6 Simple Ways to Organize Your Holidays

No sooner than that first Fall wind blows through, the Holidays are among us.  We sweep away the pumpkin seeds and pull out the good china.  Before we know it, we'll be addressing Christmas cards and frantically searching for that last-minute gift.

Here are a few things that can calm your nerves and organize your holidays:

Designate specific areas for your holiday planning

Whether you have a full room for each project, or a simple space in which to containerize, try to identify an area to spread out, plan and organize the holiday events.  You may want to pull out your Thanksgiving chachkis, Fall decor, and place settings to pre-plan your guest list.  Another for Christmas, and yet another for the New Year. 

Keep a small notebook for each project

Having a notepad to jot ideas down as they come to you is a great way to pre-plan your gift lists, guest lists, food lists, etc.

Create a Holiday Calendar for goal-setting

Just a simple 3 month calendar printed from your computer is the perfect tool to create a Holiday time-line, and forsee shopping dates, travel time and guest arrivals.

Meal-Plan ahead of time

Meal planning is the best way to organize your family dinners and grocery runs, but it also saves a lot of time and money during the holidays.  When you anticipate company, more mouths to feed on or around Holiday time, you can get those extra in-between meals all planned out for a stress free transition.

Be ready for unexpected guests

You know it always happens - the kids invite extra buddies, your favorite cousin stops by, a friend from your church group has noplace to go for the Holidays...  it's bound to happen, you will have extra guests during this time.  Keep a few extra sets of sheets and towels in your spare bedroom.  Create a care basket of soaps, shampoos, and extra toiletries on the bed for your arriving guests, and they will surely think you've outdone yourself!

Slow Down!

Life is too short, so be sure to enjoy yourself in the process.  Cherish every moment you have with your family and friends, and most importantly, honor yourself and take a break when it gets a little overwhelming.

For the kiddies - Great ideas and projects to keep them busy :) 

CLICK HERE

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!!

Would you like to free up your time for more important things, like spending time with your family? Do you have trouble managing your paper clutter? How would you feel if somebody could take a weight off your shoulder with a little advice? I can help you get organized and bring balance back into your life? ~ Visit my website Renew Your Space for a full list of services and details.

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Tips & Tricks of a Busy, Better Organized Mom

I recall working as an Office Manager long ago, when I received a cumulitave card from the staff on Secretary's Day.  It was a creepy looking woman with six arms which read, "Thank you for doing it all". 

What an undertaking - doing it all...  We were once encouraged to multi-task, keeping up with the kids, the housework, our social life and all of the demanding elements of our career.  Now multitasking at work is considered faux pas, as we tend to lose ourselves in the process. 

So what is the right way to go about all of this stuff that needs to be done in a 24 hour period?  How do we strike the right chord of life balance?  Goal-setting has always been one of my secret weapons for getting what I want.  My to do lists have been an invaluable resource in keeping my life on track, and one major resource that I have come to rely on, has been the ListPlanIt website created by Jennifer Tankersly.

This woman has made an amazing database with literally hundreds of lists to put your world in order.  House Keeping, Children, Family Planning, Schedules, Work Projects, Meal Plans, Hobbies, Volunteer Projects...  You name it!  What I love even more about this creation of lists in this beautiful website, is Jennifer's kind personality and creativity.  I really admire a woman who can dream up such a valuable resourse to busy women.

I would like to share with you, her amazing free downloadable book, "Tips & Tricks of a Busy, Better Organized Mom".

It's free for the taking ~ Just click on the workbook above and follow the PDF download prompts on the website :) 

I hope you find much peace, simplicity and less mundane through her suggestions and lists.  Enjoy!!

Would you like to free up your time for more important things, like spending time with your family? Do you have trouble managing your paper clutter? How would you feel if somebody could take a weight off your shoulder with a little advice? I can help you get organized and bring balance back into your life? ~ Visit my website www.renewyourspaces.com for a full list of services and details.

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A Simple Patio Bar

With this incredible view of our Ventura ocean, I needed a good option for viewing as my girlfriends and I sip our Zinfandel on the patio.  I admit, I am still adjusting to this new home and haven't yet found the right bar stools that stand up to the view.







