Staying Organized During the Holidays
The holidays are a wonderful time of year. Everyone is much happier and more cheerful, kids are playing in the snow, and gifts are being given left and right. With that cheer can come some disorganization, however. Unfortunately for some, the holidays are a time of stress and panic as they rush to get everything done. So how should you stay organized during this holiday season?
Gift Organization
Perhaps the biggest part of the holiday season is gift-giving. Depending on how many people you’re buying for, you could have dozens of gifts to buy and wrap in just a few short weeks. Keeping these gifts organized will make your life so much easier. Before you even wrap them up, have a designated storage spot for all your holiday gifts. This could be in storage baskets in the closet, a tote under your bed, or even just tucked away in a corner. By keeping all the gifts in one spot, you’ll be much less likely to lose one and have to shop last minute for something.
As it comes down to the wire and you’re starting to wrap things up, put names on gifts right away. Even if multiple gifts are going to the same person, don’t just count on yourself to remember what box goes to who. Put name tags on everything right away to eliminate confusion and get everything right where it needs to go. Aside from putting names on things, if multiple gifts are going to either the same person or place, try to keep them together. This could be as simple as putting things in different piles or shopping bags but will spare you a headache when it comes time to deliver your gifts. By keeping your presents organized, you can reduce confusion and frustration this holiday season.
Family Calendars
Another way you can stay organized this holiday season is with a family calendar. If you have a large family, chances are that everyone is running around doing different things and getting ready for different events. This can lead to some incredible confusion, but an easy way to stop that is by keeping everything in one place. By having a centralized calendar that everyone can put their plans on, you can keep track of all the events that are happening and plan accordingly. This will keep you on top of your game and make sure no one misses anything.
There are many different options you can take for a centralized calendar. If you wanted something more old school, you could get a large printed calendar and put it in a communal location in your house, such as the kitchen. By placing it somewhere where everyone can see it and add to it, it’ll be much easier for everyone to be on the same page. For something a little more modern, try a shared virtual calendar. This syncs right on your phone, allowing you to have your handy organizational tool with you wherever you go. No matter your taste, keeping all the events you have written down in one central location will spare you a headache this year.
Early Preparation
Finally, one of the easiest ways you can make your holiday season easier is by getting a head start. Especially when it comes to gifts, if you start buying early, chances are you won’t be as stressed when the actual holiday season rolls around. While this may not work as well for things like family dinners, you can still get the planning done for those. Many events around the holidays get set up months in advance, so you’ll be able to add those to your schedule early. Knowing what’s coming ahead of time will help to make your holiday season a breeze.
In conclusion, your holiday season doesn’t have to be stressful. By planning and staying organized, you can avoid running around like a headless chicken and instead focus on family, friends, and the love this season brings.
