November 01, 2007
The Monthly Organizer
Holiday 2007
Welcome to the Holiday Edition of The Monthly Organizer. This edition is completely devoted to getting you organized for the holidays ahead. The goal is to accomplish all of your "must-do's" so that you have the time to enjoy the spirit of the holidays, the way they were meant to be enjoyed. Whatever holidays you celebrate and however you celebrate them, get organized and give yourself the gift of a peaceful, relaxing, happy holiday season.
Holiday Motivation
I came across this quote by Julia Peterkin, author of Plantation Christmas, and it hit home with me because this is exactly what I have learned to avoid by starting early and getting myself organized for the holidays:"I hear that in many places something has happened to Christmas; that it is changing from a time of merriment and carefree gaiety to a holiday which is filled with tedium; that many people dread the day and the obligation to give Christmas presents is a nightmare to weary, bored souls; that the children of enlightened parents no longer believe in Santa Claus; that all in all, the effort to be happy and have pleasure makes many honest hearts grow dark with despair instead of beaming with good will and cheerfulness"
Although this particular quote is about Christmas, it can really be applied to any holiday. Don't let the holidays become a tedious obligation. Rediscover joy this holiday season. The time to start planning is now.
Holiday Organization Tip
Regardless of what holiday you celebrate, the first step in getting organized is to start making lists. If you will be exchanging gifts you will need a gift list. If you will be hosting the holidays you will need a menu, including a shopping list. If you will be traveling you will need a packing list. Think about what you will be doing this holiday season and get started on your lists now.The best way to keep your various lists organized is by using a journal or notebook dedicated to planning for the holidays. That way, all of your lists will be together in one place. After all, there is no point in making a list if it just winds up lost.
Of course, if you have not already purchased Tips to Organize Events, my event planning journal, now is the perfect time to get it. Tips to Organize Events is perfect for planning holiday gatherings as well as any other form of entertaining you do throughout the year. It is available for immediate download so all you have to do is print and start planning.
For me, the most logical place to start my holiday planning is with my gift list because shopping for gifts is something you can and should start early. Starting early allows you time to really think about what you want to purchase for each person on your gift list, avoiding that last-minute, rushed trip to the store where you wind up buying the first thing you see because you have run out of time. Shopping early allows you to make each gift more meaningful.
Each year, it is my goal to have my holiday gift list completed no later than Halloween. This way, once trick-or-treating is over, I can immediately shift my attention to holiday shopping. When you are making your gift list don't forget friends, neighbors, co-workers, teachers and any charities that you provide gifts for. Make your list as thorough as possible. Keep your list with you at all times so if you make an impromptu shopping trip you will be prepared.
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 research and comparison shop. If you shop for family or friends who live far away, the internet is the perfect solution. You can shop, gift wrap and ship all with the click of your mouse.
Since I live in the United States and celebrate Thanksgiving, my next goal is to have all of my holiday shopping complete before Thanksgiving. Several years ago I vowed never to step foot into a retail store between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Instead, I take my son sledding and then come home and sip hot cocoa with him or curl up on the couch and watch a heartwarming holiday movie. I have been so much happier because of that decision. I want you to experience the joy of the holidays, not the frustration of not being able to find a parking space.
Of course, many people enjoy the hustle and bustle of the crowded stores during the holiday season. If you are one of those people, by all means, do what brings you joy, but be organized about it. I'll bet you will find that shopping trip more enjoyable if you know exactly what you are looking for and have allowed yourself enough time to find it.
If you do not celebrate Thanksgiving, make it your goal to have all of your holiday shopping done by the end of November. Once your shopping is done you can turn your attention to any other holiday preparations you need to plan for.
If you will be entertaining for the holidays, plan your menu and use it to create a holiday grocery shopping list. Each time you head to the grocery store, pick up a few things from your holiday list, beginning with non-perishable items and saving the most perishable items for one or two days prior to the holiday.
Create a list of when you will prepare each of the dishes on your menu. Keep in mind that entertaining is always easier when you serve dishes that can be prepared in advance.
If you will be travelling, create your packing list. Get your suitcases out a couple of weeks before your departure and, as you do laundry, place items you will be packing into your suitcase.
Whatever you do this holiday season, keep it organized and make it happy.
Holiday Money Saving Tip
The best way to save money during the holidays is to create a holiday budget. You can budget how much you will spend on gifts, travel, food - just about anything you will be doing this holiday season. There is nothing worse than enjoying a wonderful holiday with your loved ones only to open the mail a few weeks later and find a credit card bill that you cannot pay. Don't start the new year in debt. You can still have a happy holiday on a budget.Decide on a total dollar amount you would be comfortable spending and then divide that total among the different areas you need to spend on: gifts, food, travel, etc.
