Stress Free Holiday Entertaining!

The holiday’s are upon us and to insure an enjoyable time, follow the tips below.

November Tips:
• Plan ahead. A few organizing steps now, can save you stress, time and money when the holidays actually arrive. For example, if your sending Holiday cards, is your card list up to date? If you are including a photo, have you taken or chosen a picture yet?
• Have you made this year’s lists? Gift list? Teacher appreciations? Entertaining list(s), see below.
• If entertaining, consider your date, create a guest list and menus now, and you will give yourself more time for the details. (What serving dishes & utensils will be used. What about table decorations? Menu prep time line. Ex. Make salad at 3pm, rolls in oven at 5:45pm, etc. Will you need to rearrange furniture for guests and food tables.)
• Save money. Create or have a budget in mind so you can stay within it.
• Save time. Shop on line, when possible or check department store websites. Try shopping at one store to get as many gifts as possible. Many stores will match website prices.
• Make a list of gifts you have received and who gave them to you. Sometimes it may be OK to re-gift if you know for sure who gave it to you. Be sure to keep the name of the person who gave it to you and keep it with the gift.
• Make a wrapping station: Some items to include are wrapping paper, ribbon, bows, tape, scissors, to/from tags, boxes, gift bags, etc.
• Create a Holiday Binder that can be updated from year to year. This could include gift lists, gift ideas, holiday card info, previous holiday recipes, menus served at parties and what items were most popular, gift receipts, on-line ordering info, and more.

If you still feel overwhelmed or would like assistance, we can help with the following:
- Unpacking & setting up holiday decorations
- Holiday party preparations
- Organize all areas of home for ease of entertaining and cooking
- Create a wrapping station
- Home staging-arrange furniture for optimal conversation and flow of parties
- Organize and pack up holiday decorations

NOT SURE WHERE TO START? TRY A FREE CONSULTATION.
If you would like to find out how organizing and Feng Shui can help you, contact Melanie Stokes at 502.417.7123 and schedule a FREE 30 minute phone session to evaluate your needs and to see how we can help you.