The Monthly Organizer

October 2007

Monthly Motivation

Monthly Organization Tip

Be sure to check your city's rules for trick-or-treating. Also, be sure you are aware of the rules of Halloween safety. Go over these rules with your family so everybody is aware of them and knows what to expect.

Don't forget to add candy to your grocery shopping list. Buy it all now or buy one bag each week until you have enough to pass out to the trick-or-treaters in your neighborhood.

Shop online for costumes and accessories. Shopping early will allow you to avoid the crowded stores, it will ensure that you get everything you need before it is sold out and it can often save you money. Use this promotion code to save $5.00 at checkout from Shindigz. Click on the banner to see their selection.

Money Saving Tip

The first step is to plan your gift list. Here is what you will need to do:

• Get yourself a journal or small notebook (this will not only be used to plan your gift list, but for all of your holiday planning).
• Make a list of all individuals you will need to purchase a gift for. Include family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, teachers and any charities that you provide gifts for.
• Start thinking. As you think of a gift that would be perfect for somebody on your list, write it down. Keep your list with you at all times so if you find yourself in a store you can check to see if you can find any of the items on your list. Don't forget about internet shopping. Many online stores offer free shipping this time of year. Even if you don't purchase an item online, the internet is a wonderful way to do research and find new items for the recipients on your list.

If you have not already purchase Tips to Organize Events, my event planning journal, now is a great time to get it. Tips to Organize Events is perfect for planning holiday gatherings and, since it is a document that you can download, you can use it over and over again without ever having to purchase refill pages. Just reprint the file and start planning your next event.

Recipe of the Month

Here's a handy tip: This lasagna recipe, like most that you will find, make a 9 X 13 pan of lasagna, which is perfect If you have a larger family or are entertaining. However, if you have a smaller family and don't want to be eating leftovers for a week, split the recipe into two smaller pans. Make one for dinner and freeze the other. Frozen lasagna keeps for several months.

To make storage easier, line the pan you will be freezing with non-stick aluminum foil. Once the lasagna is frozen, remove the lasagna with the foil from the baking dish, wrap in foil and place in a freezer storage bag. This way it will be easier to find space for it in your freezer and you will be able to use you baking dish for other things.

I prefer to freeze my lasagna before baking it, but you can bake first and then freeze if you prefer. Just make sure to let the lasagna cool completely before freezing. Either way, remove it from the freezer the day before you plan to cook it and leave it covered with foil for the first half of the cooking time.

Entertaining Idea

Make it a costume party and give prizes for categories such as:

• scariest costume
• funniest costume
• best Halloweeen spirit.

Here's a site with great Halloween recipes to serve. These will really help your guests get into the spirit of the party. Plus, you can get all the Halloween party supplies you need right online.

Happy Halloween!