Ten Tips to Keep You and Your Christmas Organized
(copied from an article)
1. Set up a Wrapping StationFind a nook or cranny with a little bit of privacy and storage space—it might be a walk-in closet, a corner of the basement, or even the laundry room. Gather all of your wrapping materials there: paper, bows, tape, scissors, bags, and ribbon (now is a great time to inventory!). When you bring home gifts, assign someone who likes to wrap to have at it in the wrapping room. Wrapping gifts with small children can help them feel included in the joy of giving. The only trick to this is making sure the supplies don’t wander off!
2. Inventory Your Pantry
Few things are more stressful than finally having time to do some baking and realizing that you don’t have enough sugar. Or cream. Or those little crushed red and green candy sprinkles that your youngest loves so much.
Make a list of the things you usually bake, or things you would like to bake, and then take an inventory of your pantry. Do you have everything you need? This is a great activity to do with a budding homemaker or mathematician. If there are two cups of brown sugar in a pound, and we want to make three batches of gingerbread, which uses three cups of brown sugar per batch, do we have enough?
Look at your fridge and freezer while you’re at it. Do you have things for quick dinners on the go? If you’re up to it, go ahead and freeze some doubles when you have time. You know they’ll come in handy.
3. Plan to Serve
Most of us want to serve others during the Christmas season, but as schedules fill and stress builds, it’s easy to get to the New Year and be disappointed. “I never had time to give some service.” Hectic schedules can squash the best of intentions.
This year, make plans early to do something that will make this Christmas one to remember. Make a commitment, write it down, and enjoy serving others. You might ask your bishop what you can do for the ward, or sign up to help a local homeless shelter. Families with small children usually find that a promise made to the young ones does not get forgotten! Find out what good causes are happening where you are and make a date to serve. You will enjoy your Christmas all the more knowing you’ve helped others.
4. Jingle Those Bells Singing Christmas carols can actually help you feel less stress. So sing along—even if you aren’t the best singer in the choir. Experts say that singing encourages good breathing and releases endorphins, improving your mood.
Also a great mood lifter—exercise. Go for a brisk walk, play a game, or do some of those desk yoga exercises. Anything that gets the blood pumping will make you feel better, especially about those delicious and tempting desserts everywhere!
5. Nurture Your Spirit
Make time for prayer, meditation, and scripture study. It’s so easy to say, “I’m too busy—I’ll get to it later,” but the well-worn tools really are the best when they’re used every day. They help you stay on track with your priorities, and keep your patience with long lines or children with the “gimmies.” They can even help you take a deep breath and enjoy the holidays. Make the time, even when it seems like there’s none.
6. The New Switcheroo
Not the old switcheroo—this is the new one. Find a friend, ideally with children who are different ages from yours. Store your presents at each other’s homes. Not only does this keep the sneaky peekers from getting into trouble, but you and your friend can have a little bash to wrap presents together if you like. And if your children are different ages, her teenagers won’t care about the new doll for your little girl. Your preschoolers will likewise be uninterested in video games or clothes her kids are getting.
You might even try the stocking switch. Everybody knows Santa will fill the kids’ stockings, and most wives enjoy filling a stocking with little surprises for their husband. But who fills mom’s stocking? FlyLady Marla Cilley (visit flylady.net) suggests trading stockings with a friend. Set a dollar limit if you need to, and don’t peek at your stocking until Christmas morning. It’s just fun to receive thoughtful little treats from someone who knows you so well.
7. What Can Be Moved?
Look at your planning carefully and consider—what could be moved out of December? What would happen if you took the family photo for the Christmas letter in October? Or sent a Happy New Year letter instead? Is the week before Christmas really the best time to have a party? Some things can’t be moved, but some things can. See what you can move off your plate by doing it well before the holidays, or even bumping it to later.
8. Simplify Gifts
Elder Oaks has counseled us, “Remember, don’t magnify the work to be done—simplify it.” Take a list of your Christmas plans, especially the gifts you plan to give, and ask yourself how you could simplify. Is it time to do a gift exchange with your extended family rather than trying to buy for everyone? Could your children do gifts of service for their siblings or a video of Christmas carols for grandparents rather than buying or making elaborate gifts?
9. Consider a Screen-Free Day
Take one of those days between when the kids get out of school and Christmas and designate it a “screen-free” day. No television, no computers, no video games. Spend the time talking, playing a board game, or baking. You’ll be amazed how much this cuts out of your stress. You may even want to do it again!
10. Reason for the Season
Along with your regular habits to stay close to the Savior, look for ways to include Him in your celebration of His birth. Some families bake a birthday cake to eat Christmas day. Many do evening devotions of a scripture, a song, and maybe a story or thought. Whatever way you find works best, remembering the birth of Jesus Christ will make Christmas less stressful for you and those you love.
