Quick List: Wrapping

 

In case you’re in the mood for more than brown paper packages tied up with strings:

Wrapping Paper

Gift Bags

Tissue

Tape

Ribbon/Bows

Scissors

Pen/Marker

Labels/Gift Tags

Flat surface

Gifts!!!

(We’re getting ready to wrap!  Gather your materials and stay tuned!!)

If you are in the Jacksonville/St. Johns area and would like your home better organized (or you want some help Simplifying YOUR Season), and would like the assistance of a professional organizer, e-mail juliebavi@gmail.com  You can also find me on Facebook by clicking HERE or by searching for Organize With Julie.  Stalk me on twitter @juliebavi.

Technorati Tags: Christmas,Wrapping,Gifts,Simplify the Season,Organizing,Love,Family,Ho Ho Ho!

Simplify the Gift Wrapping

Veni. Vidi. Visa.

We came.
We saw.
We did a little shopping.

How do you get all the gifts wrapped and keep it simple? Set up a gift wrap central if you have the space(and for some of these ideas, they will work in just about any space). Whether it is your dining table, spare bedroom, rolling cart, closet, under bed box, folding camp table, open floor space, Big Orange 5 Gal bucket- get all of your wrap, bags, tissue, ribbons and bows into one space. This will make it easier to wrap gifts quickly, say --- during nap time or Sesame Street? My personal choice is thick under the bed type bins that house my gift wrap and ribbons. I am able to balance them across adjacent dining chairs as I carefully wrap all the gifts upon my dining table.  I keep extra supplies (like scissors and scotch tape) in the gift wrap bin year round.  The best tip I can offer you is to make your gift wrap central PORTABLE. 

After gifts are wrapped you will need a place to stash them. Those needing hand delivery (like teacher gifts) can go into a box/bin in the car – if you have chocolates in there and it is going to be some time before they are delivered, you may need to find a cool dry storage place out of the way in the air conditioning – linen closet or laundry room… or maybe just in the corner BEHIND the tree. Just keep those “gifts on the go” separate from all of the other under the tree gifts… just don’t forget where you have hidden them. If you are likely to forget where you stashed them, make a note in your phone/agenda/planner.

What’s a good way to keep nosy present peekers from spying on their gifts?  Don’t tag them. 

#1 Choose one wrap for each person.  For example, all of Little Tommy’s gifts are in Silver themed paper and all of Little Sara’s gifts are in Red themed paper.  I have used this method for separating “gifts to go” and “gifts that stay” also.  No gift left behind!!!
#2 Choose one tag type or each person and leave the tag blank.  For example, all of little Tommy’s gift tags are Snowmen and all of Little Sara’s gift tags are Santa.
Make a note of what wrap or tag theme you are using for each person in a special private spot (like your planner) if you have a tendency to have memory lapses (like I do!).  It’s not as much fun to peek at someone else’s gifts as it is to spy your own.

If you are in the Jacksonville/St. Johns area and would like your home better organized (or you want some help Simplifying YOUR Season), and would like the assistance of a professional organizer, e-mail juliebavi@gmail.com  You can also find me on Facebook by clicking HERE or by searching for Organize With Julie.  Stalk me on twitter @juliebavi.

Technorati Tags: Simplify the Season,Organized,Gift Wrap,Holidays,Christmas,Wrapping,nosy present peeker

Simplify the Pictures AND Simplify the Cards

It’s the first week of December!  Would you like to be able to Simplify the Seasonal Portraits? Schedule the Christmas portraits and Address the Christmas Card Envelopes early. Early, as in, the first week of December (aka NOW!). It is ok if you “cheat” and have photo cards made which come with envelopes so that you don’t have to buy actual Christmas cards -- in that case, just make a list of card recipients.  You can go one step further and make labels if you're super savvy.  (Note:  If you are planning to write a Christmas Letter, or using specialty photo cards, keep that in mind for addressing envelopes.  You will not need card shaped envelopes.  You will need letter sized envelopes.  Wallet-sized photos will still fit nicely into letter sized envelopes.) 

I have actually found an online service that allows me to upload my own pictures to create original cards; upload my contacts; and send them all with a few clicks right from my computer!  It works great for me because there is less running around to the post office and to shops, and there are always enough cards to go around.

