As crazy as the whole thing feels at times the reality is that next year you will be doing it all over again, but for now …what goes up must come down.

Yes the dreaded un-decorating has to happen and wouldn’t you love to get organized now for next year.

The most popular day for taking down all of the decorations from the Christmas celebrations is on January 6^th. This is know as little Christmas or the feast of Epiphany. This is the 12^th day after Christmas and the day when the Magi arrived in Bethleham. 

Organizing Today saves Time Tomorrow

This is a favourite saying of mine. It has been a mantra I have used for many years and the extra effort today WILL make your tomorrows easier.

Isn’t that what you want?  Simplicity in your tomorrows.  

Take the time this year to put the decorations away carefully.  A few extra minutes this year can save you hours next year.

Best Holiday Wrap up Tips 

• Take some pictures before you un-decorate and keep them in your Christmas journal for reference next year. This will give you a visual reference for next year.
• Decide on a storage location for the seasonal decorations. A place that is accessable once a year and dry enough for the container contents. Large Rubbermaid containers work well and you can store various sizes of decorations. These containers are also stackable to take advantage of your vertical storage space.
• Store decorations by room/category- e.g. living room décor, living room tree, Kitchen décor, Christmas baking supplies, Christmas entertaining, Outdoor décor, Outdoor lights…and don’t forget to store the holiday music with the decorations.
• LABEL all your boxes on the front not the top, once they are stacked you will not see the top labels.
• When putting tree ornaments away ensure they are carefully wrapped to prevent breakage.  They can be layered in boxes with heavier ones on bottom.  If they are very fragile consider storing them in the boxes they came in or invest in Christmas ornament boxes. These specialized boxes are a little more money but will safeguard those treasured ornaments.
• Store individual light sets in plastic bags to keep them from tangling together.  This works well for beads and garland as well.
• Store candles in socks or nylons to prevent scratching.
• Make a file on your computer for all the recipes that you used this year, the ones that were a hit with the whole family. This can be part of your family cookbook and can be conveniently organized into one place, ready to share when the children move on to their own families.

Now go and enjoy the holidays…a blessed time filled with love, laughter and memories…the un-decorating can wait…at least for a few more days.

Just for fun here is a Christmas Message from Kim and I…A little Jib Jab Holiday Fun…watch here!

The stress and the pressure of the season is reaching a climax.   You can see it in the way people walk a wee bit faster, road rage is more intense and don’t even get me going  on parking lot etiquette….

Instead of just making it through the next few weeks how about taking charge and making this a holiday that you will look back on with happy thoughts.  

Week 2 Holiday Countdown Last minute details 

• Purchase stocking stuffers and any other gift items left on list.
• Wrap major gift items and tuck them away in a secure location….yes your children will snoop and open them. How do I know that? I did it and I am sure you did too!
• Make all the calls and last minute plans for entertaining.
• Check the grocery store flyers and get those hard to find items now when they aren’t hard to find.  Things like squash and candy cane pepermint ice cream….  

Deck the halls….I mean clean the HALLS…and the kitchen and the closets! 

Getting the Kitchen Organized for the Holidays 

The kitchen really is the heart of the home and with all the activity in this hub, a good cleaning is in order.  Here are some of the trouble spots that may need attention.

• The Pantry is a great spot to store extras for the onslaught of holiday guests. This won’t happen if it is cluttered with food that was purchased in the past year but was passed over and forgotten…time to perhaps donate these items to the local food bank.
• The cupboards are fill to the max you say…when was the last time you used many of the items? Maybe it is time to pack up and donate the excess to the local shelter. Remember your clutter is someone else’s survival. 
• Cleaning out the Freezer and eliminating the 10 bags of bones for soup will make room for the frozen cookies and holiday appetizers.
• The Fridge can be a scary place…make it clean and safe…and as Laura says, “When it doubt, throw it out”.

Getting your closets Organized for the Holidays 

With all of the new items that will have to find a home in the closets there is a need to clear out and declutter. The rule of thumb is one thing in and one thing out…and we have it set to music…maestro please!

PS…for more great organizing videos with tips to help you get organized for 2011, visit us online now.

