Week 6 to an organized Christmas season!

I am starting a new series here on how to have a more organized Christmas season so you can enjoy the holiday season instead of feeling rushed and stressed out. :) Each week I will post a new tip! Also speaking of the holiday's coming up now is a good time to get stocking stuffers too. I offer Gift Certificates for my organizing services and remember I do offer virtual organizing, so you don't even have to live in my area. ;) Wouldn't it be great to give the gift of organization for Christmas? Email me for more details.  cleverlyorganizedchaos@yahoo.com!

~Put together a Master Christmas List  right now.  you will be able to keep track of what you buy and for who.  A big mistake a lot of people make is they shop ahead but then they forget what they bought for who. If you have a list cross everything off as you get it. 

~Set your budget now! This is crucial to an organized Christmas.  Set it now and avoid those nasty surprise credit card bills in January. Write the budget on the very top of your Christmas list and highlight it. Pay cash when you can and it will help you stay on budget. I realize this is not always possible but at least if you have a budget you can see it is easier to stick with it. 

~Put together a Master Christmas card list now. Here is the part you might be surprised to hear…You do not have to send a card out to everyone you have ever met. Really you don’t! J It is so easy to get sucked into the “I am a bad person if I don’t send a Christmas card to my friends little sister who once helped jump start my car” A good way to decide who to really send cards to is to send your cards to people who you remember you got cards from last year. Then this year start a list of who you get cards from so you know for next year.  Get your stamps purchased.

~Make any online purchases or catalog orders now so they have time to get here.

~ Check your baking supply list and cooking supplies. Make sure you have any special ingredients you need now while they are still in stock at the store. Use a carry all caddy with a handle and put all your baking supplies in it…cupcake liners, sprinkles, cookie cutters, rolling pins etc.  You will be able to grab the caddy when it is time to bake and see at a glance all you need. No more searching for all the things you need! 

~Now is the best time to go through toys, and things you don’t need. Just declutter a closet, or a drawer. One a day. By the time Christmas comes there will be room for all the new toys etc. ;) 

Have an Organized Day!

Jen