If you are a Christmas letter writer, get started!  December is upon us! 

If you are in the Jacksonville/St. Johns area and would like your home better organized (or you want some help Simplifying YOUR Season), and would like the assistance of a professional organizer, e-mail juliebavi@gmail.com  You can also find me on Facebook by clicking HERE or by searching for Organize With Julie.  Stalk me on twitter @juliebavi.

Technorati Tags: Cards,Photos,Christmas,Holiday,Say Cheese,Simplify the Season,Organize,Family,Santa

Simplify the Shopping 2013

Now let’s talk about Christmas shopping!!!!!!!! Could shopping possibly be a part of a Simplified Season? You betcha!!! And who doesn’t love shopping? I don’t mean the “sharpen your elbows, Black Friday, 3am” kind of shopping. Although if anyone can turn shopping into a contact sport those ladies sure can! If you are out there this weekend, have a great time!!!

My favorite thing about Christmas shopping is finding that PERFECT gift. The gift that you know that the receiver will open and love.  It doesn’t have to cost a fortune.  It can be handmade. It can be extravagant.  It depends on your giving style AND the style of the one you are giving to.  Gifts should be a blessings.

FIRST - Make a list of everyone for whom you will need to buy gifts.  Include family, friends, neighbors, clients, your child's favorite playmate, service people (school teachers, nursery workers, massage therapist, babysitters, hair dresser, the staff members at an office you frequent regularly, postal worker, barista, whoever!).  Even if the gift is "just" a plate of cookies, jot the person down.  Great!  So, my stress free friend, just by making the list of recipients, you may even get some gift ideas.  Hooray for you!  With just a little advanced planning, you are well on your way to a stress free Christmas Celebration. Do you HAVE to give gifts to all these people? NO!  They are just some ideas of people in your life you may want to show appreciation to during this time of year.

SECOND-Think about that list of people you just made. Do you have to buy gifts for people whom you hardly know? Whether it is a brother-in-law or a boss, this can be a daunting task. What are their hobbies, and favorite sports teams?  How do they spend their time? 

There are several sites which offer GIFT FINDERS to help you narrow down a personality, generate ideas for a gift, even purchase the gift (amazon.com and gifts.com – just to name two).

Are you a parent or a grandparent (or an aunt) looking for toys for the tot in your life?  Try the search features on Amazon, Target, or ToysRUs websites for age appropriate toy ideas.

Still no luck finding the gift you seek?  Get a gift card.  Make it personal.  Think about the recipient's tastes on this one.  For example, if the recipient is a luddite, a gift card for an electronic or computer store is probably not the best idea; however a restaurant gift card for that uncle who enjoys fine dining - a gift card to you aunt’s favorite boutique - some movie passes for the college student – a Netflix subscription and a box of microwave popcorn for the new parents - and a bookstore gift card for the reader whose favorite author will be releasing a book past your holiday celebration deadline – all great ideas. Simple pairings make them personal by adding on some simple and inexpensive “tags” - a bag coffee candy (or bag of Starbucks truffles) with a Starbucks card, a bookmark with a book store card, a box of movie candy with the movie card. Now you’re thinking outside of the gift card envelope!!

One more shot… and it’s a good one! 

Think about giving “clutter free” gifts. Instead of just giving one more generic bath set -- know the giftee. Find out if they have a favorite brand or scent and go with that. Novel concept?  You betcha!  Have I stepped on any toes yet?  Probably.  Sorry, we’re simplifying!!!  

Think about giving gifts of FOOD.  If you know a person enjoys something in particular.  What a great way to make someone’s holiday breakfast more simple than an easy muffin mix!

Experiential gifts are also a great way to keep the clutter at bay.  For a child: Seasonal Zoo, Water Park, or Theme Park passes really go a long way.  Whether it’s a date for your spouse, or a special day out with your favorite kiddo, even a round of mini golf or a night of pizza and ice cream are a great gift to give.  They cost little, other than time.  They don’t add to the clutter in your home.  They help you create happy memories with someone you love and WANT to spend time with. 

