Do you get overwhelmed with the hectic pace of the holiday season with all the stuff and expectations and commitments? Well, you’re not alone friend. We all feel the stress of the holidays and today I’m sharing some strategies to control the situation and enjoy the season to its fullest. Today’s post is all about basic Christmas Organization 101.
If you take advantage of when Christmas is fresh on your mind, it will give you a jump start to prepare for Christmas next year. There are simple steps you can take to balance all the craziness and enjoy the merriment. The key is to stay organized, start early, strive for balance and keep notes along the way. Easier said than done, right? Join me for some Christmas peace of mind.
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Welcome to Styled 2 Ways – Organization Edition
Styled 2 Ways is a collaboration between my blog, Master”pieces” of my Life, & the blog From the Bay to the Beach, penned by Susan. Two different points of view for a particular styling, project or concept are shared. A guest host sometimes includes another styling for triple the fun. Thank you for joining us; we’re happy to have you here with us.
Although Susan and I both like many of the same things, we both have unique styles of our own, and we want to share how the same idea can be expressed in different ways. Both ways are equally as fantastic, and appreciating other unique takes on the same idea expands our own personal style.
When you are done here, please hop over and visit Susan. If you are here visiting from Susan’s place, welcome, I am so happy you are here. Leave me a comment down below; I would love to get to know you. Come on in, have a seat and enjoy!
The Many Moving Parts of Christmas
The holidays are layered with a multitude of commitments, which are meant to be joyful, but quickly turn heavy and stressful. Having a simple strategy helps navigate this hectic time of year, allowing for merriment, peace and joy.
Storage Solution
There’s so much stuff that comes with the happiest time of the year. Ever since I labeled all my storage bins, decorating for the season runs much more smoothly. I can start taking everything out and decorating with purpose rather than digging through all the bins, searching for a particular item(s). It’s seems like such a simple, common sense thing to do, which facilitates the process both for taking it out at the beginning of the season and once again when repackaging everything when the holidays are over. I recommend see through bins if possible and label the tops and the sides so it can be viewed from different directions.
Time to Purge
When you are decorating for the season, discard old and tired pieces. I’ve been guilty to keep items in the bins for that some day necessity. Some day never comes and I’m here to tell you let it go. Either donate it, or throw it out, depending on the condition. You’ll never think of said thing again, and it feels good to let go. Plus it maybe makes room for something new and better.
Hit the After Season Sales
Once the season starts to run down look at anything you’ve been coveting to see if it’s discounted. After season sales are a great way to curate collections at reduced prices. Not only is said item at a lower price point, but it gives you time to deliberate and decide if you really want the piece. Sometimes trends get old quickly or we just change our minds. But if it’s something you really want you’ll be so happy when you unpack your new pretty bauble next year.
Gift Giving
The holidays are a time for gift giving. Instead of waiting until the season to be upon us to shop for all the said gifts, try to be on the lookout throughout the year. When you see something that reminds you of someone, pick it up right then and there, even if it’s only April. You’ll be grateful you did. This makes for more authentic gift choices rather than rushed gift selections, besides the fact the it reduces the load during the hectic season. Also take advantage of big sales like Amazon prime days or Nordstrom’s 1/2 yearly sales, and the such. It takes some adjustment to shop for the Holidays at off times, but once you do, you realize how it alleviates the busy holiday season.
Curtail Commitments
The Holiday season is full of mix and mingle activities and sometimes all these gatherings instead of being merry, might turn into dreaded commitments. I know that sounds awful, but sometimes it’s about quality not quantity. Select the events you really want to participate in with people whose company you truly enjoy. It’s ok to pass on some invitations. For example, one year I was invited to three different cookie exchange mixers. None of them overlapped and conflicted with each other, but I still bowed out of one of them, giving me time to myself and eliminating the time to bake another item.
Stress Free Entertaining
The holidays are also a season when we welcome guests into our home. Entertaining can be stressful, but remember if the host is relaxed and comfortable, she will put her guests at ease and provide a festive environment. Organize your menus, playlists, decorations, etc. with plenty of time. I have an entertaining journal where I make notations every year so it reminds me of all the things. The host should not only be present, but also intentional.
Don’t be Afraid to Delegate
Sometimes it’s okay to give certain tasks to other family members or friends. Whether it’s asking your spouse to wrap gifts or asking guests to bring a dish to share, it gives yourself grace to be present as well. Balance is key here. Everyone wants you at your best and are happy to lend a helping hand, assuring everyone gets to enjoy the merriment.
Crafting Schedule
If you’re a crafter and like to make homespun decorations and gifts, I suggest starting early. Starting Christmas crafting early is smart and helps relieve stress during the hectic holiday months. I started crafting some pieces for Christmas in July a few years ago and it’s always a pleasure to pull these pieces out ready to go during the holiday season. Imagine if you did a craft every few months you would have a handful of finished pieces once the holidays begin.
Document Everything
Make notes of everything and take photographs of all of it. Next year when it’s time to start the process all over again you can review your documentation for inspiration and ideas of what to do again or change. Make notations of things that worked and maybe something you didn’t get to that you can expand on next year.
And Much Much More
This is not a comprehensive list by any means, but hopefully it helps strategize a plan of attack and minimize unnecessary stress during the holiday season. Other thoughts are creating a wrapping station, or building a holiday capsule wardrobe, or making a holiday planner with all the pertinent tasks to you.
More Christmas inspiration is scheduled for the season. If you don’t want to miss any new content, you might enjoy following along. Sign up below and receive all new posts directly into your in-box. We would love to welcome you to the Masterpiece community.
Closing Thoughts
I hope this helps you strategize, maximizing your organization and inspiration for either this season or next year’s holidays. Whether it’s one small detail or a list of pointers, it’s my desire to help you minimize stress and enjoy the season. We are always striving for joie de vivre around here down to the smallest details and grandest gestures. These tips can jump start you holidays next year. Don’t forget to pin it for reference next year.
Please don’t forget to visit Susan. You can also find Susan in her other spaces; give her a follow.
Thanks for stopping by today, and I hope to see you again soon. It’s always lovely having you here. Au revoir!
Shop for Easy Christmas Organization
- 72 Quart Plastic Storage Bin, Stackable and Nestable Storage Boxes with Clear Lids
- 32 QT Plastic Storage Bins with Latching Lids Stackable Storage
- Brother P-Touch PT-N10 Personal Handheld Label Maker,
- The Elegant Christmas Planner: A Stylish Holiday Organizer for a Calm, Joyful Season
- Lenox 6122048 Holiday 12-Piece-Plate-&-Mug Set, Christmas Dinnerware, Hosting
- Spode Christmas Tree Gold 4-Piece Holiday Dinnerware Set – Fine Earthen
- Hot Glue Gun
- Glue Gun Glue Sticks
- Silicone Finger Protectors
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As we struggle with shopping lists and invitations, compounded by December’s bad weather, it is good to be reminded that there are people in our lives who are worth this aggravation, and people to whom we are worth the same.”
Donald E. Westlake