How to Get Organized for the Holidays

Though the holiday season may look a bit different this year with limitations on group gatherings, there is still plenty to do for a socially-distanced holiday celebration. With the holidays right around the corner, ease any stress you may be feeling by planning in advance for any holiday preparation you may have on your plate (pun intended!) If you’re wondering how to get organized for the holidays, keep reading for our best tips below!

1. Make a To-Do List

Creating a list of everything you have to do to prepare for the holidays is the first step in getting organized. By having all your thoughts and ideas down in one place, it will help you get a head start. Be sure you don’t miss any of the following:

Who you plan to buy for (and details including gift ideas, sizes and budgets for each)
Wrapping materials
Make a list of addresses for holiday cards
Meal or dessert ideas and relevant recipes you plan to use
Any linens or dishes needed for meals
Errands that will need to be taken care of
Home cleaning projects

2. Take Stock of Holiday Decorations

By reviewing what you already have for holiday decor, you won’t risk buying a second life-size Santa or overdoing it on the Christmas lights. Take a day to categorize decorations for all holidays – even if it’s just a clear bin with a label, this will help you to see what you have to avoid spending unnecessary money on decorations. Be sure to donate or toss anything you haven’t used in a while that may be collecting dust. Doing this for all holidays will help you enjoy stress-free decorating for years to come!

3. Tackle Holiday Cards on the Early Side

Holiday cards can be tough, especially with all the hustle and bustle of the holidays unfolding around you. If you or your family like to send holiday cards, don’t feel like you have to finish them in one sitting. Try keeping a few cards with you for “in between” moments, like when you’re at the doctor, waiting for a takeout order, or any time you have a couple of minutes to spare.

4. Plan Your Meals in Advance

Preparing meals can often be a point of stress, especially if you are hosting a holiday at your home. By doing as much as you can before the holidays, you can save yourself valuable time to devote to other things. In this case, the freezer will be your best friend!

A few ideas for holiday meal prepping include:

Pull out recipes for the dinners, desserts or candies you will be making
Stock any non-perishables for your recipes to avoid a last-minute grocery trip
Make your pie crusts ahead of time and freeze
Make cookies ahead of time and freeze
For any cookies that don’t freeze well, mix together the dry ingredients and store in a labeled plastic bag

5. Recruit Help from Loved Ones

While it may be hard to allow others to lend a helping hand around the holidays, it’s one of the best things you can to help stay organized. Sometimes all that prepping, cooking and clean-up is simply too much for one person. If someone wants to bring an appetizer or dish, accept their offer; if you need assistance in the kitchen, simply ask. That is what the holidays are all about!

6. Take Care of Yourself

At the end of the day, the most important tip we can offer is to take care of yourself! You don’t want to be sick or run down during the holidays, especially during a time where being sick can make you extra vulnerable. We understand it can be hard to lay low when there is a long list of things to do, but trust us – it will be impossible to stay organized for the holidays if you’re not feeling your best. Stay hydrated, get plenty of rest, stick to your workout routine, and above all, don’t let yourself get stressed!

We hope these tips will show you how to get organized for the holidays! Cumberland Crossing by OceanView is an independent retirement community based in beautiful Cumberland, Maine. To learn more about our community, please contact us!