As the weeks pass the holiday parties are coming fast and furious. Office parties, Association and club get togethers, playschool cookie exchanges, socials, family gathering….an endless list of invitations. There are only so many hours in the day with a limited amount of energy to take it all in.     

Back in the days when Martha Ruled it was about bigger, better, faster…however, these days it is about managing expectations and taking on only what you can reasonably do…when it come to the entertaining that is. Read here for a recent post “Not a Martha Holiday” it has some great Holiday Party Going tips.

Week 3 Holiday Countdown Activities

• Be prepared for drop in visitors by having some seasonal beverages and holiday treats tucked away just in case. You will feel more relaxed and will enjoy the unexpected company…really!
• Precook items that can be frozen and continue with your holiday cooking.
• Shop for teachers, paperperson, co-workers, hostess gift etc.
• Purchase non perishables items needed for the  holiday menu.

Holiday Entertaining Tips and Tricks

• Plan your entertaining and keep the theme of simplicity. No Martha expectations for this year.  If you are not a gourmet chef keep menu items simple and easy and perhaps purchase prepared foods…the selections available today are pretty close to gourmet fare!
• Keep in mind what your overall goal of entertaining is. If it is to impress people with your cooking abilities you will plan a different party and menu than if you are planning to spend time with friends and not fuss with difficult recipes. There is no right and wrong way to have a party…there are just different goals.
• Decide what kind of party you are having. Is it a full course meal, pot luck, buffet, cocktail party, kids party, etc. Plan the event accordingly and ake sure your guests know if it is formal or informal. 
• Make a master list of all details for the party. Include guest list, décor ideas, menu and of course the shopping list.
• Invitations:  There are several options depending on the type of party and how much time you want to spend. You can call personally, use hand written invitations, e-mail can be used as well and finally… facebook events provides a way to invite people for public or private events, and it is quick and easy. 
• Include preprinted directions to your home with invite.  Have some copies in handy so you are ready when someone asks.
• Pot luck meals- Organization is the name of the game for this type of  meal. people need to know what they are expected to bring…if not you may have more meatballs than you can manage and nothing else. You can get into specifics with the guests on what to bring like appetizers, main dish, veggies, drinksor dessert or you can be more specific such as nachos, cheese plate, chicken wings, and trifle. By being specific you can pull together a whole meal without having to prepare everything yourself.
• Buffet Style meals work best for large groups and are the easiest to serve…and clean up after.

Have a beverage area where guest can help themselves to refreshments.  Have some general drinks like soft drinks, juice,  sparkling and still waters…and don’t forget the eggnog.  To add the WOW to your party have one specialty drink like a fun martini, this can have alcohol..or not! It is really all about the fun glass.    

If the goal of the party is to spend time with friends then plan a menu that does not require a lot of prep on the day of the party.  Precook everything that can be done before hand. Do as little as possible on the actual day of the party so you can enjoy yourself too.

• Shop several weeks ahead for anything that can be kept long term or frozen to reduce the time spent in pre-holiday chaos at the stores.
•  Ask for help, people do love to help so enlist the troops and make it ateam effort. 
• Get the kids involved in planning a party that they will be part of.  They can help set the table; older kids can cut up vegetables or let them help with the invitations. 

Last but not least…be a gracious host and a guest that people will want to have back. Arrive on time and leave at a  reasonable time. Enjoy the tastes of the season without overindulging and don’t leave any memories that you will regret.

I will leave you with some sage advice from one of the funniest commedians of my time….

“What I don’t like about office Christmas parties is looking for a new job the next day.” ~ Phyllis Diller

Week  4 Holiday Countdown 

• Start your Holiday baking and cooking and use the freezer for storage…not for eating from…you know what I mean, frozen baking tastes wonderful. Stay out!
• Do all your research for the major gift items and if you think the coveted gift item won’t be there as the big day gets closer…well you know what to do…go get it NOW!
• It is time to decorate the main living areas…time to have fun, put on some festive music and create the mood.
• Wrap and post gifts that are being sent by mail…snail mail.
• Send out invitations for your entertaining plans. If it only requires a call then this week is perfect to firm up plans.
• Prepare and mail another group of cards, now that the away cards are complete it is time to get the local ones finished.

