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NEW! - Keywords For This Page: Event Planning - Holidays
Feel free to use this tip sheet / checklist as you tackle your own ""do-it-yourself"" organizing projects. If you would like to REPRINT or DISTRIBUTE this information, please click here for reprinting instructions.
 | 1 YEAR TO 6 MONTHS BEFORE |  |
- begin developing a potential gift list
- shop ahead of time for gifts on sale throughout the year
- bookmark websites and catalogs for gift ideas
- start looking for holiday travel ideas / accommodations
| AUGUST OR SEPTEMBER | |
- set up a "gift center" with wrap, tags, scissors, tape, and gifts
- put together a reusable address list for cards
- set up your address list on the computer to print labels
- finalize your travel plans
| BY OCTOBER | |
- buy holiday cards (if you didn't shop on sale after last Christmas)
- design and order or print customized cards
- order copies of any photos you want to include with your cards
| EARLY NOVEMBER | |
- set aside time to fill out holiday cards and write annual letter
- buy stamps and other mailing supplies
- print your address labels
| LATE NOVEMBER | |
- assemble and mail your cards
- finish up any last-minute gift shopping
- start unpacking holiday decorations
- begin wrapping gifts
- begin shopping for baking, cooking, and entertaining supplies
- decide which holiday traditions you will skip this year
- schedule in those holiday traditions that are a priority
| START OF DECEMBER | |
- put up household decorations
- plan menus for holiday meal and other parties
- organize your social calendar for the month
- bake cookies or other holiday goodies
- mail Christmas cards
- decorate Christmas tree
- finish shopping for baking, cooking, and entertaining supplies
- mail gifts to out-of-town friends and family
| THROUGH THE HOLIDAYS | |
| WHEN CHRISTMAS IS OVER | |
- review your cards to update your address list
- pack up your decorations
- make note of recipes you particularly enjoyed this year
- review what worked and what didn't this holiday
- make note of what you will change next year
- shop for wrap, cards, decorations, and gifts for next year on sale
Copyright 2000-2009 Ramona Creel -- you are welcome to reprint any article, but you MUST include this resource box.
Ramona Creel is a Professional Organizer and NAPO Golden Circle Member. A former Social Worker, she has always enjoyed helping people find the resources and solutions they need to improve their lives. Ramona now travels the country as a full-time RVer, sharing her story of simplicity with everyone she meets. She leads by example -- having worked for more than 10 years as a Professional Organizer, and having radically downsized and simplified her own life as a full-time RVer. Ramona now considers herself a "Renaissance Woman" -- bringing all of her passions together into one satisfying career. As a "Virtual Organizer", she can create a customized organizing plan for your home or office. As a "Simplicity and Accountability Coach ", Ramona provides a proven program for making every area of your life a little bit easier -- perfect for those who want to make the time and space to focus on their true priorities. As a Professional Photographer, Ramona captures powerful images of places and people as she travels. And as a freelance writer and blogger, she shares organizing techniques, travel tips, and social commentary with others. You can see all these sides of Ramona -- read her articles, browse through her photographs, and even hire her to help get your life in order -- at www.RamonaCreel.com. You can also follow her on Twitter, check out her Facebook profile.
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