Organize + Energize: Plan & Prepare This Holiday Season
Email to a friend
Permalink
Tuesday, December 13, 2016
Kristin MacRae, GoLocalWorcester Organizing Expert
Planning and preparing this time of year will save you time, money, and you’ll have less stress. Control what you can this time of year and the difficult stuff that gets thrown at you will be much easier to handle.
Think about everything you have to do and how you may be able to streamline the process, whether it’s making to-do lists, planning and preparing, or just getting organized.
Here are 6 ways you can alleviate some stress.
It’s ok to say no. Are too many invites, holiday parties or gatherings stressing you out? Do you feel like you’ll offend somebody if you don’t attend? Choose the ones that take priority, respond and go and have a great time. Don’t feel that you have to go to every event. This also applies to shopping trips, lunch dates, etc.
Pick up gifts cards now. Do you wait last minute to pick up gift cards because it’s an easy gift to purchase? Don’t wait for the last minute to fight with traffic. If you know which gift cards you need to purchase, make a list and pick them up now. It’s one less errand you will have to run as it gets closer to the holiday.
Simplify yearly rituals. Do you host a party, cookie swap or decorate the same every year? There can always be a simpler way to do something. Make your life easier and streamline the process.
Address holiday cards now. You may have to save this one process for next year. People laugh at me when I tell them my cards were signed and addressed in October. Sign, address and put an elastic around them with a sticky note dated when you need to send.
Don’t save anything until the last minute. If you know you have a ton of things to do around the holidays, why are you waiting until the last minute? Sit down one evening, make your list and then tackle it.
Keep track of purchases to stay on budget. Trying to think of everything you have purchased and how much you have spent? Write it all down. Remember, mental clutter causes stress. Release the mental clutter.
It seems as the holidays get closer, the busier and crazier people get! Do you make things more complicated than they need to be? Make a plan to simplify and streamline your process. If you feel you just can’t do that this year, make a plan to get on track next year!
Kristin Carcieri-MacRae, is an organizing & efficiency expert and owner of Organizing in RI. Kristin teaches her clients that living an organized lifestyle will save them time and money, decrease their stress levels and help them become more efficient and productive. Her articles have been published in local and national magazines. Kristin's CD, Organizing Basics, is a 1-hour guide for the person who wants to get organized but doesn't know where to begin. She is also available for organizing workshops.
Related Slideshow: 15 Ways to Get Into the Holiday Spirit in Central MA - 2017
Prev
Next
Give to Those in Need
From giving trees at churches to Why Me Inc. as well as many other great organizations, there are plenty of families in the community that could use your help to put a present or two under the tree for a child who might not otherwise get one.
Prev
Next
10th Anniversary Production of A Christmas Carol at Hanover Theatre
Get to Hanover Theatre to see the 10th Anniversary production of A Christmas Carol on opening night.
Jeremy Lawrence plays Scrooge for the sixth year in a row, having guest starred on TVs The Blacklist and Shades of Blue, as well as worked with directors Brian De Palma, Rob Howard and Stephen Daldry. Lawrence is also known for his portrayal of playwright Tennessee Williams.
The show starts at 7 p.m.
Click here for more information
Prev
Next
Visit Stowe Farm and Buy a Christmas Tree.
The Christmas season can't begin without a Christmas tree.
Start your Christmas tree shopping now by visiting Stowe Farm in Millbury and get into the holiday spirit.
PHOTO: Flickr
Prev
Next
Go Ice Skating at Worcester Common Oval
The Worcester Common Oval is a cool place to go ice skating, right in the heart of Worcester.
If that's not enough for you, skate on the old-fashioned way, on a frozen pond.
Prev
Next
Christmas by Candlelight at Old Sturbridge Village
Christmas by Candlelight at Old Sturbridge Village is an evening filled with New England holiday traditions, live musical performances, storytelling, sleigh rides, festive foods, a roaring bonfire, and strolls around the decorated Village Common.
At the North Pole Village families will find Santa, Mrs. Claus Bake Shop, a magical talking Christmas tree, and an expanded train display featuring some trains from the movie Joy.
The event goes from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Click here for more information
Prev
Next
Imagine John Lennon Christmas Festival at That's Entertainment
Multiple bands and solo performers singing Lennon, Beatles and Christmas Carol's.
Any bands, singers, musicians, artists, elves or Santa's helpers that would like to participate are welcome.
Festival times are as follows:
1:00 AM-6:00 AM, 2:00 AM-7:00 AM, 3:00 AM-8:00 AM, 4:00 AM-9:00 AM, 1:00 PM-6:00 PM
Click here for more information
Prev
Next
The Muppet Christmas Carol at the Worcester Common Oval Ice Skating Rink
Layer up in your most comfortable winter attire and pack some seasonal snacks for this outdoor film screening on City Hall Plaza.
Admission for skating is just $10 and includes skate rentals. Receive a $5.00 discount if you bring your own skates. Kids 6 and under skate free. Admission for the movie is free.
Click here for more information
Prev
Next
Give Money to Salvation Army
Throw some money in the Salvation Army kettle. Every time a bell rings, an angel gets its wings. The person who stands outside ringing the bell is often there for long hours.
Even if it's just some change, smile at them and wish them a happy holiday.
PHOTO: j_lai/ Flickr
Prev
Next
Secretly Pay it Forward
Standing in line at a local coffee shop waiting to order can be a long wait at times.
Make the day of the person behind you by paying for their coffee. It will put a huge smile on their face, and on your face as well.
But shhh don't tell them.
Prev
Next
Call Long Lost Friends or Family Members
On the phone -- not a Facebook post, not a text. Let them hear your voice. Find a way to reconnect on a personal basis.
Find out how they're doing. Make plans to catch up in person. But whatever you do, remember, texting doesn't count!
Prev
Next
Spend Time With an Elderly Relative
The actual day when the family is around can be hectic. Before then, go have a cup of tea, bring some cookies, and find out what holiday traditions they enjoyed.
Give the gift of time.
Prev
Next
Start Thinking About Your New Year's Resolutions
Don't wait until December 31 to promise you'll drink less and work out more.
Take stock of your life, figure out what's important to you, and what you want to accomplish in the New Year and start jotting stuff down.
Prev
Next
You Must Watch Home Alone
While it may not be your traditional Christmas movie, it certainly brings home the holiday spirit.
Home Alone is an all-time classic that simply must be watched.
Enjoy!
Prev
Next
A Festivus for the Rest of Us
You must watch the Festivus episode of Seinfeld, it is one of the most famous episodes of the entire series.
Laughter is the best medicine, after all.
When you finish the episode, be sure to celebrate Festivus on December 23.
Happy Festivus!
PHOTO: Matt Keef/Flickr
Prev
Next
Get Those Decorations up
Get those decorations up early this year and go all out, go to the extreme with the decorating.
Why not be the talk of the neighborhood?
Add to the holiday cheer.
PHOTO: Romeo Banias/Flickr
Related Articles
Enjoy this post? Share it with others.
Email to a friend
Permalink
Follow us on Pinterest Google + Facebook Twitter See It Read It