Once again the Holidays are right around the corner.  Don't panic! Establish a plan in order to create the kind of holiday season that you dream about instead of settling for one that you dread.

Here are just a few of my favorite ideas for keeping the holidays simple:

• Purchase a 5x7 spiral bound notebook with pocket dividers. Use this to keep track of holiday lists, meal plans, recipes, gifts lists, and receipts. All of your holiday plans will be organized in one place. Keep it with you and you will be able to shop, plan, and organize whenever you have a spare moment.
• For Thanksgiving, one of our favorite family traditions is to have each person write down one thing they are especially thankful for that year. We place them all in a basket and then pass the basket and take turns reading each others "thanks".
• Keep your decorations simple - a beautiful holiday tree, fresh greens, candles, and shiny ornaments in clear glass containers. Less really is more when it comes to decorating your home.
• Involve your children in your holiday planning. Find out what they cherish most and focus your energies there.
• Get creative with ideas for non-material gift giving. Tickets to an event, a special meal, a trip to the snow...the possibilities are endless!

 For more wonderful holiday ideas, please join me for a free class, "Simplifying the Holidays," offered at Birchwood Presbyterian Church (400 Meadowbrook Court, Bellingham, 98226), Tuesday, November 11th at 7 p.m. Anyone is welcome-bring a friend. Please RSVP if you think you might join us so we can plan accordingly.

Don't let the approaching holidays overwhelm you. Enlist the help of an Organized at Last team member if your list is longer than your patience!

Nothing is better than a "Simply Organized Holiday Season"!