{"id":4734,"date":"2014-12-04T06:00:58","date_gmt":"2014-12-04T11:00:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/professional-organizer.com\/WordPress\/?p=4734"},"modified":"2014-12-08T21:49:07","modified_gmt":"2014-12-09T02:49:07","slug":"holiday-organizing-stress-free-holiday","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/professional-organizer.com\/WordPress\/holiday-organizing-stress-free-holiday\/","title":{"rendered":"8 Ways to have a Stress Free Holiday"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\"stress<\/a><\/p>\n

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It’s easy to be overwhelmed at holiday time. There’s so many activities, so much to accomplish and so many ways to get off track.\u00a0 Added together, these take away holiday fun.\u00a0 Staying focused on holiday joy requires holiday organizing.\u00a0 Choose one of these 8 simple tips for less stress this holiday season.<\/p>\n

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1. Get a good night’s rest<\/h3>\n

Life is better with a good night’s sleep.\u00a0 With so much to do we become bedtime procrastinators<\/a> and stay up late to get more done.\u00a0 We get too focused on a small part of holiday preparations.\u00a0 Be sure to get in bed to get 8 hours of rest.<\/p>\n

2. Keep it simple Santa<\/h3>\n

It’s hard to know what’s enough.\u00a0 Are there enough presents under the tree? Are there enough lights on the tree?\u00a0 Simplifying<\/a> gifts, decorations and even the number of cookies <\/a>for your exchange makes for more joy at the holidays.<\/p>\n

3. Holiday happenings<\/h3>\n

The holiday season can be when we are really over committed.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Add all your events and your family events to one calendar to be sure you can attend what is most important to you.\u00a0 Be sure to commit to only those activities with meaning for you and your family.\u00a0\u00a0 If you don’t want to be a part of a cookie exchange or attend Handel’s Messiah, graciously decline the invitation.<\/p>\n

4. Lists and more lists, either paper or digital<\/h3>\n

As Santa says, making a list and checking it twice.\u00a0 Lists<\/a> are what is needed to be sure no details are overlooked.\u00a0 My personal favorites that are simple to use are Evernote<\/a> and Notes.\u00a0 (Evernote is the green elephant looking app and Notes is the post it note looking app.)\u00a0 I update it all year along with holiday purchases so I know what I have and what I need.<\/p>\n

5. Share the fun by partnering with your family and friends<\/h3>\n

When you are sharing a job with others, you feel the connection to each other and your work is faster, easier and often with a better result.\u00a0 Get everyone in on the holiday decorating by hosting a decorating party with snacks and music.\u00a0 Share the work by asking who wants to do what job.\u00a0 Everyone wants a job they enjoy.<\/p>\n

6. Share joy by doing for others<\/h3>\n

There is so much need in our community. Whether it’s helping assembling bikes<\/a>, helping purchase toys<\/a> or simply asking someone to share your holiday meal, holiday are more meaningful when you are helping others. Include your children in sharing toys with others by choosing an angel that is their age to purchase toys for.<\/p>\n

7. Find resources that help make your season merry and bright.<\/h3>\n

Decorating, baking and food preparation take a lot of time and energy.\u00a0\u00a0 This year may be a good time to hire a home decorator, purchase cookies from a local baker on Facebook, or purchase goodies at the grocery store.\u00a0 If too many obligations keep you from finding holiday joy, delegate one or more parts of holiday preparation.\u00a0 It’s a gift you give yourself.<\/p>\n

8. Immerse yourself in your spirituality<\/h3>\n

Holidays are truly about spirituality.\u00a0 Reading your devotional and sharing these stories with your children bring you back to the reason for the holiday.\u00a0 Spend a few minutes each evening sharing the meaning of the holidays.\u00a0 Reflection and meditation are important parts of everyone’s day year round.<\/p>\n

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My wish for you is to find joy and magic in this season of gathering together.\u00a0 Wishing you a stress free holiday!<\/p>\n

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Want to jump into the new year more organized? Join my newsletter <\/a>for tips and tricks!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

        It’s easy to be overwhelmed at holiday time. There’s so many activities, so much to accomplish and so many ways to get off track.\u00a0 Added together, these take away holiday fun.\u00a0 Staying focused on holiday joy requires holiday organizing.\u00a0 Choose one of these 8 simple tips for less stress this holiday […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[1053],"tags":[1342,1340,1341,1347],"class_list":["post-4734","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-holiday-organizing-2","tag-be-more-joyful-with-these-holiday-tips","tag-joyful-holiday","tag-keeping-joy-in-your-holiday-season","tag-stress-free-holiday"],"yoast_head":"\n8 Ways to have a Stress Free Holiday - Ellen's Blog, Professional Organizing for Kingwood & Houston<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Bah humbug to the holidays? 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