Little Organizing Tips to Reduce Holiday Stress

• Instead of a sit down meal, make it buffet style and let everyone sit where they choose.
• Make things ahead of time so all you have to do is heat and serve
• Have everyone bring a favorite dish to pass
• Plan a joint party with another family member and have someone to share the work
• Instead of a meal, have homemade breads, cookies, muffins or cakes.
• Everyone loves Pizza, even at Christmas time; have a good variety on hand.

• Do the dusting and get the cobwebs off of the walls; save the carpet cleaning, you will need it after Christmas
• Vacuuming takes away the dust, pet hair and refreshes a room; plus, if you put baking soda on the carpeting, will give your room a fresh odor.
• Wipe over the kitchen cabinets after you have finished with the dishes on a weekend. It will give the kitchen a clean fresh look.
• It takes only 10 minutes to wash the outside of the refrigerator, stove, microwave and dishwasher, using a solution of ammonia and water and will shine for weeks.

• Set up a wrapping center in the spare room, basement, or a corner of the living room.
• Keep all of your paper, gift tags, tape, a pen, scissors and ribbon handy. I use my husbands nail (carpenters) apron for everything except the tape. It is always handy and I do not loose it under the wrapping paper.
• Tape a large bag to the back of a chair for garbage and stickers and a smaller bag to hold bows for the presents.
• Take your paper toweling off the dispenser and use it for holding your ribbon.
• Keep all of the wrapping paper cutoffs to use for smaller packages.

• Label all of your boxes with a list of what is inside.
• Put all of your outside lights and decorations in a separate box that has easy access for next year
• Pack all of your Christmas towel, pot holders, tablecloths and placemats in one box
• Put a red and green 'X' on boxes, use magic markers or use colored construction paper for your labels, that have Christmas items in them
• Try to put all of the breakables in one box and use shredded junk mail to fill up the gaps in the boxes

• Take the stress out of Christmas and give yourself time to enjoy the holidays by using shortcuts.
• Keep track of what you purchase for a certain person from year after year, you may be able to purchase an accessory to go with it.
• Keep your lists with you, so if you find a bargain you know who will receive it and can add it to your list.