So Very MerryWell the big day has come and gone and the Nike’s have been put to rest until next year. And what a day it was. I was surrounded with loved ones almost the whole weekend and had such a wonderful holiday. There was food galore, presents abounding and smiles were overflowing. Terry and Allie made this day extra special, as usual, it was once again all about giving. They made the day truly special. My MOD family also made this Christmas one to remember. Unbeknown to me, they planned and schemed and secretly arranged for a private photo shoot in our studio. They brought in a holiday backdrop and sore matching outfits. All the “kids” were in on it, even Mr. O, and they did a great job of doing all this without drawing any attention to the fact that everyone mysteriously disappeared from the MOD at the same time. Needless to say, their thoughtfulness and big hearts ended up being one of the best gifts I received. After the photo shoot, they picked the best picture and framed it for me. They even took a few goofy pictures and made a small photo album that I can keep at home or in the office. It truly was a special holiday and a great way to end 2008 and bring in 2009!
Happy Organizing! - Mrs. O
10, 9, 8…1 More Day Til ChristmasThe last tip I would like to give to help get organized for Christmas is the most important. Remember to give back to those less fortunate than us by clearing out the old and making room for the new. The holiday season is a special time to take care of those that need it and to show thanks for all we have by doing for others. So whether you want to clean out the hall closet or ransack the kids’ rooms and make way for all the new gifts from Santa, donate to the people in your community by going to a homeless shelter, local church or organization that helps those in need. At this most special time of the year, I would like to wish all of you the happiest of holidays and a wonderful New Year. Thanks to my entire team for all that you do. I appreciate each and everyone of you more than you know. So to Allie, Belinda, Kristi, Melinda, Mikey, Mysti, Phil and Kevin too – Merry Christmas to all! -Mrs. O Follow me on Twitter: http://twitter.com/mrsorganized
11 Days Til ChristmasTip #15: Green Your Christmas! -When picking candles for gifts or for decoration, go for soy candles. Most are guaranteed to be safe and are made with natural oils that make them biodegradable. You can reuse the jar for a vase, arts & crafts or storage. -Go for fresh wreaths, plants and flowers to keep your home festive and smelling great. -Use LED lights and bulbs. They last longer and use less electricity than incandescent lights. -When picking your holiday cards, look for recycled cards. -When cleaning up after your parties and house guests have left, use non-toxic and biodegradable cleaners. -And lastly, don’t forget your reusable shopping totes when doing your last minute shopping and try to use reusable gift bags when wrapping presents. Happy Organizing! - Mrs. O Follow me on Twitter: http://twitter.com/mrsorganized
12 Days Til ChristmasTip #14: Party Planning! Now that we’ve covered how to organize and plan your decorations for this season’s shin-digs, here are some planning tips from iVillage.com to get you in the mood to celebrate. Pick your party dates early: The premium weekend dates get booked fast. Consider having a party between Christmas and New Year’s when schedules are lighter. I’m having a Boxing Day party on December 26 this year! Don’t have a Rolodex party: That’s where you call everyone in your address book just to get your entertaining obligations done for another year. I prefer a few smaller, easier-to-manage parties with close friends who know each other to a huge bash where I spend a lot of time introducing strangers to each other. Create a “do-able” menu: Choose some recipes that benefit from being made ahead—marinated vegetable salads, gingerbread, dips, cheese balls and trifle are just a few suggestions. Don’t make too many new recipes, or you may get overwhelmed. People love old favorites: I rarely bake a ham throughout the year, but I love serving it on my holiday buffet. To make it extra special, serve it with homemade mustard and mayonnaise and fresh-baked rolls. Along with roasted turkey, it’s an easy and delicious way to feed a crowd. Make desserts that can be eaten out of hand: To cut down on the dishes you’ll have to wash, serve sweets that can be eaten with from napkin, such as spice cakes and (of course) cookies. Or make candies like homemade fudge, rocky road or candied walnuts. A coffee bar is a simple but elegant touch: Along with hot coffee, offer a bowl of whipped cream and an assortment of liqueurs (Kahlua, brandy, rum and whiskey) so guests can create their own coffee drinks. Set the mood with videos: In your TV room, play Christmas movie favorites like A Christmas Story, Miracle on 34th Street, and A Christmas Carol. If you play It’s a Wonderful Life, have Kleenex handy. Mouthwatering kitchen aromas make happy guests: If you make things too far ahead, your guests will miss out on some wonderful kitchen smells—and we all know what it is like when you walk into a house that is redolent of roast turkey or gingerbread. If necessary, burn spice scented candles or simmer cinnamon sticks, allspice and cloves in a pot of water. Happy Organizing! - Mrs. O Follow me on Twitter: http://twitter.com/mrsorganized
