Organized Christmas

Holiday Tip of the Day: Post-Christmas Debriefing!

Cynthia Townley Ewer — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 07:00:00 +0000

The season is over, for better or worse; time to think ahead to next year. What lessons would you like to share with your future self?

Using the worksheet below, take a few moments now to ponder what worked, what didn't. Called "debriefing", this exercise will remind you next year of all the things you know right now. It'll guide you toward an even more organized holiday season next year.

Holiday Debriefing Worksheet

Houseworks Holiday Plan: New Years Week

Cynthia Townley Ewer — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 07:00:10 +0000

All good times must end; it's time to wrap up the Houseworks Holiday Plan and move into an organized New Year.

Tying up the season's loose ends, we'll make New Year's resolutions, remove and store holiday decor, and set the stage for next year's celebration.

See you next year!

New Year's Week Assignments

Holiday Tip of the Day: Document Decorations!

Cynthia Townley Ewer — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 07:00:00 +0000

Are you happy with this year's holiday decorations? Quick! Before you pack 'em away, grab a camera and snap quick photos of each room's decorations.

Together with a free printable room-by-room decor planner, photos will help smooth holiday decorating next season. Add both to your Christmas notebook.

Next year, you'll know what goes where--because when it comes to holiday decorating, a picture is worth a thousand words!

Holiday Decor Planner

Holiday Tip of the Day: Treecycling!

Cynthia Townley Ewer — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 19:00:00 +0000

It's taken center stage for the family celebration, but now it's tired and ready to rest. What to do with the Christmas tree after the holidays?

Answer: treecycling! Eco-conscious communities provide ways to recycle Christmas trees at season's end.

To find treecycling locations in your area, visit this Web page from Earth911.com. Don't miss the "treecycling reminder" ornament! It's a free printable ornament to hang on the tree and remind you to give a gift to Mother Earth:

Treecycling

Holiday Tip of the Day: Thank You Notes!

Cynthia Townley Ewer — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 19:00:00 +0000

Give your children the gift of good manners: instruct them in the art of writing thank-you notes.

A good note is personal, specific and warm. Remind children to address the giver by name, mention the gift, and share how they'll use or enjoy it.

Better still, hold a family thank-you note session. Writing notes together teaches youngsters that gratitude is as much a part of the season as the gifts themselves.

5 Tips to Get Organized For Next Christmas

Cynthia Townley Ewer — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 20:23:18 +0000

Every year at this time, the e-mails tell the story: "I wish I'd found this site earlier!" Faced with the reality of Christmas chaos, many folks are looking for a better way. Stumbling over our site, they see that it's possible to be organized--and joyous--during the holidays.

The secret to a stress-free season? Plan ahead!

Then try these five tips to get ready for next Christmas:

Merry Christmas from OrganizedChristmas.com

Cynthia Townley Ewer — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 16:15:50 +0000

May the blessings of the season fall abundantly on you, your family, friends and community.

Merry Christmas from all of us at OrganizedChristmas.com!

Holiday Tip of the Day: Journal Christmas Memories!

Cynthia Townley Ewer — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 07:00:00 +0000

The celebration is in full swing? Quick ... while the moment is fresh: write down the year's holiday memories.

A Christmas journal will bring the moments to mind long after the New Year.

We make it easy, with a printable holiday memories journal page:

Holiday Memories Journal

Gifts Received Printable from Microsoft.com

Cynthia Townley Ewer — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 15:06:43 +0000

It's every mother's Christmas morning list: a record of gifts received, to be used for the next day's thank-you note session.

If you're a Microsoft Word user (Word 97 or later), check out this free printable:

Free Printable Gifts Received Tracker Form

Printable Fun: Send A Letter To Santa!

Cynthia Townley Ewer — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 14:54:41 +0000

Are the little ones eager to send the year's wish list to Santa? Create a memorable Santa letter--and print it, too--with this online Santa letter generator from Scott products.

Choose from one of three colorful templates, then personalize the letter with your child's name, age and favorite reindeer. If you're comfortable sharing an e-mail address, Santa will send a message back to your child!

Print A Letter To Santa