Gift giving can be one of the greatest stresses of the holiday season. Deciding what to buy, where to buy it, how much to spend, wrapping it up and in some cases mailing it off…yikes! I’m tired already!

Here are just a few of my favorite ideas for simplifying gift giving. 

1. Organize your gift list! Create your list, establish your budget, and stick to it. 

2. Consider non-material gift giving. Give the gift of service. Make a difference in someone else’s life-adopt a family in need or volunteer at a local organization. Donate to a charity in the recipient’s name. (The happiest people I know are those who give back!) 

3. Give experiences as gifts. A trip to the Lights of Christmas in Stanwood – delightful for young and old. Tickets to a game or event (something my boys always love!). A special day out together – create a gift certificate with the day’s plan. A day in the snow or winter beach outing.

4. Give theme gifts. Each year choose a different theme and base your gift choices on that (i.e., music, books, pajamas, etc.) Always be prepared with a few extra gifts to give as hostess gifts, neighbors, etc.

5. Set up a holiday gift-wrap station. Establish a place for this and include: gift-wrap, ribbon, gift bags, tissue, tie ons, tins, boxes, tape, gift tags, etc. When everything is easily accessible, gift-wrapping becomes less of a “chore”. (It might just be a bin that is stored under the bed.)

Be deliberate and be firm about your choices and changes with friends and family. Less really is more!
 
Please send an email or give us a call if you need additional ideas. If you would like extra “holiday hands” for shopping, wrapping, decorating, or organizing, the Organized at Last team is ready to help!
 
I trust that you will enjoy this Holiday Season more than ever before.  Enjoy time with others and take time for yourself, simplifying allows you to do both!

For more information go to www.organizedatlast.biz