Halloween has come and gone...
Remembrance Day has come and gone...
And arguably the busiest season of the year is coming up fast! Let’s be honest - most of us love Christmas but break out in hives at the anticipation of it. What to do, how to get organized and how to retain your sanity in the face of so much excitement and activity? We have some ‘Bust-Out-The-Christmas-Holiday-Habits’ to share with you and help transition this most wonderful time of the year from stressful to bless-ful.
★ Create a to-do list:
This simple, easy-to-use tool is one we need in our arsenal year-round, however at Christmas it’s invaluable. There are many apps available for mobile devices of every sort and since we have our phones with us most times, it’s quick and easy to add to or take away from a numbered list. If you prefer a pen and paper, find a beautiful notepad that makes you want to reach for it and jot things down. Start with a brain dump and then sigh in relief as each crossed-off element brings you one step closer to a relaxing holiday season.
★ Declutter:
This is a perfect time to declutter your home! Start early and leave yourself enough time to complete one room per week without being overwhelmed at the last minute. Take away everything you don’t need for the holidays so you have plenty of room for those special Christmas ornaments and extra guests. If you decorate with each season or holiday, it’s important to declutter and organize the décor between every changeover. Discard any broken or outdated items and donate everything you no longer want but which may be someone else’s perfect piece.
★ Container Everything:
Use clear plastic containers with lids so you can quickly view what’s inside without having to open each lid or search for missing labels. They come in a variety of sizes so you can store your precious and fragile glass balls in the smaller ones, and place that beautiful door wreath in a larger one. Being stackable, they’ll fit easily onto any height shelf, and can be low enough to go under the bed until the following year.
★ Throw a Decorating Party:
‘Two birds with one stone’, so to speak. Combining decorating with socializing can be a game-changer as it gives you and your family the opportunity to enjoy the company of your favourite people, while at the same time decorating your home or tree in a fun and festive environment. Many hands make short work of any job and once done, everyone can relax and enjoy the twinkling lights and holiday cheer. This year make it a family affair and stick to just people from your close bubble!
★ Take Photos:
Chronicle everything! If you’ve created the perfect nativity scene this year, record it so you can recreate. Maybe your tree is looking especially perfect but you know you’ll never remember it for next year - take a picture. If you see an exquisite arrangement in an upscale department store window - you guessed - take a photo! Take pictures of what you have in your storage containers as well so you’ll always quickly know where everything is. So much time can be saved by having a photo record.
★ Hire a Housekeeper:
Last but not least, if you don’t have a regular housekeeping service, this may be the time you’d like to consider having someone come in and give you a little extra help. The decluttering, cleaning and organizing of your home before the busy holiday season can make the difference between being stressed and being blessed. Use your precious time to enjoy your friends and family, and welcome guests into your home knowing it’s sparkling clean and looking its best. If you’re concerned about how we’re keeping you and your family safe while we move throughout your home, check out our COVID cleaning policy here.
Start now, start early and you’ll be surprised at how making just a few little changes can help your holiday season be more about the holiday and less about the feelings of overwhelm and anxiety caused by too much to do in too little time.