Now that we’ve welcomed in a brand New Year, lets take a few minutes to wrap up the season so you’ll be on your game when the holidays sneak up on you next year.
Tip #1: Organize Your Warranties
If you or anyone in your family received electronics, gadgets, or any other gift that comes with a warranty, take some time now to complete all the necessary paperwork (most can be done online).
Make sure to create files for these items, so if you do encounter any technical difficulties or malfunctioning equipment in future, everything will already be registered. You will avoid the hassle of searching high and low for receipts, warranty cards, and other paperwork.
Tip #2: Make a Plan for Next Year's Decorations
Before packing up all of your holiday ornaments and decorations, take the time to sort through and discard broken or unwanted items.
The time you invest now will simplify your holiday decorating next year and you'll have a better idea of what items you'll need to buy. Shopping the after-holiday sales is a smart and affordable way to get some great deals on next year's decor.
Tip #3: Keep a Holiday Journal
In your journal, note things such as the cookie recipe that was a big hit, a list of people you want to add to your holiday card list, and any new traditions that you might like to start. For example, instead of scrambling to send out holiday cards before December 25, you can take a photo of your family in front of the tree on Christmas Day and have New Year’s cards made up instead.
See also: Your Fall/Winter Home Maintenance Checklist
Make sure to include notes about the things that didn’t work so well this season. Maybe making a gingerbread house from scratch was a bit too much. Put that into your journal so that next year, you buy a pre-fabricated one that your family can enjoy decorating.
Tip #4: Schedule Family Time Now
Grab your calendar and schedule family time for the holidays in 2015 now. Set aside a few days in December for fun holiday activities—taking in all the pretty holiday light displays, hosting a cookie swap, making snowflakes to hang in your windows, or donating time to a local food pantry or animal shelter. Don’t forget the family Holiday Movie Night.
Carve out the time now so that when the holidays approach next year, you’ll already have important family time set aside before you get too busy.
Tip #5: Keep it Pinteresting
Take advantage of Pinterest for decorating, baking, and gift-giving ideas for next year. Pinterest is a great tool for helping you keep track of cool ideas for decking the halls in your home, for trying out tasty new recipes, and for keeping track of all those awesome gifts.
Create holiday boards now and add to them throughout the year. By the time the holidays roll around again, you’ll have lots of ideas ready.
Now that this wonderful (and wonderfully stressful) time of the year is over, take these simple 5 steps to stay organized and set yourself up for success next season.
Do you have any other tips to stay organized and help prepare for the holidays next year? Let us know in the comments section below or on the Mighty Mommy Facebook page.
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