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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.
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1 YEAR TO 6 MONTHS BEFORE
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- 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
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AUGUST OR SEPTEMBER
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- 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
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BY OCTOBER
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- 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
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EARLY NOVEMBER
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- set aside time to fill out holiday cards and write annual letter
- buy stamps and other mailing supplies
- print your address labels
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LATE NOVEMBER
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- 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
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START OF DECEMBER
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- 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
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THROUGH THE HOLIDAYS
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WHEN CHRISTMAS IS OVER
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- 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 Ramona Creel, all rights reserved-- you are welcome to reprint any article, but you MUST include this resource box.
Ramona Creel is a modern Renaissance woman and guru of simplicity -- traveling the country as a full-time RVer, sharing her story of radically downsizing, and inspiring others to regain control of their own lives. As a Professional Organizer and Accountability Coach, Ramona will help you create the time and space to focus on your true priorities -- clearing away the clutter other obstacles and standing in the way of that life you've always wanted to be living. As a Professional Photographer, Ramona captures powerful images of places and people as she travels. And as a travel writer, social commentator, and blogger, she shares her experiences and insights about the world as we know it. 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. And be sure to follow her on Twitter and on Facebook.
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