As a family, we love to be generous and give to others, especially during the holidays. We try to Simplify our Season by only purchasing a few gifts for our child. There are things that we would rather spend DOING with him than GIFTING (plastic toys) to him. We usually choose a small gift and a large gift.  I also use this time to set up traditions. He gets an ornament every year and Christmas/winter themed pajamas. Those are more things that I want him to have than things he would choose, so I do not consider them gifts. We have Christmas pictures taken or I spend time with him taking shots at a special place. We usually chose a charity to give to - adopting an angel from the angel tree or filling a shoe box for Samaritan’s Purse.

I have a friend who gives their children each three gifts as a reminder of the three gifts of the magi.

When you are shopping, keep in mind that you are going to stay the course and have a Simplified Season.  Keep your list updated and keep it handy while you shop.  That’s right! Take it with you.  You’re making a list and checking it twice here!  That’s how it is going to stay simplified.

One final note on shopping. Let’s not forget about on-line shopping to save time and gas money. This is especially great if you can find FREE SHIPPING options. Some sites (like Wal-Mart) will even let you ship to the store nearest you for free.  Happy Cyber Deals, my friends!

If you are in the Jacksonville/St. Johns area and would like your home better organized (or you want some help Simplifying YOUR Season), and would like the assistance of a professional organizer, e-mail juliebavi@gmail.com  You can also find me on Facebook by clicking HERE or by searching for Organize With Julie.  Stalk me on twitter @juliebavi.

 

Technorati Tags: Give,Cheery,Gifts,Christmas,Holidays,Simplifythe Season 2013,Organized,Family,Shopping,Santa,Black Friday,Gift Finder

Simplify the Traditions 2013

As we inch towards Thanksgiving and continue to plan for Christmas, share with me:  What are some of your favorite Christmas time traditions?  Are there things you can remember doing as a child during the holidays that you would like to pass down to your own children?  Are there events in your area that you attend annually?  Maybe there are some Season Spectaculars that you have always wanted to experience, but never seem to make the time.  This is your year, my friend!

Our area boasts all sorts of local events from festivals to school plays.  Free school concerts to Symphony Pops at their finest.  Whether you and your family choose simply caroling in your neighborhood or the extravagance of going to the Nutcracker Ballet, make a plan!

First, list the events that are local to you that you/your family is interested in attending.  It may not be possible to do it all.  Pick and choose and save some events for next year.  If your area isn’t rich with local happenings to enrich your traditions, create some of your own. 

Trimming the tree
Holiday Baking
Caroling
Taking cookies to firemen, neighbors, shut-ins
Trips/Vacations
Hosting a Party

After listing your preferred events, do a little research.  Find out when, where, and how much it costs. 

After selecting the celebrations you wish to be a part of, go ahead and add these events to your calendar.  Make a plan to go. 

Have a Holly Jolly Time!

If you are in the Jacksonville/St. Johns area and would like your home better organized (or you want some help Simplifying YOUR Season), and would like the assistance of a professional organizer, e-mail juliebavi@gmail.com  You can also find me on Facebook by clicking HERE or by searching for Organize With Julie.  Stalk me on twitter @juliebavi.

Technorati Tags: Christmas,Thanksgiving,Holiday,Traditions,Organizing,Organize With Julie

Simplify Thanksgiving 2013

It is officially November!  Halloween is over.  Winter weather is going to be here any day now.  Santa has made his mall debut.  Thanksgiving is just about 2 weeks away.  What does all of this mean?  It’s time to prepare before the holidays sneak up on us.  It is time, my friends to – Simplify the Season 2013!

If you haven’t already, let's take care of Thanksgiving Meal Planning.  Which family member is hosting this year?  Are you having Lunch or Dinner?  If you're the hostess, make a list of dishes to be prepared.  Whether you decide on turkey or ham, pumpkin pie or pecan pie, mashed potatoes or rice, salads and veggies – Make sure to decide!  Make a plan and keep it Simple this Thanksgiving!  Have fun and dole out the responsibility!  That's right.  Let Aunt Emma make the sweet potatoes.  That not only frees you up from cooking an extra dish here and there -- let’s face it you can still cook your favorites -- it allows everyone to be a part of the celebration.  You may want to let the bachelor uncle stick with being the ICE BRINGER.  It is an important role. 

To keep track of all the planning make sure you have everything written down, budgeted, and everyone accounted for. 

