Day 12 - Enjoy Yourself! {12 Days of Being Organized for the Holidays}

If you've been following this series for the last 6 weeks, you're hopefully well prepared for Christmas!  Or at least better prepared than you would have been if you hadn't followed some of my organizing tips :)

Today, I want to share a few last-minute ideas to help you enjoy your holidays.

Day 11 - Preparing Holiday Meals {12 Days of Being Organized for the Holidays}

Last week I shared tips to help you plan a holiday meal, with the goal of being prepared ahead of time so you can spend time with your guests.

Today, I want to take that even one step further, and share tips for being organized on the actual day of the meal, so you can really enjoy yourself that day, instead of being overwhelmed in your kitchen the whole time.

Day 10 - Planning for Holiday Meals {12 Days of Being Organized for the Holidays}

Are you having guests over for Christmas dinner?  Do you get overwhelmed with preparing a big meal for extra people and with foods you may not make on a regular basis?  If you get to the end of your holiday gathering and you're exhausted, and you feel like you haven't spent any time with your guests, and you never want to host another holiday dinner, then you need this post :)

Today I'm sharing a few tips to help you plan for any holiday meals you'll be serving.  Some of them may be things you already do and some may be new ideas. But hopefully having these tips all in one place, just before your holiday dinners, will help you be super prepared and be able to enjoy your time with your guests, rather than having a meltdown in your kitchen!

Day 9 - Making Room for the New {12 Days of Being Organized for the Holidays}

Do you ever feel overwhelmed when you think about all the new "stuff" that will be entering your home during the holidays?  Those with kids are often especially overwhelmed.  New toys, clothes, books, and games from generous grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.  Not to mention your own gifts to your children, and of course those from the jolly red-dressed guy!

If you already feel like your home is cluttered, the thought of adding more to your home can be stifling.  But it doesn't have to be that way!

Today I'm sharing a few tips to help simplify your holidays by decluttering.  {It just wouldn't be a series on organizing if I didn't discuss decluttering right?!}

Holiday Shortbread Squares: A Simple Christmas Recipe

A few days ago I shared tips to help organize your holiday baking, so you can enjoy it, and not be overwhelmed during the process.  One of the tips was to choose simple recipes and I shared a bunch of easy recipes from friends of mine, all of which have only a few ingredients and simple steps.

Today, I want to share one of the very simple recipes we make every year for Christmas.  It's a holiday version of shortbread.  And when I say simple... I mean it!

Day 8 - Holiday Baking {12 Days of Being Organized for the Holidays}

Do you like to bake festive treats for Christmas parties?  Or make holiday desserts for special dinners?  There are so many delicious and beautiful recipes out there and so many occasions to serve them, that it can get overwhelming in the midst of an already busy season.  Today I'm sharing a few tips to help simplify your holiday baking so it can be an enjoyable part of your holiday preparations.

Day 7: Finding Balance {12 Days of Being Organized for the Holidays}

Do you get overwhelmed during the holidays trying to keep up with the day-to-day tasks?  There are so many extra events and gatherings so we're not home as often.  And when we are home, we're busy with holiday wrapping, baking, and decorating.

It's hard to fit in time for things like cleaning and cooking!  In today's post I'll share tips to help you make use of your time so you can stay more balanced during the holidays and enjoy all the special memories you're making.

Day 6 - Holiday Traditions {12 Days of Being Organized for the Holidays}

Do you have traditions you do every year during the holidays?  Favourite movies to watch, books to read, songs to listen to, foods to eat, places to go, etc.?  Christmas traditions are wonderful!  They hold fond memories and we anticipate them all year.

But it can be overwhelming trying to juggle all those traditions sometimes.  Which makes it hard to enjoy them!  In today's post I'll share tips to help you find time to enjoy all your favourite holiday traditions.

Day 5 - Holiday Decorating Tips {12 Days of Being Organized for the Holidays}

Do you decorate for the holidays?  I always find it helps make my home more festive, but it can be overwhelming dealing with all the decor items. Today I'm sharing a few tips to help make Christmas decorating easier.

Day 4 - Shopping the Sales {12 Days of Being Organized for the Holidays}

So we've made our holiday to-do list, planned what we will be giving everyone, and sent out Christmas cards.  Now it's time to start shopping!  And what better time than this week with Pre-Black Friday sales, Black Friday sales, Small Business Saturday sales, and Cyber Monday sales!  To help you make the most of those sales, it's important to have a plan for shopping, so today I'll give you some tips to help you maximize your time and your dollar.

Day 3: Holiday Cards {12 Days of Being Organized for the Holidays}

Do you send out holiday cards to friends and family?  It's always fun to receive these festive greetings, but sometimes it can be overwhelming to send them out.  Today I'm sharing a few tips to help make this process easier.

Day 2: Planning Gifts {12 Days of Being Organized for the Holidays}

Are you overwhelmed with all the gifts you need to buy in the next few weeks?  Today I'm sharing tips to help you plan out what you are going to buy for each person on your list!  If you shop early you'll avoid some of the crowds and be able to enjoy yourself during the holidays.