Are you going to be naughty this year?
Or nice?
Wish on stars instead.
Let’s just imagine turning the giving tradition on its head. Buying less is actually giving more.
Black Friday, Cyber Monday and infinite, enticing seasonal sales give us even more incentive and consumer adrenalin to get us to buy and feel legitimized, righteous even, about it. After all, we’re getting a good deal on items, large and small, right?
So, you feel smart, strategic, virtuous or thoughtful when purchasing such items as holiday gifts for others. And ourselves. Well…I like deals as much as anyone and I did succumb to surfing the web see what was out there. For many of us, the weekly door busters, “free” shipping, black hole of internet shopping and beautiful shop windows are just too hard to resist.
This primal pull, like gravity, is just too strong, and we end up capitulating to low prices on things we wouldn’t otherwise buy. It’s no wonder our closets are a mess and we can’t find where we put that latest must have gadget we just bought!
Like not filling the pantry with junk food when we’re on a diet, if you’re serious about streamlining your living space and dispensing with things you don’t need or no longer want, stay away from the malls, the email ads, and BOGO specials whose aims are to convince you that or that we should take a bah-humbug approach to the holiday season. Not by any stretch! However, do choose wisely and think about need versus want, a place for your item to “live” versus too much to fit.
First, each time you buy one item for yourself or others this season, why not donate two similar items you no longer need to a charity or family in need. Not only will you be helping others in the true holiday spirit of giving, but you’ll be taking a solid step towards getting organized. [This actually works really well with kids. I find when they put their mind to it they get great pleasure from giving their outgrown treasures to other children!] Second, watch out for the false promises that make you believe that purchasing the item will make your life better or more organized.
For instance, I spotted an ad from a prominent kitchen/housewares company that said something like “7 Must Haves for an Organized Kitchen.” If only it were that easy! Meaningful organization takes planning, effort and commitment. It’s hard work. Buying “organizing” kitchen items isn’t a magic bullet. Be careful not to confuse buying these kinds of items with the actual process of achieving order and organization. These items purport to be the answer to our disorganization, but without a real plan to do the work, you’ll be disappointed.
Third, don’t rule out using professional organizers if you’re feeling overwhelmed before, during or after the holiday chaos. We offer special deals during the holidays too! Our day job is to bring order to disorder. We can help you sort through the “mountain” of stuff in your house and help make “home for the holidays” less stressful and more comfortable for you, your family and guests.
Many of us worry about overindulging during the holidays. That can mean never meeting a cookie we didn’t like, or stalking the proverbial sales like there’s no tomorrow. It’s a time when even the most organized of us can fall into the trap of buying more than we need or have room for in our home, office or garage. Not to be preachy, but ask yourself, if I had to evacuate my home in 20 minutes, would I really grab my new handheld vac or crockpot? Doubt it.
Yes, buy things and gifts thoughtfully, but keep tabs on what you’re getting for your money and remember that the next holiday, and the next sale is just around the corner. So keep your wits about you, take steps, even small ones, to get organized. Ultimately, you will enjoy the holidays more and get a fresh start on the New Year.