By Michelle Zorbas, CPO® 

The holiday season can be both a time of great joy and great stress. As with so many things in life, planning is key. So while we still have some time to prepare, here are a few ways to reduce your mental load and (hopefully) be merry with efficiency in the coming weeks. 

Holiday Greeting Cards 

In case you missed it, our recent NAPO blog post invites you to consider skipping the holiday cards. If that’s not for you, but you realize half-way through December you completely forgot to buy or send any, going with “Happy New Year” cards buys you more time to send them out in a timely fashion. 

For Holiday Dinners 

Use Evites to keep track of who is coming and better yet—what they are bringing. The “What to Bring List” feature can save you from a barrage of “what should I bring?” messages from guests.  

If you’re dreading anyone bringing down the vibe with topics like the news, mention in the invite description it will be a politics-free holiday and that you’d also like everyone to bring their three best jokes or trivia questions. This way, you lay down the law ahead of time with a fun twist for conversation pieces. 

Don’t forget to buy takeout containers if you like to send people home with food (or suggest guests bring their own containers).   

On the big day, don’t be shy to ask for help and have explicit tasks ready for your family and friends. Some examples: 

• Setting the table 
• Clearing the table 
• Taking out the trash as needed (leave a few new bags at the bottom of the bin so no one needs to ask you where you keep them) 
• Making announcements, like when dinner is served or when dessert is set out 

For Gifts  

Build your gift list on your phone. I like to use the Notes app on my iPhone. That way, the list is always with you when you’re shopping or when you think of something to add or edit. 

Create the list of the people you need to buy for early, so you’ll be ready to go when the holiday sales kick off. Use the list to track your spending and stay on budget. Keeping track of each person you need to buy for also prevents overspending on any one individual by mistake. 

[EDITOR’S NOTE: Be sure to share this tracking with your spouse. One year, my wife and I didn’t clearly communicate the plan and went WAY overboard on spending and created more work for ourselves with returns!] 

For online purchases, update your list right after you click “order.” Don’t wait until you receive the package. This helps you flag late and missing deliveries. As soon as gifts arrive, store them in a designated spot. A gift drawer/bin is handy for smaller items. I use a gift drawer all year round to hold birthday and hostess gifts. Stick Post-it notes with the recipient’s name on each item, especially if you have another person helping you wrap and label presents. 

Speaking of gift wrap, remember that gift bags require less effort and you can stock up on a variety of sizes at your local dollar store. Choosing colors like white, gold, and silver can make the bags work for multiple occasions. 

For Smooth Scheduling 

Remember to add events to your calendar as soon as you learn of them to avoid double-booking or overextending yourself. If you stress over saying no to invitations, having a positive reply ready might help.  

Example: “I’m so sorry we can’t make it, but let’s get together in the New Year to catch up. I’m setting a reminder to schedule something with you in January.” 

Remember Your “Why” 

Sometimes in the rush of getting through the holidays, we neglect to check in with ourselves and make sure we enjoy special moments throughout the season. Before you commit to something, ask yourself, “Will this feed my soul?” Traditions can become burdens when the spirit behind them fades and is replaced with a feeling of obligation. Are you doing things out of reflex? What will make the memories that truly matter to you?  

With that, I wish you all a joyful holiday season! Share your own secrets to simplifying the holidays in the comments below. 

Already feeling the holiday jitters? Find local, nonjudgmental help with one of NAPO’s productivity and organizing pros: https://www.napo.net/page/pro-directory  

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Meet the author, Michelle Zorbas, CPO®, CWC