How to stay organized during the holidays

Staying Organized During the Holidays

The holiday season, with its sparkling lights and festive cheer, also brings along a whirlwind of tasks and events for us to juggle. Between the gifts, decorations, and an endless stream of gatherings, it's easy to feel like you're caught in a holiday tornado.

Luckily, we’ve assembled a few quick tips to help keep your holiday organized and stress-free.

Organizing Stuff: Navigating the Holiday Tidal Wave of Things

Have you ever found yourself drowning in a sea of gift wrap and wondering where you put the Scotch tape? We've all been there, in the middle of a mountain of beautifully wrapped gifts, frantically searching for what we need next.

It’s no wonder our homes can feel so disorganized. After all, we generate 25% more waste between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day than any other time of year according to a recent Stanford study. To stay organized with all our holiday “stuff,” consider implementing one of the following ideas:

Gift Wrap Station: Designate a specific area for all things related to gift wrap. A dedicated space with wrapping paper, bows, and tags will save you from doing unnecessary scavenger hunts when it's time to wrap.

Gift Tracker: Maintain a list of all your gifts – what you bought, who it's for, and whether it's been wrapped. This prevents duplicate gifts and ensures you're not caught gift-less at a gathering.

Eco-Friendly Celebrations: To counter the holiday waste surge, consider eco-friendly options by using reusable gift wrap or DIY decorations. Better yet, give experiences away so that your loved ones will have memories to carry with them for years to come.

Organizing Time: Juggling the Social Calendar Ballet

The average person in the US attends 12 holiday events between November and December. That’s quite a circuit to run on top of all our other daily duties. Missing important appointments and becoming lost in the shuffle is common during the holidays. To make sure you don’t miss a beat, try one or more of the following tips:

Digital Calendar Mastery: Embrace the power of your smartphone or computer calendar. Set reminders for events, gift shopping, or when you need to start defrosting that turkey.

Prioritize Events: You don't have to attend every holiday gathering (really, you don’t!). Prioritize events based on your schedule and energy levels. Your mental well-being will thank you.

Delegate and Share Responsibilities: You don't have to be the sole maestro orchestrating the holiday symphony. Delegate tasks and share responsibilities, turning the holiday hustle into a group effort.

If the holiday season is your personal production, staying organized is your backstage pass to a stress-free celebration. Whether it's navigating a sea of gift wrap or gracefully pirouetting through a calendar full of events, these tips will ensure that you not only survive but thoroughly enjoy the festive season. Happy organizing!