My motto as a seasoned Professional Organizer is especially true for holiday planning:

“If you do anything more than once in life, organize it and simplify it. That’s especially true for the holidays that come year after year like clockwork.”

With all year to prepare, you’d think we’d all be ready ahead of time for the holidays. But we’re generally stressed in ways that could be avoided. Here’s how you begin smooth sailing through today through Christmas.

1) List Names on Your Master Gift List

List everyone you plan to give gifts to in Priority Order. Pull out your Gift List from last year and copy them in the same order. Need a chart? Download it in our Holiday Calendar and Planning Hub

2) Setup a Holiday Gift Wrapping Center

It could be a box under your bed, a drawer in a dresser, or a section of a closet. List what you need to replenish such as rolls of wrapping paper (same size), gift bags, tissue paper, gift tags, bows or ribbons. Use what you have first to simplify wrapping clutter.

Gift Wrap Center-long

Long Under the Bed Boxes hold Rolls of Paper – This Gift Wrapping Center works well when you want to include the same length rolls of wrapping paper in 2-3 color scheme of Large print, Small Print, and Solid color. Under the Bed Box available at Target.

7 Items in Gift Wrap Center

7 Items you MSUT have in your Gift Wrapping Center – Everyone has the first 3, but be sure to include the last 4 items that always stay there, too!

Gift Wrap Center-smaller

Shorter Under the Bed Boxes Fits 2 Boxes End to End- This Gift Wrapping Center box works well for gift wrap bags of various sizes. Get a second box for rest of the year birthday wrapping. Lay rolls of gift wrap paper next to it. Available at Walmart.

3) Get Your 8-Week Holiday Calendar Dates in Place

Check that all holiday dates affecting you are marked plus reminders in My Personal Holiday Plan of dates you might overlook. Now add school or work vacation dates, social events, and when decorations go up and come down.

Get Your Holiday Hub with 8-WeekCalendar HERE

“I learned in class that the three weeks before Christmas are too busy. Start now!” -Colleen P.

Our “Stress-Free Holiday Class” will keep you stress-free Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s! “Fast Forward into Christmas- Shortcuts and Tips” on Gift Shopping, Holiday entertaining, & meaningful celebrations.

Join the Weekly “Holiday Season Class” for Accoutability, Learning, and Fun!
Holiday Book Set

The Holiday Planning Book Set

Join hundreds of women who pull their Simplify Your Holiday Season book set off the shelf every year and hit the ground running with their Gift Lists, Holiday Calendars, and Notes saved in the front pocket.
You’ll learn how to make the most of your limited time prepping for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s without feeling overwhelmed or underprepared. Enjoy stress-free holidays with these dependable systems and strategies.