Here are five quick tips to help you get through the holidays as smoothly as possible.

1. Before the rush begins, create a plan. The best way to get through the holidays without the feeling of rushing through them is by setting goals and then keeping your focus on them.

2. Make a list for gifts. Write the names of the people you want and need to buy for. Beside each name put sizes, and gift suggestions. If this gift is to be mailed, add the address to the list. This way you can ask the store to mail the gift as soon as you purchase it.

3. Put family gatherings, and any other functions you must attend on your calendar right away. Attend only those business parties that bring you joy. Avoid the ones that don't. Spend the extra time with your family. Sometimes the best way to have more time is to "just say no."

4. Put a time for decorating, as well as time for un-decorating on your calendar.

5. For easy identification, use a red or a green manila folder for receipts. Put the recipients name on the receipt. After the holidays, you may want to label this folder "holidays." When you see a good idea, clip it and file it. This will make a good reference file for next year.

The holidays are supposed to be a time of relaxation, of gatherings, of reuniting, of peace joy fun and harmony. That’s what we are told. But are they… really?

Holidays in our society have taken on a complexity that imbues stress, obligation, worry, pressure, requirements, and work! Work to prepare for the holiday in advance, work to make sure everyone else is fed and is having a good time, and work after the holidays to clean up and put everything away.

Where is the joy? Where is the fun? And, what happens to all of the day-to-day work that still needs to be done while you are doing all of the holiday *work*?

Instead of approaching the holidays this year with trepidation, I suggest you to stop and think… in advance… about how you would like to make things different this year.
You can do this in an organized, pre-planned way, and you will find your stress level decreasing as you finally take charge and get everything under your control.

First, get a ¼” 3 ring binder with a plastic sheet on the outside so you can label the cover and the spine. This will cost you about $1.99 at most office supply stores. Labeling the spine is extremely important, so you can find the book when you are looking for it. If you label the spine, you can store it on a bookshelf for easy retrieval.

Next, take out 4 sheets of paper, punch holes in them, and put them in the binder. (You can also use loose-leaf paper. Those of you with school children will know what this is.)

I want you to use the first page to think about last years holiday season. Draw a line down the center of the first sheet of paper. On the left hand side, write 10 things that you loved about last years holiday season, and on the right hand side, list 10 things you hated. Try not to leave anything out. This exercise may take you a day or so to complete. Just keep coming back to it and add things as you think of them.

On the next sheet of paper, I want you to look ahead at this year’s approaching holidays. With last years list in mind, draw a line down the center of the page and on the left hand side list the 6 things you want to be sure and do this year, and on the right hand side, list 6 things you want to avoid this year. When this list is done, you should start to feel better.

On the third page you should list people you want to see (or contact) on the left hand side, and people you want to avoid (if possible) on the right hand side. This will help you start to feel in control.

Last, I’d like you to think about all of the extra work this holiday is going to put on your shoulders. Take a fourth sheet of paper and again draw a line down the center. On the left hand side, list the things you already know are going to be a burden (example – buy 12 gifts for the office personnel, attend the family sing-a-long, chop fruit for your famous fruitcake). On the Right hand side, list who you could delegate that task to, or how you could make that task less burdensome, or what pre-made excuse you can use to avoid attending events you don’t want to attend. There are some events that can’t be avoided. Plan in advance to find 3 positive things at the event, then grin and bear it. At least you are in control, instead of being controlled.

If you’d like to get a free copy of my sheets, click here: marshasims@aol.com. Put “Holiday Tips” in the subject line.

You can also use this binder to keep your holiday organized in other ways. Perhaps you could add a sheet for your card list to keep track of cards you are sending and receiving. You might like to use it as a place to store menus, diets, food restrictions and recipes. You might want to keep a daily log of activities and parties for yourself and/or your children. The binder can be used for anything you choose to keep track of or keep in control of during the holidays.

Remember that holidays are more about how you feel than about what you actually do. Find a way to do only the things that bring you and your loved ones joy, and let someone else do the things you would rather not do.

Also remember, the holidays are not only for everyone else’s enjoyment. Sometime we forget that we are supposed to enjoy them as well. It is vital for you and for your health (mental, physical, and spiritual) that you start to feel in control of your world. You can, if you approach it in an organized way.

I wish you peace during this holiday season.

Marsha Sims

P.S. To all of you who send OrganizingTips to friends and share it with colleagues, THANK YOU! If you know someone who would enjoy it, please hit the “Forward” button on your email and send it to them. That’s how we grow, and I’m deeply grateful for your recommendations.