Creating Holiday Space

Give yourself permission to create a ‘Gift Closet’ and let it be your grab bag of goodies for all holidays or celebrations. Depending on the size of this space, allow a shelf for wrapping supplies. To simplify your wrapping chaos, pick a single color scheme for all gift-giving occasions. How unique your gifts will be when someone receives a present wrapped in your "signature" style. And, with the holidays fast approaching, consider buying some small generic gifts such as coffee mugs (great for giving gourmet coffee or tea), candles (always a soothing gift), a magazine subscription (for the wildlife enthusiast or craft-maker), note cards and stamps (how often have you needed a stamp or had to send a ‘thank you’ note), or some simple children’s gifts. What you create is an inventory for any last-minute gift situations.

Donating your clutter gives to those not as blessed as you; preparing ahead with a ‘signature’ wrapping style and easy gift ideas is a simple and more personalized giving and far more impacting than buying that ‘hot’ item and latest wrapping paper.

The Notebook. I’m not referring to Nicholas Spark’s wonderful story; I’m talking about a holiday inventory. Think about it. You take a binder and divide it into sections with tabs. Make a section of successful holiday or seasonal recipes—that green bean casserole or lemon poppy seed bread. Keep an inventory of cards. If you have an address book, simplify the greeting card season by putting those you have received cards from or those you will always want to remember with good wishes. If you don’t want a notebook (in a binder), create one on your computer. It is easier to update and if you need a recipe or address, simply click and print. Granted, establishing a notebook requires some time, but whatever the format, enjoy the simplicity of a complete holiday guide.

Traditions that work. Do you find yourself simply going through the motions of things you’ve always done? Could you taper some for better use of time, space and energy? This is a tough one, my friends. Traditions diehard and I believe in them as well. However, what is most imperative? Baking with the family is a tradition, but must you make all the cookies? Establish a cookie swap. It makes for a fun afternoon for all involved and you relax knowing you only have to bake one or two types of yummies and you reap from those who made the others! If you have young ones, evaluate what to establish as your traditions. Make it simple so you have more time to enjoy, not live in Target. If you have a non-traditional family, often splitting holiday time between homes, re-evaluate what works. As a single mom, my daughter and I established a unique way to celebrate. First, we choose a country (http://www.springfieldlibrary.org/hols/holiday.html is a good site). After a bit of research we select a recipe or two, find some music and experience a tradition unique to our chosen nationality. Granted, we spend "traditional" time with family (who can pass up Nana’s Christmas brunch!), but our celebration takes on new meaning and anything we bought to celebrate is donated to day cares and other places where crafts are a big activity.

Organizing your time and space and re-evaluating possibly worn traditions will be a positive cleansing. Take this season of celebration to refresh. Most of all? Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy. Regardless of what you celebrate in your home, simplify the set-up. Bliss your House this season and free up space and time for years of holidays to come.

Karen A. Joseph is a resident of Daniel Island and owner of Ordered Bliss, a professional organizing company. For more information call Karen @843-345-5696 or e-mail @ blisswriter@hometelecom.com.