Get Yourself Organized for Christmas Project 16: Take Time for You

Get Yourself Organized for Christmas Project 16: Take Time for You

by | Dec 6, 2017 | Blog, Christmas, Overwhelmed | 1 comment

time for you

Take time for you!

When was the last time you made time for you? Like literally planning nothing? Now sure, you may write on your calendar ‘get pedicure’ (that counts), but there is this GLORIOUS thing on a calendar called white space. Have you heard of it?? It is literally that … space for nothing. You should try and add some white space to that busy calendar of yours! (For inspiration, check out this classic podcast: Finding Whitespace During Christmas)

Assignment:
Find one way to refresh and recharge and find time for you in the midst of the busy Christmas season!

Here are some ideas:

  • get lunch with a friend
  • take a long hot shower
  • read a book in a cozy chair with a hot cup of tea
  • browse Pinterest mindlessly for one hour, guilt free
  • watch a great Christmas classic on TV
  • call a friend and talk for long enough that it felt like a visit
  • choose two days next month on the calendar for white space

Lest you be tempted, today is not a catch up day, it’s a RELAX day. You deserve it once in a while. Besides, you will be so much more effective when you take time for you.

For More Details: Get Yourself Organized For Christmas – Page 92

 

Share Your Thoughts:

How did you do planning your ‘white space’? Did you do nothing? Did you get a much-needed nap or pedicure?

Avoiding Overwhelm:

Are you rest-resistant because you think that if Christmas is going to happen at all this year it is completely up to you? And there is so much left to do. Breathe deep. Recognize that you’re trying to play God. Repent. And then rest, guilt-free.

And join us over on the Clutter Free Academy Facebook group where we encourage one another and stay accountable as we become Clutter Free!

Get Yourself Organized for Christmas Project 15: Get Those Stockings Ready

Get Yourself Organized for Christmas Project 15: Get Those Stockings Ready

by | Dec 5, 2017 | Blog, Christmas, Overwhelmed | 1 comment

stockings

A Plan for Stockings

It is time to make a plan for stockings! Spend time today deciding how much you would like to spend for each one and/or how many gifts you would like to put in each. Next come up with a system for storing and keeping stocking gifts organized.

Once you are planned out, it is time to start shopping. You can buy a few stuffers each time you go out this month if you have not already started stockpiling. Online shopping is another easy way to shop for stockings.

Stockings are a great area to help us remember to be intentional. Be sure you are filling them with items the receiver will love and use. Getting a small amount of items you adore is much better than an overstuffed sock where the majority of the items will soon find their way to the trash or donation box.

Assignment: Get those stockings ready.

  1. Make sure you know where the stockings are and that you have one for each person who will be there on Christmas.
  2. Make a plan. (How many gifts you will need depends on the size of the stocking and gifts.)
  3. Come up with a system of storing the stocking stuffers.
  4. Shop as you see things when you are out and about. Make it your goal to pick up one or two things for stockings each time you go shopping, and you will slowly whittle away at your list.

Check out Kathi’s Quick Tips in the book for ideas for stocking stuffers.

You can always include one small gift that is a bit more expensive in the stocking.

For More Details: Get Yourself Organized For Christmas – Page 88

Supplies:

1) Stockings
2) Small gifts (You won’t need these today)
3) Hooks

Share Your Thoughts:

What are your favorite small stocking stuffers? When do you empty the stockings at your house? Do you have any family traditions surrounding the stockings? What item would you like to see in your stocking this year?

Avoiding Overwhelm:

Christmas often means spending time with family and acquaintances we don’t see the rest of the year. This can be wonderful! And draining. Especially during this season of Hallmark movies and Norman Rockwell paintings, be careful who you share your heart with.

And join us over on the Clutter Free Academy Facebook group where we encourage one another and stay accountable as we become Clutter Free!

Episode #281 – Creating a Clutter Free Christmas- Part 3

Episode #281 – Creating a Clutter Free Christmas- Part 3

by | Dec 5, 2017 | Christmas, Podcast

Listen In

Do you have Stocking Stuffer anxiety? Are you a last-minute person about to emerge in a state of panic? Listen in as Kathi Lipp and Tonya Kubo share tips to help you plan for stockings, homespun gifts, menu planning and last-minute ideas. Simple ideas to take the stress out of Christmas. You’ve got this.

Bonus: Click here for your free download of 25 stocking stuffer suggestions.

Meet Our Guest

Tonya Kubo

Tonya Kubo

Tonya Kubo is the illustrious, fearless leader of Kathi Lipp’s Clutter-Free Academy Facebook group. She and her husband, Brian, are raising two spirited girls in the agricultural heart of California. She writes about fighting the demons of comparison, clutter and compulsion on www.tonyakubo.com.