Christmas Cards…you know you love them!

• Have all the cards and stamps you will need on hand.
• Make a list of all contacts you want to send cards to and divide them into like categories: family, friends, coworkers, service providers, etc. Do one group at a time and mail as you go…break up the task and spread the holiday cheer at your local post office.
• Computerize your mailing addresses and use mailing labels, this will save you so much time and energy every year.
• An alternative to sending actual cards is to send a Christmas email to friends and family.  Attach a Christmas photo and include a family update on the past years activities.
• A good online website to help you with this task is Send Out Cards.  For a little over a dollar a card you can have cards sent for you…postage and all.

Spend this week reaching out to friends and family with a Holiday Card and party invitations…everyone loves to get Happy SNAIL Mail!

We are days away from the start of the holiday season…

Yes it is a whole season wrapped up into a five week time span running from December 1^st to the first day of the new year. With all kinds of expectations that send most people into a tail spin of STRESS, you wonder how anyone makes it through it all in one piece!

Holiday Planning does not have to be this way.

 By stepping back and asking yourself whose expectations you are trying to meet and being honest in your answer, will save you plenty of time, some money and your peace of mind over the next five weeks.

Back in the days when Martha Ruled it was all about complicated 10 part recipes that required ingredients that were so rare only the keenest of Holiday Hostesses were able to locate. Today things are different…people are stressed out, overworked, sleep deprived, drive through eating, and taxiing the most demanding little people everywhere.

On top of all that you really can’t imagine adding five weeks of parties…well it is a reality, it is coming soon, and you need to be ready.

Here are my TOP Holiday Party Going TIPS:

• Get out the calendar, gather together all the party invites and pick the ones that you really want to go to. Your time and energy are valuable…don’t waste them.                                        
• Flexibility and versatility are the name of the game when it comes to the Holiday wardrobe. Save money by making the most of the pieces you already have in your closet. Classics like dress pants, the button up shirt, a dress and some jewelry will have a whole new Holiday look when you add just the right shoes and accessories.     
• When the five week marathon of eating begins and there are more events than days in the week you have to really curb the expectations and the calories.  It is also the time of year when all the local grocery stores advertise their Holiday menu items…and for good reason. Check out all those decadent grocery store options, read some labels and find the perfect item for the event. Presentation is everything, so get out a nice tray and serve up the goodies, I am sure you would probably fool even Martha herself.      
• Take the Stress of getting home with the volunteers at Operation Red Nose (ORN). It is a free, designated-driver service that helps keeps roads safe during the holiday season. From the national ORN website, “It’s the only anti-drinking-and-driving program that gets drivers who may be unfit to drive, and their passengers, to their destinations safely – in their own cars. The safe delivery of the cars is vital to the success of the program, because drivers often cite concern about leaving their cars behind as a factor in their decision to drive or not drive.”   For more information on this service visit their website at http://www.ibc.ca/en/ORN2010/ride.asp

 Now that you have your calendar of events, a great wardrobe and a plan B for the ride home you can truly enjoy the Holiday Party Season 2010…with less Stress!     

It isn’t the size of the gift that matters, but the size of the heart that gives it.  ~Quoted in The Angels’ Little Instruction Book by Eileen Elias Freeman, 1994

Week 5 Holiday Countdown….

• Take an inventory of your gift closet, or closets and if it is not all together in one place take some time and gather all the gifts that are scattered about the home and consolidate them into one spot. (Organizing principle number 1 – keep like items together). Now you can match the gifts you already have with your giving list.
• Purchase, wrap and mail any gifts for your loved ones that are out of town…even better… get online and purchase your gift and have the company deliver it, saving you valuable time and money in shipping costs.
• Prepare the first group of cards for the recipients that are the farthest away. They call it snail mail for a good reason.
• Prepare the menu for holiday entertaining, keep it simple and remember presentation is everything, so pair up some great platters with your holiday goodies, it will look like you went all out…who is the smart savvy entertainer now. 
• Before winter sets in take this Sunny weekend to decorate the outdoors.

