Homeland Security also provides information for specific emergencies and disasters: biological threat, blackouts, chemical threat, earthquakes, explosions, extreme heat, fires, floods, hurricanes, influenza pandemic, landslide and debris flow (mudslide), nuclear threat, radiation threat, thunderstorms, tornadoes, tsunamis, volcanoes, wildfires, winter storms and extreme cold. Go to the above link to find the information you need for your location, print it out, digest it, and put it with your emergency kit.

A Couple More Things

I thought of a couple more things I think are necessary to protect your important documents: a fireproof safe, a safe deposit box at the bank, and a shredder.

There are some papers and other items you want to have on hand but want to be protected from theft or fire, hence the safe. For those items that need long-term safe keeping, a safe deposit box is valuable. And a shredder protects your identity – shredding those documents that contain sensitive information prevents others from obtaining that information.

Whew! This has been quite a journey, hasn’t it? It eases my mind to know that all these emergency preparations are in place should an emergency occur. I still have a few documents I need to copy, but for the most part, I think I’m ready. What about you?

Related Posts: National Preparedness Month - Making a Plan, National Preparedness Month - Determining Potential Emergencies, National Preparedness Month - Emergency Kit #1: NOAA Radio, National Preparedness Month - Emergency Kit #2: Landline Phone, National Preparedness Month - Emergency Kit #3 - Water, National Preparedness Month - Emergency Kit #4 - First Aid Kit, National Preparedness Month - Emergency Kit #5 - Additional Supplies, National Preparedness Month - Emergency Kit #6 - Food, National Preparedness Month - Emergency Kit #7 - Medications and Medical Supplies, National Preparedness Month - Emergency Kit #8 - Emergency Documents, National Preparedness Month - Evacuation Plan, National Preparedness Month – Evacuation from Work, School, Daycare, and Neighborhood Communities

Source: National Preparedness Month

Local Crime Prevention Classes - Today and Tomorrow

Another opportunity to prepare for your own safety!


"Refuse to be a Victim" taught by Jim Orndorf, is being offered by the Cuyahoga Falls Parks and Recreation Department.

Participants will learn:
- strategies that will help avoid situations where self defense is required
- how to be proactive rather than reactive
- how to create a personalized safety plan
- safety strategies
- how to use your internet service provider's parental control options.

Today's class (September 24) is from 6 to 10 pm and tomorrow's class (September 25) is from 12:30 to 4:30 pm. Registration is $2 for residents and $4 for nonresidents. Classes are held at the Quirk Center.

National Preparedness Month – Evacuation from Work, School, Daycare, and Neighborhood Communities

Yesterday we talked about creating evacuation plans from home. Today we’re going to look at evacuating from places you and family members frequent: work, school, daycare, adult daycare, and living communities (apartments, neighborhoods, etc.).

Consider volunteering to set up evacuation plans if none exist. As at home, having an evacuation plan for other locations will help you and family members reunite with the least amount of chaos. These plans should be communicated clearly and practiced.

Homeland Security suggests “if you are a parent, or guardian of an elderly or disabled adult, make sure schools and daycare providers have emergency response plans.

- Ask how they will communicate with families during a crisis.
- Ask if they store adequate food, water and other basic supplies.
- Find out if they are prepared to "shelter-in-place" if need be, and where they plan to go if they must get away.”

Visit http://www.ed.gov/emergencyplan for school emergency plans.

Visit Ready Kids for kid-friendly emergency information.

If you are an employer, visit Ready Business to make sure you are prepared for an evacuation, sheltering your employees, and related topics.

Visit Homeland Security’s Neighborhoods and Apartments section and Citizen Corps for community plans.

Related Posts: National Preparedness Month - Making a Plan, National Preparedness Month - Determining Potential Emergencies, National Preparedness Month - Emergency Kit #1: NOAA Radio, National Preparedness Month - Emergency Kit #2: Landline Phone, National Preparedness Month - Emergency Kit #3 - Water, National Preparedness Month - Emergency Kit #4 - First Aid Kit, National Preparedness Month - Emergency Kit #5 - Additional Supplies, National Preparedness Month - Emergency Kit #6 - Food, National Preparedness Month - Emergency Kit #7 - Medications and Medical Supplies, National Preparedness Month - Emergency Kit #8 - Emergency Documents, National Preparedness Month - Evacuation Plan

Source: National Preparedness Month