Want to simplify the season?

by | Dec 14, 2017

Ready to simplify the season? 

Friends, I am here to tell you that the holidays don’t have to be hell. Make your To Do list, check it twice… and then, CUT IT IN HALF! 

The same applies to your Wish List – and recite the overused but nevertheless valid mantra: less really, truly IS more. Especially in this season of excess. Excess stress. Alcohol overload. Spending sprees. Waaaay too much food. And worst of all, too many expectations – self-imposed and externally “mandated” by tradition, competition, consumer culture. Time to simplify!

I am a professional organizer. Every day I see the results of overspending, overconsumption, mental overload, and the cumulative effect of gifts, good intentions,  DIY projects, decisions deferred, all piled up in spare bedrooms, garages, and absurdly overstuffed closets. And yet at this time of year, we get caught up in the frenzy, and before we know it, we have given and received ever MORE STUFF — that we don’t need, don’t have room for, and may not even want.  

So, I am not here to steal your stocking stuffing joy or deprive anyone’s child of a magical Christmas morning or Chanukah eve. No. Giving gifts is a gift in itself – sharing love and joy with those we care deeply about, and perhaps those we don’t even know but want to help have a happy holiday, too. 

Since so many non-profits, charities and service organizations are making their appeals for your support, I will use this little nook of the Internet to take a different tack and give you some ideas for gifts that will do good for those on your list, fit any budget, and be appropriate for any age recipient.

These gift ideas are meant to inspire individual “aspirations.” Choosing the right one to give friends, family, or co-workers is really a gift worth giving – because each offers an easy way for the recipient to up their game, take better care of themselves, be more organized, or even, in the case of an unexpected emergency – save a life. 

No matter where you live, what holidays you celebrate, or even who you voted for – these gift ideas are clever, affordable, attractive, simple, sustainable, and do good things that make life easier and organized. And remember, please, whatever you think you HAVE TO DO THIS HOLIDAY SEASON – cross half of those things off the list – and enjoy your holidays TWICE AS MUCH this year. 

With love and wishes for your best holiday and most organized new year ever! 

BE PREPARED…for anything

2017 has been the year of natural disasters, and should have brought home to each of us the need to get our act together in case we were ever in the path of a flood, fire, or terrorist attack. Yet FEMA research says fewer than HALF of US households have a disaster plan OR adequate disaster supplies in place. Yikes. So, a word of warning and encouragement: go to https://www.ready.gov/make–a–plan to get up to speed – then put these items on your Wish List and in someone else’s stocking this year.  

GET ORGANIZED…with ease

So many ways to simplify life…beautifully. It is wonderful to find organizing and storage solutions that are aesthetically pleasing and highly functional. Here are just a few gift ideas that give a lot of bang for the buck. Want to hire or give an organizing elf for the holiday? Consider a FREESPACES’ Gift Certificate – I do virtual organizing and will travel too! 

HAPPY HEALTHY HOMES…breathe.

Regardless of one’s design aesthetic or clutter quotient, here are a few gift suggestions that adhere to feng shui principles to maximize the health, happiness and energy flow of the home and garden – a wonderful way to ring in the new year with not just good tidings but good “chi” too. 

TAME TECHNOLOGY…before it comes back to bite! 

Who among us manages to keep up with all our cords, chargers, digital identity or even those dang remotes. Here are just a few fun tech accessories and hacks that can help everyone from the teen to the grandparent in your life feel more in control. Tip: when buying any of these items, buy a few extras – they really do make great, affordable and utilitarian presents you never have to feel guilty about giving. 

Remember folks, life is to be lived. That’s why simplifying life and getting organized matters. When you and your loved ones don’t have to use precious time, energy and mental bandwidth looking for things, living with obstacles in their path, or missing out on simple ways to harness good juju in their space – there will be more good stuff to enjoy and share each day. 

Happy happy holidays. And, hey — Let’s get organized.