Sometimes, just the simplest of stools will suffice to a small cocktail party or a small breakfast bar, like these which I used in our Northern California home (just to the right of the over-stuffed chair - I know, hard to see).  Here, I wanted something that could be quickly pulled out for guests, but out of the way for everyday storage.

I wanted to locate something that has substance and depth for this new space, so I found some options at CSN Stores which can be saddled up to the patio rail.  Easily outfitted with a couple of wine glasses and hor d'oeurvres, they are simple abundance!  They don't have to scream big and bulky for the impact of an elegant bar, simplicity is the key and confort is even better.

The Temporary "Bar"



Vola!  Instant patio bar ~ These are my options which will go perfectly with my new black and white theme. Simple, easy to store out of the way and comfortable.  I can't wait to choose ~ What do you think?

Would you like to free up your time for more important things, like spending time with your family? Do you have trouble managing your paper clutter? How would you feel if somebody could take a weight off your shoulder with a little advice? I can help you get organized and bring balance back into your life? ~ Visit my website www.renewyourspaces.com for a full list of services and details.

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That Dredded Dishwasher

One comment I often hear while working with a client on Time Management is how much they hate doing the dishes.  It is easily passed off onto the kids, who grumble about this chore and they stomp off to shove plates and glasses haphazardly into the dishwasher.

As I witness this, I wonder, why the hate?  This is the easiest chore in the house, and if you follow these directions, you can keep this little secret to yourself and hoard the responsibility while everyone else shuffles off to mop the floors :)

Organization is 100% responsible for how easy dishwashing can be - if you own a dishwasher, you are in luck!  It really only takes a couple of minutes to load and unload it if you do it right. 

1.  Place them in the same spot everytime you load:  That's right - come up with a routine to loading the dishwasher.  This will save you so much time when you have to unload.

2.  Come up with a pattern:  Just like with organizing your home, placing like items together will save time and space.  All of your bowls fit just so in the front (or top)...  mugs go in that shelf over there, and each cubby down below contains it's own subject - forks, spoons, knives...  you get the idea.

3.  Make sure everything has its place:  You've heard it before... "A place for everything and everything in its place"  It really is a great metaphor, especially for the kitchen.  With so many gadgets and dishes, if you identify a home for everything, you and your family won't search for optional locations to shove them.  Chances are your favorite bundt pan will be right where you need it the next time you want to bake a cake.

4.  Unloading is a breeze when you've done all the thinking upfront:  How simple is that?  Just pull out your utensils from each cubby and place right into their spot in the silverware drawer. 

If you like my Organizing blog, you will love my Free Quick Tips Access from ReneW Your Space ~ Sign up now!

Would you like to free up your time for more important things, like spending time with your family? Do you have trouble managing your paper clutter? How would you feel if somebody could take a weight off your shoulder with a little advice? I can help you get organized and bring balance back into your life? ~ Visit my website www.renewyourspaces.com for a full list of services and details.

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Just Breathe

It is always hard to give up doing the things we love so much when the essence of time escapes us - for me, it's my writing.  And in keeping with my life's purpose, writing my blog is the perfect marriage with my organizing career. 

But there comes a time when it all becomes so overwhelming, and something's got to give.  As much as I hate to, the blog is the first to be put on hold when the time in my own life needs to become more organized. I know YOU, my dear readers can relate to this. 

As I temporarily stepped away to take care of my family the past two weeks, I focused on working on my inner peace and learned how to breathe again.  I have been involved in a Philosophy class which has really opened my eyes on enjoying the silence...  what a revolation!!  It's been a wonderful transformation, and one that I will fully suggest to my clients who are seeking that simplicity in their lives.  It really does go hand in hand with organization - an uncluttered mind.

The whole process really made me think about creating a sacred space where I can go for the quiet.  A space of my own with visual beauty and where I can surround myself with the objects that I love.  I found this amazing example of my definition of peace, and I created my own version.  A simple Papa San chair, a basket of books and a miniature waterfall propped up in the corner of our balcony overlooking the ocean.  Simple abundance...  Heaven...

How do you create your sacred space?  Isn't it about time you found yours? 

Would you like to free up your time for more important things, like spending time with your family? Do you have trouble managing your paper clutter? How would you feel if somebody could take a weight off your shoulder with a little advice? I can help you get organized and bring balance back into your life? ~ Visit my website www.renewyourspaces.com for a full list of services and details.

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