Gift Giving Made Easy

• Have a Gift Giving Journal, something that you can add to yearly. This also gives you a place to record what you purchase annually, keeping track of what you purchased for Aunt June last year. This is a great organizing tool that will keep you on track with your gift giving and holiday budgeting.
• Have a journal that is small enough to carry with you so you can jot down ideas for gifts all year long. Listen carefully to those that you are  buying  for as ideas will come up during conversations and most of us will forget them if we don’t write them down…especially for those of us over 40…  
• Take the time and make a list of ALL the people you want to shop for.  To make it easy break them down into categories: essential gifts for family members, friends, hostess gifts, teacher gifts, work, etc.
• Start EARLY so the financial and time strain on you will be minimized.  For next year start in September, organizing today really does save time and money tomorrow. Pick those farthest away so you will be ready to ship to them early. Save kids untill last as their preferences change quickly….but make sure they know after the Santa letter is mailed the decisions are made…no changes after that. 
• Have a Gift Closet (box, suitcase) for all the items you buy throughout the year and keep track of them in your gift journal.
• Pick up discount items as you find them but keep in mind who you are buying them for and write the items in your journal. Only purchase what you will give away in the next 12 months. Keep all of the items together, this will give you  a visual reference and by limiting it to one closet you are not investing your retirement savings in useless items that will never make it to the person you intended it for.    
• AVOID shopping during the weekends from November until Christmas.  Plan your shopping time when the stores are not so busy. This this will reduce the amount of time you spend in stores and reduce stress. Your time is valuable…use it wisely.
• Shop online/catalogues where possible and ask for gift wrapping.
• Include stocking stuffers on your gift list.  Please help Santa and be careful where you keep this list to avoid ruining the surprise and magic of Christmas.
• Store the childrens gifts separately from the gift closet and have separate wrapping paper and tags…your kids are really smart and will figure it all out from that one detail.
• Gift Wrapping Center:  Have gift wrapping items all together.  Using large containers keep tissue paper, bags, bows and ribbons. In a smaller container inside this keep tape, scissors, tags, cards, markers, pens and stickers.
• When you are ready to wrap, set up a location where you can watch TV or listen to music to make the task more enjoyable.  If possible set up a location you can use for a few days.
• Let the kids help with the wrapping , relax and teach them about the joys of giving.  It is okay to have crooked corners and non matching ribbon. 

PS…for help getting the closets ready for gift storage check out this great  How To Resource that will make closet organizing childs play. Check it out now 

Yes you are reading this correctly. With only 6 weeks to the 2010 Holiday season the countdown has begun. The holidays are a time when you want to be with your loved ones.

With some planning and organization you can make this the best holiday season ever.    

6 weeks before

• Start with a family meeting to decide what the expectations of the whole family are for the holidays. Get to the heart of what you all want for your family this year.
• Get out the calendar and start marking off the obvious dates and times like school holidays, parties, tournaments and holiday concerts. Make time for the activities that you have wanted to do year after year and did not have the time to do…you have all the time right now so make yourself and the family a priority.
• Make a list of who you want to send holiday cards to and exchange gifts with.  This is the time of year when you want to show the special people in your life how much they mean to you, however the stress of the holidays may take away the joy of this process. With a complete list of who you will be shopping for and some other details your stress will be minimized…that is when it comes to gift giving.

 5 weeks before

• Plan a holiday budget. Thinking ahead of the season and planning for the financial aspects of decorating and entertaining as well as gift giving will ward off any surprises when the credit card bills come in
• Put some thought into the gift giving this year. Plan for gift giving that has a special meaning. Dinner gift certificates and babysitting are always ideal for people with young children. How about home baking or perhaps a donation to a favorite charity. Keep your list with you to keep track of where you are at. 
• Get the holiday cards ready, this is a time consuming event and it may take a week to write notes, address envelopes and get the holiday letter written.

 4 weeks before

• Mail or e-mail the holiday cards and the holiday letter.
• Break out the measuring cups…holiday baking will be so much fun when you know that it is done, stored in containers, frozen and ready to use when needed.   
• Have everyone try on their holiday outfits a month in advance. It is easier to purchase red tights for the school concert at the beginning of December…I know from past experience that burgundy is not RED! 