If you have family coming in for the holiday the night before, would you like a great idea for what to feed these weary travelers? Wouldn’t you like it to be simple? How about an easy crock-pot stew, chili, or spaghetti?  It will stay warm if traffic or a flight causes a delay and won’t get soggy like a casserole may.

Keep these same things in mind when planning your Christmas dinner! Look at that! You just moved a month ahead of the game! Woo hoo!

If you are in the Jacksonville/St. Johns area and would like your home better organized, and would like the assistance of a professional organizer, e-mail juliebavi@gmail.com  You can also find me on Facebook by clicking HERE or by searching for Organize With Julie.  Stalk me on twitter @juliebavi.

Technorati Tags: Thanksgiving,Christmas,Simplify the Season,Organizing,Jacksonville

Simplify the Season 2013 has begun with a… BINDER!

You thought I was going to say “with a BANG” didn’t you?!

As we move toward our time to Simplify the Season 2013, I have been pouring over my notebook to guide us along.  There are SIX individualized sections in my notebook: TimeLine, Party Planning, Baking, Portraits/Cards, Wish Lists, List of ME TIME Activities, Family Traditions/Outings. 

TimeLine:  Contains monthly calendars of November-January.  I keep this separate from my planner because it contains ONLY my Simplify the Season plans.  These plans coincide with the weekly blogs you will read through the next few months.

Party Planning: Includes our plans for Thanksgiving Dinner through New Year’s Brunch and any party or family event that we host in between.  This includes guest lists, menus and “Who is Bringing What”.  (Perfect for that cookie decorating party with the little ones or a Mom’s Night In cookie exchange party.)

Baking: This is a great place to house your favorite Christmas goody recipes, the ones that are favorites year after year. 

In the past I had a Portraits/Cards section: This section holds my holiday cards, address book, and photos to insert into cards. (Stamps and a pen are housed in a pencil pouch in the front of my notebook.)  Also, if I receive a card for someone and have not previously known their address, I can Simply tear off their return address from their envelope and put it in this section to correspond with them at a later time. 
I now use an on-line service to send out my holiday cards.  I made the switch last year when I was so so ill for months.  I will continue to use the online service because it is so easy to make my own picture cards and send them directly from their site.  No more stamps, writing addresses out, or extra trips to the post office for me!  This has been a real time and sanity saver!
So this section still holds my list to update when I am away from my computer.  But other than that, it is becoming obsolete for me.  Still I know many of you cherish sending actual cards, so I didn’t want to do away with this section. 

Wish Lists: Every child’s favorite section! This section holds wish lists, budget, store locators, and “crafts for gifts” ideas.  I also keep an envelope marked “Christmas Receipts” in this section. 

List of ME TIME: so that I do not neglect myself during a busy holiday season, I keep a running list of ways to spend my precious alone time.  Watching campy holiday movies, getting a massage, treating my toes nicely, stopping by my favorite antique shops.  It is important to take care of ourselves during this busy, and sometimes stressful, time of year.

Outings/Traditions: Contains a list of area happenings that the family enjoys going to year after year – along with a list of new things we may want to try each year.  I have high hopes that one of these years, we will get to go on that scenic historic holiday trolley ride with hot cocoa!!! 

All wrapped up: This was just a plain green binder.  I recycled some old Christmas wrap that was past it’s prime, so that it would be a little more festive and gave my plain old binder a little bit of pizzazz. 

So there you have it: my Simplify the Season Binder has finally been revealed to you all.  Now let’s get ready to SIMPLIFY YOUR SEASON!

If you are in the Jacksonville/St. Johns area and would like your home better organized (and your season simplified!) and would like the assistance of a professional organizer, e-mail juliebavi@gmail.com  You can also find me on Facebook by clicking HERE or by searching for Organize With Julie.  Stalk me on twitter @juliebavi.

Are you getting ready?

... To Simplify YOUR Season?

The holidays are approaching.  
Stay tuned for how to stay ahead of the game.




If you are in the Jacksonville/St. Johns area and would like your home better organized, would like to keep your sanity during the holiday season, and would like the assistance of a professional organizer, e-mail juliebavi@gmail.com You can also find me on Facebook by clicking HERE or by searching for Organize With Julie. Stalk me on twitter @juliebavi.

