Feel Good Holiday Tips

The holiday season should be a time of joy, connection, and reflection. However, for a lot of people, the holidays can be stressful and overwhelming, sucking the joy right out of the season. Why not let this be the year that you take control of the chaos? Navigate the holidays with these Buzzworthy tips to focus on being more present in order to savor the special moments of gathering with those you love.

1 BEE Intentional with Gifts

Give a gift that doesn’t take up SPACE! Take the stress of gift buying off your plate and keep clutter out of the house by following these tips:

• Change the Trend: Tell your friends and family that you don’t need another thing. Agree to NO GIFTS this year and stick to it! Instead, create memories together by spending quality time with activities like game nights or holiday movie marathons.
• Choose Experiences Over Things: Instead of traditional gifts, consider giving the gift of experiences. Plan a weekend getaway, music concert, sports event, spa day, or favorite restaurant…the possibilities are endless when you really think about the person you’re gifting to.
• Give Your Time: Cooking a special meal, baking a treat, babysitting, sharing your talent or lending a helping hand are way more meaningful than something you could buy.



• Give a Consumable: Gifts that can be consumed make wonderful gifts that don’t add to the clutter or take up precious space. Here’s some of our favorite consumable gift ideas:
  • – Gourmet treats or baskets
  • – Wine or craft beers
  • – Specialty teas or coffee
  • – Create a photo slideshow
  • – Create a music playlist
  • – Subscription services (Audible, Netflix, meals, etc.)
  • – Cooking classes or workshops
  • – Cheese and charcuterie board set
  • – Zoo membership or botanical garden
  • – Herb or vegetable gardening kit
  • – Dance or art lessons
  • – Tickets to a concert or symphony
• Make a Donation: Choose a cause close to their heart and that does good in the world.
• Give a Gift Certificate: Most of us already have too much stuff, so don’t add to the clutter. A gift card is convenient and allows the recipient the freedom to choose for themselves without adding to their physical belongings.

2 Plan Ahead

Start your planning early so you can approach the season with a sense of organization and reduced stress, allowing you to fully embrace the joy and meaning of holiday festivities. As organizing and planning experts, we feel certain you’ll experience some of these benefits by planning ahead:

• Avoid Last-Minute Stress: Create a checklist and prioritize tasks to stay organized and prevent last-minute rushes. Whether it’s gift shopping, decorating, or meal preparation, having a plan in place gives you ample time to tackle each task without feeling overwhelmed.
• Declutter Now: As professional organizers, we’ve seen the measurable impact that a freshly organized space can have. The more you can do to remove clutter now, the better off you’ll be later. Grab a trash bag, bin, or cardboard box, set a timer for 30 minutes, and see how much you can quickly declutter from your main rooms. Gather up all of the trash, broken items, etc. and toss them in the trash bag. Collect unwanted items in the cardboard box and donate them.
• Stay on Budget: The holiday season often comes with increased expenses. Planning ahead allows you to create a budget and make thoughtful decisions about how much you want to spend on gifts, decorations, and other festive activities. This can help prevent financial strain and post-holiday budget woes.
• Opportunity for Thoughtful Gift Selection: Taking the time to plan ahead allows you to choose gifts more thoughtfully. You can consider the preferences and interests of your loved ones, resulting in more meaningful and appreciated presents.
• Time for Personalization: Planning ahead provides the opportunity to personalize gifts or decorations. Whether it’s customizing a present, creating handmade items, or ordering personalized cards, having extra time allows for a more thoughtful and unique touch.
• Flexibility in Scheduling: Planning ahead gives you the flexibility to schedule holiday activities and gatherings at times that work best for everyone involved. This can help you coordinate with family and friends, making it easier for everyone to participate.
• Reduced Pressure and Anxiety: The holiday season can be stressful, and procrastination can intensify that pressure. Planning ahead helps distribute tasks over time, reducing the burden and without adding unnecessary anxiety.
• More Time for Relaxation and Enjoyment: Planning ahead ensures that you have more time to relax and enjoy the special moments of the holiday season. You can focus on spending quality time with loved ones rather than rushing through last-minute preparations.

HOLIDAY CHECKLISTS

With the hustle and bustle of the season in full swing, we thought a few good checklists might come in handy to keep you organized and focused on your holiday preparations.