3 weeks before

• Time to tackle the decorations, check for lights that need fixing or detangling. Choose a theme and decorate with this in mind, this will help you achieve a unified look and will simplify your decorating decisions.

• Create a menu plan and at the same time why not create an online file for each member of the family and special friends with their favorite dishes in it. This can also be used through the year for special occasions like birthday’s etc…This is a time of year when you want to spoil your loved ones so why not do it with their favorite dish.

• Traditions, crafts and activities are what make the holidays that much more special. Traditions are a great way to spend time with the people you love while  creating lasting memories . If you don’t have a tradition then this is the year to start your own.

 2 weeks before

• Make the wrapping of gifts a sprint and do it all at once or as a friend suggested a month long marathon “as I watch TV – I will wrap a couple gifts – that way I am only doing a couple as I am just sitting around anyway. I  don’t get that overwhelmed feeling when I attempt to wrap them all at once a few days before Christmas!!! Plus – it keeps me from munching while watching TV!! This strategy does double duty as a stress reducer and weight loss strategy.

The week before

Sit back and enjoy the fruits of your labors…

Break out the baking, turn on the lights and the music and enjoy the sights and the sounds of the season with the ones you love.

Enjoy…  

Week 6 Countdown… 

• Make a master gift list and holiday budget, this can be used year after year.
• Set up the Holiday Calendar- include events, entertaining, house guests, travel and babysitters needed.
• Take some time to de-clutter toys and clothes that are out of date. For some Closet De-Cluttering Inspiration check out the Closet Hokey Pokey here.  
• Make master list of card recipients and purchase cards/stamps.
• Make any online or catalogue purchases so they will arrive in plenty of time.

Where to Start

• Spend time on the things you love to do.  Minimize the time on stuff you don’t enjoy.
• Hire someone to do things you do not enjoy but must do or trade activities with a friend.
• Have a Christmas Idea journal or file that is kept every year. This can be an idea file for recipes, décor ideas, gift suggestions, card lists, and entertaining ideas.
• Make lists for everything and keep them in handy in a convenient spot.
• Pre Christmas de-cluttering:  go through cupboards and donate dishes, pots/pans, cloths, toys and even Christmas decoration to a shelter, this will clear up room for new things that will arrive Christmas day.

PS…for great tips on how to declutter check our our videos that show you how to organize like the pros.                      Read here for more information.

We would like to wish all our Canadian readers a Happy Thanksgiving. This is a perfect time of the year regardless of where you live to be thankful for the good things in life. 

And we are Thankful to all of our Readers…near and far.

Thanksgiving will be here soon and thoughts of the Turkey and all the fixins are on everyone’s mind…and perhaps how the kitchen will be used so much over the long Holiday weekend. 

Do you cringe at the thought of your kitchen and having to entertain? 

If so then here are some solutions for you.  We have scoured the internet and put together a great list of  resources to help you take control of your Kitchen.

We want to start with a great friend of ours and one of  THE best Organizing Bloggers out there- Laura the OrgJunkie.

It is hard to pick just one as she has so many great articles…take a peek at Laura’s Kitchen category page and pick the articles you want to read they are all great. From the Fridge to Cabinets, it is all there. Check it out. 

We cannot talk about kitchen organizing without mentioning the queen of clean- The Fly Lady.  She has been an inpiration to thousands, after reading her website it is hard to walk by a clean sink each day without thinking she would be proud that I keep it shiny and clean (or worry she may be looking on those days that it is not so shinny).

It does make a difference in our mind set when we take simple steps such as a shiny clean sink when we lead such busy lives.  For more tips on how to have a shiny sinks, check out Shiny Sink 101

Keeping the fridges clean is always a challenge especially when dealing with leftovers from the holidays.

Check out this video on organizing your fridge but beware it can be a bit scary(well not shary scary…but leftover food scary)

For more great Kitchen inspiration you can purchase the entire Kitchen Organizing Video, worksheets and ebook now. Check it out!  

Although you may sometimes feel overwhelmed by your disorganization or clutter, remember that getting organized is an ongoing process and cannot be done in just a few hours. 

