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Blog: Easy Organizing For Active Kids And Busy Parents
 Simplify Your Holiday With Kids
(The holidays are fast approaching, and most of us are short on time, so out of respect for your busy schedules, I'll keep this short and sweet.)
Kids and Christmas almost certainly equal chaos. Even with the best of intentions, things can get out of control. Throw in a few pets, several relatives, and last minute shopping trips, and it's safe to say that for most of us, by the time December 25th arrives, we're stressed, tense, and NOT overly organized. This year, start your New Year's resolutions a week earlier and commit yourself to having a SIMPLIFIED HOLIDAY.
It's not too late to SLOW down. And it's not a BAD thing to lower your expectations of the perfect holiday season. Too many times we try to live up to the holiday hoopla of a Hollywood ideal. Instead of perfection, vow to really ENJOY the SIMPLICITY of the season. Here are a few suggestions to help you do just that.
· Take a Moment to Plan
Use a binder to create a Holiday Planner. Include sections for "Greeting Card List," "Gift List (don't forget teachers, mail person, etc.), "Recipes" (for favorite holiday dishes), "Guest Lists" (for your own parties). I know, this seems like more WORK than simplicity, but getting all your plans down on paper will really help you organize your thoughts, and prevent last minute trips for forgotten ingredients, supplies, and even gifts. Plus, next year, you'll have a jumpstart to the holiday season.
· Shift Your Focus
Capture the real meaning of the holidays: donate canned goods to a food bank, volunteer at a local soup kitchen, donate an old coat to a homeless shelter, count your own blessings, smile at a stranger. And make sure your kids take part, too.
· Involve Your Guests
When planning parties and extended family meals, ask your guests to bring something (don't forgot to keep a list of who is bringing what).
· Keep the Kids Busy During Your Gatherings
Give the kids duties: collecting coats, passing out appetizers, picking up wrapping paper from opened presents, taking pictures or video recordings (if they are old enough). It gives them something to focus on, keeps them out of trouble (hopefully!) and helps lighten YOUR load.
· Simplify and Enjoy
Take baby steps; it doesn't all have to be done in one day. Come January you want to have fond memories of the holidays, not be glad they are over.
(For those of you on my Simply Organized email newsletter mailing list, I apologize for taking this post straight from the December issue. But you can't blame me too much, I'm taking my own advice and simplifying MY life during this hectic time of the year!!!)
Coming Next Week:
This time next week, Santa will be long-gone and the dreidels will have stopped spinning. But if your home is like most kid-filled households, there will be signs of the holiday all around: toys with no place to go, sagging evergreens, tired decorations, and menorahs caked with wax. You may be MORE than ready to pack the season away, but before you do, take a moment to follow the tips and tricks I'll offer in my next post to get a jumpstart on the 2008 holiday season. Next year when you're enjoying eggnog and gingerbread while everyone else is frantically racing around, you'll be glad you did! Until then, have a great week, and the happiest of holidays!
Simply yours,
Debbie
posted on: 12/21/2007 9:00:00 AM by Debbie Jordan Kravitz
category: Family
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Easy Organizing For Active Kids And Busy Parents
by Debbie Jordan Kravitz
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About Debbie:
Debbie Jordan Kravitz is a Professional Organizer, Author, and Owner of Virtually Organized by Debbie LLC. She is also a member of the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO) and the National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization (NSGCD). Debbie's goal is to help her clients customize, organize and simplify their lives so they can spend less time searching for their things and more time doing the things they love.
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