It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

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It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year….

Rosy cheeks, the awesome smell of pine, decorative lights, and a feeling of anticipation in the air prompt us to think of holidays, loved ones, and hopes for the New Year. But 2020 has been difficult for many, and in the struggle to keep up, many things may have gone undone.

Do you feel overwhelmed by these end-of-year tasks?

  • Creating memorable holiday events
  • Organizing your business or personal paperwork for tax season
  • Finding space for continuing work or school from home

Not Sure Where to Begin?

Don’t let feelings of stress and frustration overwhelm you. Take a deep breath and consider some of these easy suggestions to plan and complete your end-of-year checklist.  To keep it simple, pick just one task and one tip to accomplish. This might be all you need to feel settled, or maybe that success will lead you to tackle more!

Holidays Covid-Style

This year instead of trying to do it all, focus on one specific area you would like to decorate.  Maybe you’d like to have the most welcoming entryway filled with lights, fresh greenery or silly snowmen. Or perhaps fill your home with wonderful scents and place candles or potpourri around your living space. Cranberry, cinnamon, cookie dough, peppermint, and pine can all conjure up a winter wonderland.

For gift sharing, consider making memories. One creative suggestion is sending your loved ones a party in a box, so everyone can share an experience together. Gather favorite songs or recipes from your family and friends and create a digital playlist or cookbook to share. These kinds of activities are limited only by your imagination.

Tax Time

While sorting receipts and collecting paperwork for taxes is no one’s idea of holiday fun, being organized and ready for tax time will give you piece of mind. If your desk is cluttered with bills and mail, the simple task of sorting and filing will make your work easier in the long run. An added benefit is that space will be clear for family zoom-time, gift wrapping, or decorating!

If you’re ready to move your finances online and don’t have the know-how, ask a friend or family member to gift you the time to teach you this new skill.  You will both benefit from the connection.

Preparing for More School or Work from Home

It appears that 2021 will begin with many of us still working or schooling from home. After the last few months, you probably have a better idea of how you’d like to arrange space or activities in your home to be more productive and efficient.  Making this a family project, complete with hot chocolate and holiday music, will create a memory that lasts into the new year.

If it’s chores that need organizing, turn that into a game that assigns family members to complete them. Using an app with built-in rewards might be a way to engage teenagers in household tasks.

If you are alone, you can pick one thing each day (or week) to complete yourself. Then treat yourself.

Ask the Experts

Your holiday can be a little more ‘merry and bright’ with just a little bit of time and planning.  If you find you’d rather have professional help to help accomplish your To-Do list, Queen B Organizing offers all these services and more and is here for you.

If you don’t know where to start, Queen B Organizing offers a one-hour “Pick Your Brain” session with a professional organizer.  In that time, a client can ask questions and get useful tips for how to handle any space, event, or organizing need with ease.  For $100, you could offer yourself, a friend, or family member a useful and memorable gift!

Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Solstice, Kwanzaa or just reflect on the calendar year ending and the new one in sight, end this year with the feeling of peace that comes from being organized.

And make a New Year’s Resolution to check out this blog every week for more helpful organizing ideas!

Oh, There’s No Place Like Home for the Holidays!

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There is no way around the news that 2020 has been a difficult year. And now here we are preparing for Thanksgiving, and Christmas is only a few short weeks away. For many of us feeling stuck at home, finding ways to be in the holiday spirit may be challenging this year. But good planning can help rejuvenate the experience.

Make a List. Check it Twice.

Start with making some lists. Who is on your list to connect with this holiday season? What are the most important parts of your holidays? Where can you make changes? What activities can you creatively adapt?  Taking stock of what is available to you in this trying year may spark some creative solutions to celebrating at home, with or without your usual company or traditions. Try visualizing your lists using drawings such as these to brainstorm ideas for planning gatherings in and out of your home, and virtually as well!   Ideas might include:

  • Cleaning out a garage space for a socially distanced gathering. Hang lights for ambiance.
  • Arranging a covered backyard or driveway space for picnicking. Add heaters, if required in your area.
  • Share favorite holiday recipes virtually using zoom, google hangouts or an app like Signal. Then you can share pictures of your creations after you make them!
  • If gift-giving is on your list, send gifts early and schedule time to open them together. Homemade and locally purchased items are particularly meaningful this year.

For more suggestions for entertaining virtually and at home, check out this article from the LA Times.

Consider Your Space

Whether you will be alone or celebrating with your select family or friends, consider spending some time organizing and decorating your space. It will lift your spirits and can also create some wonderful background for your virtual connections. Festive décor that is easy to change and to store is a wonderful way to reshape your surroundings and provide some respite from the difficulties of this year. Lights, candles, and greenery are simple and inexpensive ways to add some joy to your home.

Consider Others

During this season, many of us consider how to help those loved ones or strangers who have had economic and emotional difficulties through the year. With the pandemic and Oregon wildfires, many more people need assistance this year. Consider using your resources to provide help through one of the many agencies supporting holiday giving this year. Encouraging your family to agree on a local charity to support is a wonderful gift to others.

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Make your lists. Check them twice. If you need help with the process of planning or organizing your holidays in a meaningful way, Queen B Organizing can provide expertise and a caring attitude to make your holiday spirit bright. May we all find some holiday joy.