It is natural for us to think the “Countdown to the Holidays” starts Dec 1st and then our planning begins. Oops! Back up a minute…what about Thanksgiving, who’s hosting? Who’s visiting? We need to roll back our minds and recognize that the Holiday Season is truly an 8-week season and NOT a 4-week season, thus bringing us to the present day for our planning being Week 3 of the Holiday Season Prep window.
This year I am swapping Holidays for Gift Giving. Instead of showing my appreciation to my kiddos Teachers and Staff before the Holidays, I am doing it around Thanksgiving. Brilliant concept Right? I do think so myself – Wink..Wink! It is so nice to “give thanks” for all the things people do and services offered in our lives. I know this “holiday swapping strategy” will reduce my stress, stretch my budget and allow more time for prepping gifts vs. dashing like a wacked out “Holiday Bobblehead” and not cherish all the joys of the Holidays. Learn more Organizing Ideas in this weeks Teachable Tips Newsletter. Gobble! Gobble! vs. Bobble! Bobble!
Thanksgiving Celebration UNDER 20 people – send out an email to all potential Family, Friends and Neighbors with meal slots for folks to select what to bring asking them to “reply all” to the email so everyone knows which slots are filled.
Thanksgiving Celebration OVER 20 people – Create a FREE account via SignUpGenius.com for the event and dishes, desserts or beverages people can bring.
Built In Reminders – simply “click the box” to be alerted when guests sign up for a dish and “click the box” to remind your guests via email of what dish they are bringing and when the event kicks off.
Saves Time & Precious Energy – Hands down makes the Celebration less stressful reduces multiple questions and phones calls for the Host and Hostess.
Consider Swapping Thanksgiving Gift Giving for Teachers and Vendors vs. during the Holidays – one of my most favorite Organizing Tips this year I will implement! I feel relieved already just thinking about rationing out the timeline vs. cramming to “get it all done” during the year end hustle and bustle.
Make Your List and Check it Twice – Remember Teachers and Staff for each child, Vendors who provided your family a special service such a Therapists, Pharmacists, Hair stylists, and all the important people in your family’s life. I involve my kiddos by going with them to deliver our cards and gifts before Thanksgiving Break. This also gives me buffer if someone is missed or forgotten. Type out your list and keep it handy for next year as not to reinvent your wonderfulness!
Bobbling silently in a dark corner just thinking about the Holidays? Starting to curl up in a fetal position from the stress of it all? Please don’t cry!!! Be a friend and reach out to a friend who may need some assistance with Organizing, or would like to be uplifted reading our Teachable Tips Newsletter. You can always Confidentially Connect with me anytime Cell 602-579-5274.
