Clutter-Free Gifts for the Holidays

We all deal with clutter in different ways.  Some of us handle it as it comes into the home.  Some go on weekend binges and clean out large areas of the home in a day or two.  Others wait until January, and make the resolution to get more organized.  Then life happens...

So my question is, do you really want to add to your clutter over the holidays?  Do you want to add clutter to others' homes?  Why would you?  Wouldn't life be easier if you DIDN'T add to the many piles already accumulated? 

And yet, it's fun to exchange gifts.  So how about buying clutter-free gifts?  Gifts that won't get shoved to the back of a closet or end up under the bed?  Here are some ideas:

For the techie in your life:

• A subscription to online back-up storage
• Useful apps for their phone/tablet
• An eBook reader to consolidate their book collection
• A wireless digital frame to enjoy family photos
• Software for their computer
• Pay for a subscription to Amazon Prime - unlimited downloads and free shipping!

For the family:

• What's on their bucket list that you can check off?
• Go out to a nice dinner, no electronic devices allowed!
• Plan a weekend getaway with the family
• Hire a photographer for a family portrait session
• Offer to baby-sit for nieces/nephews and grandchildren
• Buy a gift certificate for a day (or afternoon) at the spa
• Start a savings account for your grandchildren
• Pay for a membership to a museum, botanic garden, or health club

For the elderly:

• Consumables - their favorite desserts, fruits or teas
• Time - spend time visiting.  Use it to write down family history and anecdotes.
• Cleaning service for their home
• Hire a handyman for a day to fix those little things
• Create a coupon book for errands or services, like a trip to the library or a shampoo and cut.

Still not sure what to do?  Donate to a charitable cause close to the person’s heart.  Don’t give to a charity of your choice, rather select a cause that is dear to them, and make a donation in their name.  You'll both feel good, and others will benefit.

What clutter-free gifts have you exchanged with others?

Getting Organized as a New Year's Resolution

Tips for Tuesday

It's the beginning of a new year. We start making resolutions, most of which we probably won't keep. They may be to stop smoking, lose weight or find a new job. Perhaps one of the most popular these days is getting organized. But how do you keep that resolution?

Smoking cessation and losing weight are easily defined. But what does "Get Organized" really mean?

Being organized isn't about perfection. It doesn't mean that everything has to be put away, and all your surfaces are pristine bordering on sterile.

What it does mean is that you are able to find things when you need them because they have been put away where they belong. This mean you have a system in place for handling items as they come into your home. It may be in a holding spot for a while (like bills), or it may get put away immediately, like groceries.

It also means that there are times you may fall behind a bit because of life's intrusions. And that's okay. As long as there is a place for something to be put away, and you make the time to take care of it when you can, then you are on your way to being organized.

Finally, don't stress yourself out if you can't get it all done in a day or weekend. It probably took years to get you there. So reward yourself when a room or area gets done. You deserve it.

Daily Tips for Get Organized Month!

January is Get Organized Month! To help you on a path to an organized life, we'll be posting daily tips (in weekly segments) for the entire month of January. Here is the first set of tips:

Day One:
If you haven't bought a calender yet, do it now! Find one that suits you. Buy only one planner for both personal and business schedules so you don't double-book. Don't delay--start entering appointments today.

Day Two:
Set your goals for the coming year. Post them somewhere you will see them every morning, like the fridge or bathroom mirror, as a reminder.

Day Three:
Look at the goals you set yesterday—make a list for each one on the steps you need to take to achieve those goals. Prioritize your list, and get started!

Day Four:
You can lose sight of your goals when life gets busy. Find a partner to motivate you and keep you on track. Do the same for your partner.

Day Five:
As you are putting away your gifts from the holiday, use the one in—out one rule. For each thing (sweater, book, etc) you bring in, get rid of one old one. You’ll never run out of room!

Day Six:
Do you have returns to make from holiday gifts? Do it soon before it’s too late. Store policies differ, so make sure you have all documentation before leaving the house.

Day Seven:
You use 20% of what you own 80% of the time. That means you can safely purge 80% of everything you own! How cleansing is that?

Call us today for special pricing for January sessions in observance of Get Organized Month—847-955-1822.