Get Yourself Organized for Christmas Project 21: Your Personalized Special Project

Get Yourself Organized for Christmas Project 21: Your Personalized Special Project

If you can’t think of something, there are some great ideas in the book to give you a jump start. Because these projects have gotten you organized and totally prepared this Christmas, consider this a gift to yourself for all of your hard work. Enjoy!

Assignment: Do that one extra special thing

Think of your own special task that you have wanted to do for years but have never had time for. Today is your day to do that thing.

Doesn’t it feel great to have everything done, ready and finished so you can really enjoy those last few days of the holiday season with your family?

Avoiding Overwhelm:

When you see others’ decorations and trees and well-behaved children (ahem!), or when you read those family Christmas letters, remember that you can either envy or enjoy, but you can’t do both. Let’s abolish overwhelm by choosing to enjoy!

Merry Christmas!

For More Details: Get Yourself Organized For Christmas – Page 110

Get Yourself Organized for Christmas Project 20: Get Your Christmas Table Stuff Ready

Get Yourself Organized for Christmas Project 20: Get Your Christmas Table Stuff Ready

For More Details: Get Yourself Organized For Christmas – Page  106

Well, my friend, today we are not going to let that happen to you, no sir-y we are simply finding all of our table decorations and linens and getting them ready all in one spot.

Assignment and Supplies:

Find your napkins (the ones you intend to use), tablecloth (wash it if there are spots), runners, napkin rings, plates, silverware and stemware or glasses.

**Note** if you are striving for simplicity this year and are going the shabby-chic method of paper or plastic, make a list of the things you need to purchase and where. (There is some cute stuff out there these days that make a table look great. Don’t feel bad about it, remember your goal of simplicity). Embrace it!

Share Your Thoughts

Share with us! When did you have your party all set only to discover the teeny tiny thing of having no ______?  What did you do?? This year, join us in our vow to be prepared! Plan today what you will need for tomorrow.

Avoiding Overwhelm:

Have you ever noticed that, “How does the table look?” and “Doesn’t the table look pretty?” are two entirely different questions? One encourages critique while the other invites celebration. Avoid the overwhelm in your household by asking for the feedback you want.

Get Yourself Organized for Christmas Project 19: Meal Planning At Christmas Time

Get Yourself Organized for Christmas Project 19: Meal Planning At Christmas Time

meal planning at Christmas

Meal planning at Christmas

Meal planning at Christmas can make the whole season so much easier! Take some time today to meal plan every day up until Christmas as well as Christmas dinner. (I promise, you will thank me later.) Spend time in the kitchen today taking stock of what you have, what you need, and what meals you will make your family each night for dinner.

Be sure to look at your calendar for any nights you have plans. If you need to take a dish to an event, mark that on the meal plan, so you know how to prep and shop.

If you have dinner at another home or event, revel in a night off! Either way, it goes on the meal plan. Make life easier by utilizing LOOP (Leftovers On Purpose) meals and frozen meals whether they are yours or store bought. Once you are all planned out, make a list of ingredients you need to buy as well as perishable items you need to buy at the last minute.

Make your life easier, dinner prep ideas

Another great dinner prep idea to make your life even easier is to have a frozen meal swap with friends. You can implement this one of two ways. The first way, invite friends to your home. Everyone brings ingredients to make a meal of their choice that is freezer friendly (enough to share with however many friends are joining in on the fun). Then you all help with the cooking, family portions are placed into gallon zip-lock bags ready to freeze, and everyone goes home with a variety of meals to freeze and enjoy throughout the month.

Another way is for everyone to make something at home (enough to share family portions with anyone participating), freeze them, and swap them with friends. This way, you might have made a huge batch of soup, but you might end up with soup, enchiladas, lasagna, and a chicken casserole.

Assignment: Spend some time in the kitchen
  1. Create your meal plan for the rest of the month.
  2. Plan your baking list so you know what you need to bake and when you’re going to do it.
  3. Plan out your Christmas dinner.
  4. Make a shopping list of all necessary ingredients. Divide list into non-perishables and perishables.
  5. Shop for non-perishables and the next few days’ meals.
  6. Make a list of things you will need to buy at the last minute.

Plan on making at least two LOOP meals a week.

For More Details: Get Yourself Organized For Christmas – Page 102

Supplies:

1) Calendar
2) Meal plan
3) Paper for lists

Share Your Thoughts:

How did you feel about planning out all the meals? Did this make shopping easier? Any great LOOP recipes to share?

Avoiding Overwhelm:

Be brave and realize that most people need help. Try trading chores – you pick up my stuff at Costco and I’ll look for a scarf for your Aunt Trudy when I go to the mall.

Get Yourself Organized for Christmas Project 18: Get Online Shopping

Get Yourself Organized for Christmas Project 18: Get Online Shopping

Today, my friends, is a fun day! You have permission to go surfing online to finish up your last minute shopping. You have the chance to sip coffee in your pj’s and shop for your loved ones all at the same time! No standing in long lines, feeling all hot and bothered with bag imprints going up your poor arms, no whining kids begging to go home already, no eye-rolling husband waiting on you. Best of all, no sore feet! No, this is a day to celebrate, for we have this great invention called Amazon! YES!

Assignment:

Here’s your objective – find a great place to shop with great deals. Next, shop away! (Don’t forget about places with free returns, free shipping or discounted shipping costs). This is going to be the best Clutter Free Christmas yet!

Here are some favorites:

*Amazon Prime

*Amazon Gift cards (printable, in e-form)

*Zappo’s

*Zulily

For More Details: Get Yourself Organized For Christmas – Page 99

Share Your Thoughts:

Where do you like to go to get great deals? Are you one of those infamous Cyber Monday shoppers? Share with us your favorite places to online shop. Where do you find the best deals with the lowest costs on shipping and handling? Share with us on our page!

Avoiding Overwhelm:

Remember – even when everything seems important, not everything is possible.

Get Yourself Organized for Christmas Project 17: Ship Those Boxes Out

Get Yourself Organized for Christmas Project 17: Ship Those Boxes Out

It is shipping day!

Today is shipping day! Grab your packages, buy yourself a Starbucks, and brave the post office (the lines won’t be nearly as long this early in the game).

To make this day painless, take some time earlier in the week to familiarize yourself with USPS.com, print out labels, and pack everything up so it is ready to go for pick up. (You can still enjoy a Starbucks if you like!) If you have never used USPS.com before, this may just be the most magical part of your Christmas this year.

Assignment: Shipping day is time for shipping your boxes!
  1. Learn how to ship using USPS.com.
  2. Use Priority Mail boxes.

Priority mail can be picked up at your house the next day.

Check out Kathi’s Quick Tips in the book for ideas for packaging and sending.

For More Details: Get Yourself Organized For Christmas – Page 96

Supplies:
  1. Gifts
  2. Priority Mail boxes
  3. Mailing labels
Share Your Thoughts:

Did you have any gifts to send? Did you mail them or order online? Do you have any quick tips to share pertaining to packing and mailing gifts?

Avoiding Overwhelm:

Expand your capacity for joy by seeking out opportunities to be joyful, appreciating what you have, and finding joy where you are – no matter what that looks like. (Yes, even the post office or the holiday mall traffic!)

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

Get Yourself Organized for Christmas Project 16: Take 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.