13 Days Until ChristmasTip #13: Our friends at momAgenda have put together 10 holiday organizing tips of their own to get you ready for the hustle and bustle. Read below to see what Nina Restieri, President of momAgenda, has to share about how to save your sanity and have a jubilant season. 1.   Make A List! 2.   The Internet is Your Friend! 3.    Make It Meaningful! 4.   Think in Multiples! 5.   Keep it Convenient with Gift Cards! 6.    Say It With Music! 6.   Read Magazines! 7.   Simplify! 8.   Don’t Forget Your Dear Husband/Partner! 9.   Don’t Forget to Take Care of You! 10.   Give back! I would like to thank Nina for sharing her sanity-savers and reminding us that it is not always the size or dollar amount that matters this time of year, but the sentiment and heart that goes into what we do. Happy Organizing! - Mrs. O Follow me on Twitter: http://twitter.com/mrsorganized
14 Days Til ChristmasTip #12: Give the Gift of Organization. There is always at least one person on your shopping list that falls under the category of “they have everything” and you stress and panic about what to get them. Well fear no more. Even the most organized person will use and appreciate more tools and goodies to get them in order. An Organize.com gift card is the perfect way to spread the holiday cheer and help get others organized for 2009. My Favorite Thing: The Christmas with Paula Deen cookbook. I had such a pleasure meeting her in the springtime and am very happy to share her recipes and family traditions with ya’ll.
Happy Organizing! -Mrs. O
15 Days Til ChristmasTip # 11: Prepare the decorations for your parties. When guests start to arrive for the holiday fun, it is usually around dusk. This makes for the perfect opportunity to give a great first impression with your decorations. Don’t be overwhelming, but get do creative with the lights. And if you have a fireplace mantle, take advantage of it. In the nighttime the dancing glow of lights strewn in the room adds a whimsical touch. Votive candles will finish off the winter wonderland effect and create a warm and inviting atmosphere. Garland and wreaths are always a classic touch and you can never go wrong with apothecary jars filled with candy and treats. If you are having a dinner party, it doesn’t take much to dazzle your guests. Colorful plates, sparkling glass and fresh flowers can make a festive holiday table. Decorate without being overwhelming and make sure your decorations match the decor of the room or house. And don’t forget the kid-friendly room. My Favorite Thing: Nothing says thank you like a handmade card…even if you’re not the one who made it. The Thank You Merry Much Cards by Truly Mom are perfect for acknowledging loved ones for their thoughtfulness. The adorable artwork and gift wrapped box with red ribbon and jungle bells make these cards a gift in itself.
Happy Organizing! - Mrs. O
16 Days Til ChristmasTip #10: Have extra gifts. We sometimes have last minute guests that join us for holiday festivities. Have a few unisex gifts wrapped and ready to go for unexpected guests. A few ideas would be Holiday Henry, chocolates from Cocoa Room, a DVD/CD holder or a travel coffee mug. When doing your holiday shopping, make sure to add these gifts to your list and check it twice to make sure you didn’t leave anyone off. My Favorite Thing: The Mary Jane Patent Leather Planner from Truly Mom. It is truly stylish inside and out and acts as a portable desk on the go. Not only is it one useful fashion accessory, it will help get you organized for 2009!
Happy Organizing! - Mrs. O
17 Days Til ChristmasTip # 9: Get Organized for Holiday Baking! I usually make a list of all the cookies and treats I’ll be baking this year. From that list comes a new list of all the items that I’ll need from the grocery store. I also take inventory of ingredients that I don’t use very often. You never want to get down to adding the almond extract and be out of it! My Favorite Thing: While making the list of all the ingredients needed to make my favorite holiday goodies, I also take account of what’s need for Christmas dinner. The “All Out Of” notepad from Knock Knock is the perfect tool to stay organized.
Happy Organizing! - Mrs. O
18 Days Til ChristmasThere are only 2 weeks left before Christmas and there is still plenty to do. Tip #8: Gear up for guests. Whether it be for the length of the holiday or just the weekend, be sure to set aside time to clean and clear away the clutter before guests arrive. Other than your normal cleaning routine, don’t forget to make space in the closet for coats, scarves and hats and get the guest bathroom ready with clean towels, plenty of paper products and a great holiday scented candle. Little touches like sample-size toiletries and a special basket with a personalized greeting leave your guests feeling like VIP. My Favorite Thing: Engraved Old-Fashioned Glasses by Cathy’s Concepts. Perfect for any gift, these glasses are thick at the bottom and just what Mr. O likes.
Happy Organizing! - Mrs. O
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