Anyone heard of/follow Organized Christmas

[Noodlebrains]

Spelling not mine - it's an American site.

There's a few different plans but the general idea is you start on 28th August and do a few household things and a few Christmas things each week.

So de-clutter living room and write Christmas card list (although a bit more involved than that)

I like the idea as I'm due 22nd December and have a 3 year old so want to be slightly prepared and not running round last minute.

Anyone else interested? We could have a support group!

DH is sick and I've been out with DD for most of the day so I haven't had a chance to check in myself. Will try and get back tomorrow.

Do the weeks start on a Sunday then? I'm still trying to borrow a shredder so can get rid of my paper mountain!

What is for week 2? I've lost my link

Week 2 is calendar and creativity. So it's about sorting out the crafting corner and supplies, setting up a holiday diary, and starting to plan events and book appointments (like hairdresser or beautician for December spots which can get booked up fast!). Start ideas files for presents. Make a shopping list and review the "master gift list".

Don't panic about the plans though. They are supposed to give you a hand to get ahead. So every little step you take is a bonus come December. You may not necessarily want to do everything on the plans because - say your family doesn't send cards, or you don't host anyone so don't need massive extra supplies or massive cleaning to be done for guests. And you don't have to follow them slavishly even if you do have the full-on Christmas to plan for - you can get it all done in a hurry in 2-3 days in late December if you need to, it's just about getting organized and getting ahead if you can.

Not everyone is in to crafting - so there may not BE a crafting corner to organize.

Starting the diary can be as simple as thinking ahead to things you want to do and ringing the important service providers.

Some weeks you get loads done and maybe even a few things from future weeks. Other weeks, either by design or just life throwing a spanner in the works, you get nothing done or even slide backwards. If you know ahead of time that there are certain weeks that will be less pressured, you can build in extra bits those weeks. And if you know ahead of time that other weeks will be chaos, accept that and decide you won't do as much as planned on Christmas as you focus on what is more immediate.

Every year since I started the plans, I have loads left undone. But every year, they have helped me get ahead enough, and do extra "housekeeping" and household management jobs that can slip by, that it's worth it to me. But I did learn to let go of the stress of "I have to do this job this week because the Plan tells me I must" the year that DD was coming up on being 1 and I was doing a FT Masters which needed 3,000 word essays every 2 weeks and exams 10 days before Christmas!

If you have a paper mountain, can you put it in a bag or a box to one side, so that it is out of the way while the shredder is en route, but yet all in 1 place for disposal? That way, if the shredder doesn't arrive, you have a bag of paper for starting fires or to just rip up one frustrated day for the recycling bin?! But if it is in 1 single place, then you can mostly ignore it while getting on with the next steps you are taking in your personal plan.

I'm already deviating slightly. I sat down yesterday and made a list of all the hot-spots that need de-cluttering. Just the little places where stuff that doesn't have a permanent home gathers or where stuff just gets cluttered and dis-organised.

Sorted one yesterday (the kitchen drawer where stuff just ends up) and another one today (area at the end of DDs bed). They're small so don't take long but it makes a difference.

Marking my place too

I think I will be permanently a week behind as Sunday seems to be my day for doing stuff..sorted out my craft file of papers and ribbons Etc..have not got a corner or anything also sorted out my wrapping paper and took stock..should only need two really nice roles. Still to do lists..but got my planner out now. I feel like I should do something else houseworkyy so may go round decluttering the bathrooms of half empty hardly used bottles

I haven't managed to get much done since the start of September due to school and other activities re-starting. But I have a chance tonight and tomorrow evening to get back onto it. So the weekly focus on the master bedroom, especially with DH away for 2 nights, should be a good one.

The 101 days to Christmas emails will start going out tomorrow if people want to do it that way. There are links on the Organized Home site.

I've started the home and holidays, so am trying to whizz through the first three weeks this week. I've sorted out the desk and paperwork already and will be doing my bedroom on Thursdsy, and then sorting the art and craft stuff at the weekend.