Holiday Hints and Tips – See. Perceive. Act.

We’re deep into December now, former procrastinators.  Everybody’s running on all cylinders.  Here are some ideas to help smooth out work and maximize effort – all to give you more time for fun and sweet memories.  If you can, enlist the help of family and friends – another way to make memories!

• Pace yourself. Before biting off more sugar cookie than you can chew, it’s a good idea to figure out how much you’d like to do and how much time you have to do it in.  To run a check on yourself, see Christmas Timing Strategies.
  
  
• Declutter as you go.  As you decorate, see, perceive, and act.  Is some item actually too worn to continue using?  Does it not fit the family anymore?  Remove it from your collection.  Some say whatever’s left in the box when you finish ought to be removed.  You decide, but don’t put off until another year.  There are a couple of flat items I keep in the bottom of a box just to bring a smile, but they take no space.  If you plan to donate, do it early in the season, or items may not be accepted.
  
  
• Simplify.  It’s helpful to ask each person’s favorite dish, decoration, etc.  Some people may not care at all about something you spend lots of time on.  Focus on the priority items and events, and let the rest go.
  
  
• Cook ahead. Former procrastinators know “Done is better than perfect.”  Apply that to food during busy seasons:  “Done is better than fresh.”  (If at all possible.)  Potluck – What a load lifter!  Buy some of your items – favorite rolls from a restaurant, grocery store-prepared turkey, etc.
  
  
• Do something special with family and friends.  Make cookies together, watch a movie, attend a concert.
  
  
• Remember someone else – especially someone alone.  He or she might be delighted to make those cookies with you or attend a church concert together.
  
  
• Gift yourself.  It’s okay.  Minutes of quiet alone, a bath, a babysitter.  Something to refresh you.
  
  
• Ideas for storing it all away are in Back In the Box.   This year you can make future years easier.

We’re celebrating the birth of Christ.  What a privilege and joy! 

What tip will you share with us?