Get Yourself Organized for Christmas Project 14: Prep Your Kitchen

Get Yourself Organized for Christmas Project 14: Prep Your Kitchen

by | Dec 4, 2017 | Blog, Christmas, Overwhelmed | 0 comments

prep your kitchen

Prep Your Kitchen

It’s time to give the kitchen a little TLC and prep your kitchen for the holidays. Spend some time today clearing any clutter hanging around your countertops. Put away mail, Christmas cards, leftover Christmas decoration containers, etc. Also, here are some basic tips of things you can do to spruce up quickly.

Assignment:

  • Clean your sink up so it is nice and shiny.
  • Clean out any science experiments from the fridge.
  • Wipe out your pantry, fridge or cupboards of tiny crumbs.
  • Complete your meal plan for the month and finish the shopping list.
  • Pull out any serving dishes, holiday dishes or platters you may need and wash off any dust.
  • Restock your pantry with any essentials you will need for cooking or baking.

For more details: Get Your Christmas Organized Page 83

 

Share your thoughts:

Share with us all that you accomplished! For some this may have taken a while, for others, it may have been easier than you thought. Did it go by quickly or did you take the time to gut your kitchen? Do you have any tips to share with someone else? What did YOU do?

Avoiding Overwhelm:

Does the kitchen clutter seem too overwhelming? If you’re waiting for the kitchen fairies to clean up, you could be waiting a while. Instead, break down your kitchen chores into micro-steps (the very smallest bits possible) and then take a moment to do the first micro-step.

And join us over on the Clutter Free Academy Facebook group where we encourage one another and stay accountable as we become Clutter Free!

Get Yourself Organized for Christmas Project 13: Decor Day

Get Yourself Organized for Christmas Project 13: Decor Day

by | Dec 3, 2017 | Blog, Christmas, Overwhelmed | 0 comments

decor day

“It’s starting to look a lot like Christmas, everywhere you go.”

Today is the day to start making your home look like Christmas — decor day! It is time to get out all of your Christmas decorations. You don’t have to do all your decorating today but get a start on things, especially outdoor decorating. If you live in a climate with a cold winter season, you need to get those lights and decorations out before the snow starts (if it hasn’t already).

This also gives you some time to take inventory and purchase items you still need.

Today is a fun day and if you haven’t starting feeling the Christmas spirit yet, today should get you in the mood. Amp up the Christmas spirit by turning on some holiday music, or your favorite Christmas movie, and invite your family to help you decorate. Decorating can become something fun for everyone, and you will not feel like it is entirely your responsibility.

Assignment: Get some of your decorating done.

  • Decorate outside as soon as possible.
  • As you are unpacking your holiday trimmings, be sure to set aside anything you no longer use or love and give those items to charity.
  • Make use of the boxes you are emptying and pack away some of your regular decor to make space for your holiday decor.
  • Make a list of decorative items you need to purchase. (Remind yourself to make a list of items needed for next year when you are putting this year’s décor away.)

For More Details: Get Yourself Organized For Christmas – Page 77

Supplies:

1) Your Christmas décor boxes from last year.
2) A Christmas tree removal bag.
3) Ornament hooks

Share Your Thoughts:

Any tips for decorating?  Were your decorations organized neatly from last year? If not, any tips for improving how they are stored for next year? How does it feel to have some of your decorating done?   Did you throw away anything or donate to charity?

Avoiding Overwhelm:

We all want our houses to be lovely. But we should be careful not to let our decorating “ideals” mutate into “idols.”

And join us over on the Clutter Free Academy Facebook group where we encourage one another and stay accountable as we become Clutter Free!

Get Yourself Organized for Christmas Project 12: Catch up on Your Projects

Get Yourself Organized for Christmas Project 12: Catch up on Your Projects

by | Dec 2, 2017 | Blog, Christmas, Overwhelmed | 0 comments

catch up

Today is another freebie day, and we are more than halfway there! Use this day to catch up on any projects you have been meaning to finish and cross them off of the list! Nothing feels better than to put a checkmark on your list.

If you are already all caught up on all of your projects, use today to bless someone. Maybe you could pay it forward to someone at the restaurant. Or bless the gas attendant with a random act of kindness card with $10.00 inside. You could also go visit a local nursing home with your children and have them sing a few of their favorite Christmas carols.

Share Your Thoughts:

Don’t forget to share with us what you did today! Did you catch up on that lingering project or did you have the opportunity to BLESS someone? How did it go? How did you feel afterward?

Avoiding Overwhelm:

If you know that you can become easily overwhelmed during the holidays, strategize in advance and put a game plan in place for how you will take care of yourself during this busy season. For instance, there’s no rule that says you can’t take separate cars to the Christmas party so you can come home before you turn into the Grinch.

And join us over on the Clutter Free Academy Facebook group where we encourage one another and stay accountable as we become Clutter Free!