Everyone thinks, lives, and works differently, and there is no right or wrong way to get organized….So get started and make your Kitchen holiday perfect!

Canada Day, previously know as Dominion Day has been celebrated “from far and wide” here in Canada since 1867 when the British Colonies came together to become this great country we call CANADA. For most of us it will be a day of beach parties, barbeques, community fairs and fireworks. A real kick off to the summer months.

For this months Watercooler I will be taking you across Canada to introduce some amazing Canadians who have helped shape the Organizing industry and have been a big influence on my life. They are all Silver Leaf members of Professional Organizers in Canada and I consider all if them friends.

British Columbia

Elinor Warkentin of Goodbye Clutter is one of the reasons that I am actually in this industry. Back in 2003 I read the most interesting article about a gal from BC who grew up in a Mennonite community. Her story made me think of all the organizing I had done as a child and to this day I look forward to seeing Elinor’s beautiful smile at conferences. Take a minute to check out her site and to follow her on twitter.

Alberta

Shelly Morrison of Clutter Cutter is  Western Canada’s first Certified Professional Organizer in Chronic Disorganization. That is no small feat, it has taken Shelly years of education and hands on work to achieve this designation. With this specialized training she works with Hoarders which you have probably seen on the recent shows about hoarding. Not an issue to be taken lightly and people like Shelly are there to help…bravo to you! Shelly is someone I can look at eye to eye if you know what I mean….we are both vertically challenged and I like that about her

Manitoba

Morva Bowman of  Masters of Time and Space has been organizing Winnipeg since 2001. We met at my first organizing conference in 2004 and I immediately fell in love with Morva’s sense of fun. I look  forward to seeing what color hair Morva will be sporting each year at conference. I also had the pleasure of sitting on our National Board together in 2004-05.  Morva has been a mentor and an inspiration to me over the past 7 years.

Ontario

Jane Woolsey of  Professional Organizers.com is the Past President of  Professional Organizers in Canada as well as the 2009 winner of the Harold Taylor Award . Jane is a leader, a mentor, a teacher and a friend. I received my introduction to the world of professional organizing with a 3 day training program that Jane and former business partner Debra Milne offered. It was the foundation for my career and thankfully Jane is still offering this amazing opportunity to others who want to enter the professional organizing industry.

Hellen Buttigieg of We organize U is someone who I have admired from afar for many years. Hellen has been inspiring people to conquer clutter since 2003 as the host of the Gemini nominated show neat and with her recent book launch. Hellen is a busy mom with lots on the go and manages to maintain balance…I think this is why busy mom’s connect with her because they know she has walked a mile in their shoes…thanks for paving a path for the rest of us.

Clare Kumar of Streamlife inspires me with her energy, ideas and creativity. I had the pleasure of a lovely lunch with Clare and another pal Marlo Nikkila on a recent trip to the big city…yes that would be Toronto. Clare is a busy gal with her hands in many organizing pots. She has been on the talk Show Stephen & Chris to share her organizing tips.  She writes for Staples and Canadian Tire and has made her Shopping channel debut. Clare is on my list of Organizers to Watch for 2010.

Nova Scotia

Colette Robicheau of Organizing Anything is my good friend and conference buddy. In 2006 we shared a room, some crackers and lots of giggles at the NAPO conference in Boston. In 2007 we shared a room in Johannesburg South Africa where we both had the pleasure of speaking at the POAA conference. Wow…I still can’t believe that we travelled halfway across the world and had the pleasure of speaking to our peers at the Professional Organizers Association of Africa  Conference. We tried new foods, drank some South African wine and met the most amazing people that opened their homes and hearts to the  Canadian girls.

And last but certainly not least Kim Eagles….my business partner and friend. In 2007 we embarked on a journey to bring affordable organizing help to the market. Through our professionally produced Home Organizing Videos we did just that. With over 60 minutes of How-to videos and 70 pages of worksheets and e-book tips we have created a product that is affordable, easy to follow and available instantly as a download. Want to preview it now

I hope that you find the people I have introduced to be as interesting and informative as I have found them to be.

Happy Canada Day from the Shannon and the Eagles families…enjoy!