How can I be more organized during the holiday season?

The secret to not getting overwhelmed is to shop a little all through the year. Make a list and keep it in the special storage bin that you store items in...mark off the items on your list as you shop. Buy your decorating and wrapping supplies at after Christmas sales...as well as several other items since stores have great clearance and sales throughout the year. Not only do you save money, but you eliminate the rush.

I bought my daughter a very expensive cape style wrap that I would never have paid that price for that I found on super sale. I store things away until it is time to wrap them.

When my kids were young, I would have everything bought and wrapped by September. They never knew what I was doing...well at least I never saw any sign of torn paper!

Then all you have to worry about is getting those "special this year" items kids always want!

It can feel so overwhelming Tammy - I never get half what I plan done in each year!

I'd make a list of what you really need to do and what can be left. Try and get family to pitch in. (I know that can be easier said than done) I make my kids do a 10 minute tidy up where they have to run for me for 10 minutes (with a timer on) returning everything back to their rightful places when we tackle a room.

I hope that you have a lovely Christmas x

keep it simple and enjoy the holidays - everything does not have to be perfect

Mise en place. Not just for cooking, but also for life! Lists, make a list and cross items off as you do them. Get family members to help out too! Social media and magazines cause undue stress and anxiety. Don't forget things posted on Pinterest, Instagram and in magazines are staged months in advance. If you work and don't have all the free time in the world, most people feel stressed. Just keep it simple and tasteful so you can enjoy the holiday with family and friends, who cares if it isn't perfect? I always make a little Charlie Brown tree and put out the "experiment" cookies and candies that didn't turn out picture perfect. Always the first plate if sweets to disappear.

Plan only the basics because plans change. Store all decorations together in totes. If kids are old enough let them decorate the tree and bake cookies with supervision. Don' t fall for the 'I have to do it all'. Kids can run a vacuum, use a dust cloth, and learn to pick up after themselves. I was 5 when Granny handed me a dust rag and bottle of furniture polish and told me how to do it.

If you have freezer space, holiday baking can be started in October and properly sealed until needed.

Decorating can commence the day after Thanskgiving. Clear bins with detailed lists of contents saves time in future years. Similar with similar, fragile with fragile, lights together, outdoor decorations stored together, gift wrapping materials stored together for easy access,, including ribbons, tapes, scissors, tags, pens and markers, gift bags, etc.

Tablecloths and linens can be ironed, rolled or folded, and stored together by Holiday. Holiday tableware/glassware stored together where items may be accessed and washed, in advance.

Cards, return address stickers, writing instruments stored together in easily accessible location.

Silk flowers, table decor in clear bins, specific to time of year or Holiday.

Label everything and seal with strapping tape, if needed.