When you are creating your gift list, decide on a dollar amount for each gift recipient on your list. When you are shopping, keep your budget in mind and try to stick to it. As you purchase gifts, write down the actual amount spent next to the budgeted amount on your list. This way you can keep track of whether or not you are sticking to your budget.
The same method can be applied to planning your menu. Decide upon the dollar amount you can comfortably spend on food and plan your menu accordingly. If you will be celebrating the holidays with family and friends, they will most likely want to share in the responsibilities for providing food. Include them in the planning and work together to come up with a wonderful menu that everybody can afford.
Work within your budget and you will not only enjoy the holidays, but you will enjoy the months following them knowing that there are no bills lurking in your mailbox.
Holiday Recipes
Since we are focusing on preparing for the holidays this month, I want to share with you some of my favorite holiday recipes. I hope that they will inspire you to get started on your menu planning.Breakfast
If you are serving breakfast this year, try this delicious Breakfast Casserole, or these flaky and flavorful Ham and Cheese Muffins. I love both of these recipes and have been serving them to my family on Christmas morning for years.
The thing that makes these two recipes perfect for a busy holiday morning is that the are both required to be prepared the night before. So when you wake up and make your way into the kitchen for that first cup of coffee, all you have to do is preheat the oven. Then you can share in the holiday excitement with your family while breakfast takes care of itself.
Appetizers
I love food and a big reason why I especially love the holidays is because there is always something to munch on while you wait for that big meal and smell all of those wonderful aromas coming from the oven.
Chipped Beef Cheese Ball and Savory Dunk are two recipes that my husband's family introduced me to. I instantly fell in love with both of them and look forward to the holidays knowing that they will be served.
Side Dishes
If you are looking for the perfect side to accompany your holiday meal, try one of my family's favorites.
My husband cannot imagine a holiday meal without Corn Pudding, a sweetened corn bread that is simple to make and sure to be a hit at your holiday table.
If you love sweet potatoes and want to try something a little updated from that old casserole with the mini marshmallows on top, give these Maple Whipped Sweet Potatoes a try. You won't be disappointed.
For a bit of a more sophisticated taste serve this Spinach Gratin. I love cheese and I am a big fan of spinach. This recipe brings those two ingredients together in the most delicious way.
Smaller Servings
If your holiday celebration is going to be small and intimate, preparing these Turkey Cutlets, made with a mouth-watering mustard cream sauce and pairing them with Weeknight Stuffing will give you all the tastes of the holidays without a lot of fuss. This menu is a really quick and easy way to get the tastes and feel of a big holiday meal for a smaller group of people.
Dessert
For an updated twist on a standard pumpkin pie, Pumpkin Cream Crunch Pie is sure to please. For a non-traditonal but very special dessert, this easy to make and delicious Italian Tiramisu is always a crowd-pleaser.
The Day After
I have always loved Thanksgiving, but since I was a little girl I have secretly looked forward to the day after Thanksgiving just a little bit more. The reason is because my mother always made the most delectable soup with our Thanksgiving dinner leftovers. I call it Thanksgiving Soup but you can make it after any holiday. All you need is leftovers.
I have also fallen in love with this recipe for Ham and Corn Chowder, which I discovered when I began serving ham, rather than turkey, on Christmas Day. I wanted something delicious to make with the leftovers and this recipe is not only delicious but very comforting. Perfect for a cold Winter day.
Holiday Entertaining Tip
If you will be entertaining for the holidays your goal should be to keep it simple and stress-free. It does not matter if there are not enough chairs at the dining room table, the point is to spend the holiday with your loved-ones. Invite the people you care about and they will make do and have a wonderful time.Don't fret over the small stuff. You don't have to have the perfect, homemade centerpiece or an elaborate menu that will require you to spend the entire day in the kitchen and miss out on all of the festivities. Plan ahead, use your lists and enlist the help of your guests if necessary. If everybody works together you all accomplish the goal of a peaceful, relaxing holiday, spending quality time with the ones you love.
Happy Holidays from my organized home to yours.
Have you picked up your copy of Tips to Organize Events yet?
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Tips to Organize Events is the most versatile planner you will find because you are not limited to the type of event you can plan with it. Use it for anything from a birthday party to a bridal shower. If it's a party, it can be planned with Tips to Organize Events.
Click here to learn more about Tips to Organize Events, including how to get your copy now.
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