Be creative with gift tags...

As I was wrapping up holiday gifts this year, it occurred to me of how I could use that pile of "old" holiday cards. Do you have a pile of cards that are just sitting around? If so, why not cut the covers off and use them to make a decorative gift tag. The way I see it, you win in more ways than one...you de-clutter by recycling your old card and create a special gift tag for that snazzy gift you picked out!

Decorations in disarray?

As we trim the Christmas tree and adorn our homes with festive decorations, are you finding your "decorations in disarray"? If so, why not try something new this year. When you go to pull out your holiday items, take a quick inventory of your decorations. Grab a sheet of paper and make a list of the boxes & the contents in each box. While you're at it, make sure you are packing up your precious heirlooms in water resistant containers, so they will be protected over the years. I recommend using a clear storage container(s), so that you can visually see the contents. You can then take a sticky label and list out the contents. Your list inventory will serve as a "roadmap" to what decorations you have and where they are located. For example, one label might read:

Box 1: Living Room Decorations
--Angel music box
--Candles
--Christmas book
--Garlands

You may find that having this inventory "system" in place, will help in the long run...as it will save you time and hassle when you go to decorate because everything will be accounted for and in one place. You may also consult your inventory list for easy pack-up and storage until the next holiday season.

Season's Greetings

Holiday Returns Got you down...

As we get into the swing of the holidays (a.k.a. holidaze), it can become quite overwhelming with all the shopping and hussle & bussle the season brings. Today's focus is on "holiday returns". While it is still early and Christmas is 3 weeks away, you can create a system today for your holiday receipts, so that when it's time for the inevitable return, you can go to 1 place and find it. I recommend creating a holiday receipt envelope. You may choose to clip it up to your refrigerator or store it with your other receipts (perhaps within your "bill" folder, see blog from last month for more details). Or, another option, is to give your gift recipient a gift receipt (you just need to ask the cashier at the checkout) so that they can exchange their gift on their own time. However you choose to do it, I hope you'll enjoy a stress-free holiday!

Sending holiday cards & letters, here's quick tip...

It's that time of year again, for sending out holidays cards and letters to friends and family. I'm currently in the process of editing my address list with change of address information and some new additions. One tip that has worked well for me is to set-up an excel spreadsheet with the following fields: Mailing Name, Salutation (if you're sending letters), address 1, address 2 and City, ST Zip (as one field). You can make edits to your mailing list throughout the year (as you learn of changes) and/or send out an email blast to any friends you know moved to acquire their new address information. That way, when you go to merge your letter and/or address labels, you can do this in about 5 minutes and it will cut down on wasted time & energy in the long run. Tis the season to send greetings...

Stationery and Cards in disarray?

Does this ever happen to you? You have a b-day, anniversary, special occasion coming up and you need a card. You know you bought the card, but now you can't locate it. Agh, that's so frustrating, isn't it? One tip that has helped me over the years is to organize my stationery and cards into a file box/folder. You can either place tabs (e.g. birthday, anniversary, thank you, sympathy, holiday, etc) within the box and/or create a folder for each event. That way, when you go to write your letter or send that card, you can go to one source and find it!