If you've been following this series for the last 6 weeks, you're hopefully well prepared for Christmas! Or at least better prepared than you would have been if you hadn't followed some of my organizing tips :)
Today, I want to share a few last-minute ideas to help you enjoy your holidays.
1. If your "to-do list" for today is too long, prioritize the things you NEED to do and get them done first
Let's face it, there are only 24 hours in a day. Even on Christmas Eve. Maybe especially on Christmas Eve. If you know you won't be able to do everything on your list, then take a few minutes right now and figure out what you really need to do. Then scratch everything else off your list.
Maybe you wanted to bake a few more recipes, but you really need to wrap gifts for Christmas morning instead. Unless your baked goods are going to be the only thing being served, let the baking go and focus on wrapping your gifts.
If you wanted to make some cute crafty labels and hand-made bows for your gifts, but you need to assemble a train set for a Santa gift, stick on a store-bought bow and a peel-n-stick label, and get that train set put together.
Today is not the day to try to have a Pinterest Christmas. Keep things simple. Focus on what's important.
Priorities. They will be different for everyone. But make sure you do the most important things for you and your family before you spend time on anything you would "like" to do instead.
2. Breathe!
If you're running around like a crazy person trying to finish everything, you'll end up forgetting things, or making mistakes, which can set you further behind. Or you can get frustrated easily with your family. People are more important than things or traditions. Do what you need to do to stay calm and enjoy the people around you.
Take a short nap. Have a cup of hot chocolate. Sing a few Christmas carols. Think about some of your favourite holiday traditions. A short mental health break can actually help you be more productive and enjoy your last-minute preparations with those around you.
{I'm writing this as much to myself as anything... I may have lost my patience once or twice in the last few days with my kids and hubby. I realized I needed to step back and breathe for a minute. Or 15. A cup of tea and a few deep breaths helped. Today I'm going to breathe more so I hopefully have a fun day with my family.}
Update: My friend Kelly from A Lovely Life Indeed posted this beautiful quote on her blog today and I asked her if I could share it with you because it fits so perfectly. Thanks Kelly!
3. As you finish your most important tasks, remember why you're doing what you're doing and who you're doing it for
Instead of looking at your to-do list as a bunch of chores to get through, focus on the love that you have for the people you're celebrating with. It helps you enjoy the process more and you'll feel energized instead of drained.
I've been trying to do this with my kids the last few days. It helps me as much as it helps them to think about others instead of ourselves. We've been talking a lot about hospitality and serving others.
So as we bake, we're thinking about the people who will be eating the yummy things we make, and how those treats will help them enjoy their Christmas, because they know we made everything for them.
As we wrap the gifts we've chosen, we talk about how much the recipient will enjoy that gift or how surprised they will be when they open it.
Even as we cleaned our home the other day before we had our families over for my birthday, we talked about how we wanted our guests to feel comfortable in our home, And how having a couch without cat hair on it, or a hallway without shoes piled up, or a toilet without pee on the rim, would all contribute to a more enjoyable time together. That conversation may need to be repeated a few times but it was a start :)
Whatever your beliefs about Christmas, it's a time of love, joy, and peace. Help spread those qualities in your home and family, through everything you do as you prepare for and celebrate together!
4. Get a good night's sleep!
The best way to really enjoy your Christmas is to get a good sleep tonight. All your hard work the last few weeks has paid off and you are as organized and prepared as you'll ever be. So celebrate by sleeping. If you've got young kids you know they'll wake you up early enough in the morning! Being well rested will help you execute everything you've planned ahead of time. And that way you can enjoy your day with your family and friends!
You've seen this quote throughout this series, but I really believe it's true. Now is the time to enjoy the fruits of your labour!
What are you doing to prepare for Christmas today? What are you doing to enjoy the holidays with your friends and family? Do you have any last-minute tips to add?
Happy organizing!
Here are all the posts in the 12 Days of Being Organized for the Holidays series!
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