Keep Holiday Stress to a Minimum

Did you know that December is officially National Stress-Free Family Holidays Month? Here are 4 basic tips suggested in an article from Web MD. Then continue to read on for the complete article to have a more peaceful & happy Holiday Season!If you need help with your Holiday Planning or Decluttering your Holiday Spaces, call your favorite Professional Organizer today!1. Say No to Holiday Parties you don't want to attend.2. Say NO to out-of-control gift giving.3.  Say NO to unwanted houseguests.4. Say NO to taking on the work of a big holiday celebration.http://www.webmd.com/balance/features/keep-holiday-stress-minimum-learn-say-no

One of my favorite things

I am often asked if I believe in using those vacuüm seal storage bags you see on infomercials (space bags). Most do not work well. If you finally do get them to seal up, the seal will likely break open and you may unfortunately finds your linens or other contents have "exploded" into your storage area.As an option, I love the PEVA Clear Storage Containers from The Container Store.

• they are clear so that you can see the contents of your bag;

  1. the zippers are durable so that the contents may be removed &replaced time after time;

  2. they have handles on each side for ease of use;

  3. they come in 3 different sizes;

  4. they are affordable $7.99 - $9.99 each;

  5. they will stack on top of one another on shelves or fit nicely as under-bed storage.

I store extra linens in this way: comforter or sleeping bag / blanket / sheets / pillow -- all in one bag. This way, when we have "overflow" company at the holidays (more than will fit into our 3 extra guest rooms) and we need to utilize sofas and bring out the air mattresses for sleeping, I can simply pull out one storage chest for each guest. So easy!

10 dozen cookies baked and another successful holiday event!

We just had another successful Client Appreciation Dinner for my husband’s Edward Jones office in Llano, Texas! The evening included an entire community hall full of people who dined well on a Mexican buffet and scrumptious desserts. Lots of great fellowship was shared and all attending heard how the market is going to get stronger in the coming months (it is, you know!).In the 10 years Archie has been with Edward Jones, we have entertained lots of customers and put on lots of events! How does it all get done, done well, while sticking to a planned budget? I stress budget because truthfully, anyone can put on events with the myriad of options available in our world today, but doing it on a tight budget is a totally different thing.The answer: Planning. Lists. Work, yes; but each time notes and lists are used, the work becomes easier! One tool I have found which I really love is ListPlanIt. As a proud Professional Member of ListPlanit, I have access to a plethora of planning lists! Check out the over 500 lists they have available: http://www.listplanit.com

As we work together on our next organizing project, let me know if you are in need of a list to help you. Whether you are planning your upcoming Holiday Meal or simply your family’s meal plan and grocery list, lists help save time AND money!