Happy Mother’s Day – No I’m Not Late

Mother’s Day Schmother’s Day – That’s how I thought of our most recently celebrated holiday… until this past Sunday.  My son is 8 and this is the first Mother’s Day I have enjoyed.  It was nothing fancy – flower art project from school, hubby picking up grocery store bakery breakfast, and a day spent with my wonderful in-laws making memories – it was a great day!  This was a big change from my first Mother’s Day, 8 years ago, which had been a day that I was excitedly looking forward to experiencing.  However, it was excruciating to me.  As a mom of a 3 month old with a husband who worked until midnight and the additional heartache of being separated from my own Mom, it was not the fairy tale I had dreamed up.  

So for all of you Moms out there, I wish YOU a very happy Mother’s Day – today, tomorrow, and every day hereafter. 
From this day forth:
Know that you are appreciated by your little ones who don’t know that it’s supposed to be a special day all for mom. 
For the ones whose kiddos won’t stop arguing for a single moment any given day. 
For the ones who were dreaming of getting flowers and presents and breakfast in bed –
and instead woke up to a garden of weeds and a houseful to tend to. 
For those who have angel babies in heaven who couldn’t send them the words. 
Happy Mother’s Day to YOU… every day.

And for those of you whose husbands are not deployed, for the ones with men and kiddos who make the effort, and even succeed, with lavishing mom on this special day – know that you are especially blessed.  Happy Mother’s Day to you as well.

If you are in the Jacksonville/St. Johns area and would like your home better organized, and would like the assistance of a professional organizer, e-mail juliebavi@gmail.com You can also find me on Facebook by clicking HERE or by searching for Organize With Julie. Stalk me on twitter @juliebavi.

Technorati Tags: Mom,organizing,we care,the stuff of life

Warning: FUN weekend ahead!

What an exciting weekend ahead for us here at Organize With Julie! 

On Saturday evening we are honored to present a bucket of fun organizing supplies and services at the 1st ever Keystone Academy "Cocktails for Keystone" Gala.  We are going to have so much fun dressing up and attending The Ponte Vedra Plantation Clubhouse for this event.  Donations from the gala event will go toward building a playground for the children of The Keystone Academy and Keystone Behavioral Pediatrics.  Tickets will still be available at the door for only $75. 

 

On Sunday, you will find us  walking for the Heal! Zoo Walk at the Jacksonville Zoo.  My family will be there with Team Keystone.  Not only does Heal! raise awareness for autism in our community, they also fund programs and camps in the area.  With a high in the low 70's, it is going to be a great day at the zoo!  Come join us!  If you aren't able to join us by registering here, feel free to donate to Team Keystone. 

What are you doing this weekend?

If you are in the Jacksonville/St. Johns area and would like your home better organized, and would like the assistance of a professional organizer, e-mail juliebavi@gmail.com  You can also find me on Facebook by clicking HERE or by searching for Organize With Julie.  Stalk me on twitter @juliebavi.

Technorati Tags: Heal!,Autism,Keystone,Jax Zoo,Jacksonville,Organizing

Reminder for Tax time!

The deadline for receiving W-2 forms in order to do your taxes (or have them done) has passed. It is time to gather all of your receipts, 1099s, and other documents. Start compiling them now instead of waiting until the last minute. Put documentation together in a box or folder. Call now and make your appointment with your tax adviser. Making this appointment now serves a two-fold purpose. First, now you have a personal deadline for getting all of your forms together. Second, you will have no excuse for stressful procrastination. Wouldn’t relieving any of the frantic tax rush be a positive move?  I think it would feel much less… ummm… taxing. 

Technorati Tags: organizing,taxes,procrastination

GO MONTH 2013

Greetings!  We're halfway through the first month of a new year.  Don't you just love packing up the Christmas decor, sending the kids back to school, and getting life back to "normal"?  I have been a purging and organizing fool around my house.  The bug has finally bit me to let go of things I was holding onto.  I used some of the same excuses you do "I have the space for it" or the ever popular "I may need that someday".  It's easy to justify holding onto stuff sometimes.  You know what's an even better feeling though?  Letting go of stuff!  Freeing your space and your mind of the clutter.  Letting someone else benefit from the things you pass on to them.  What could a professional organizer possibly have to purge?  Art supplies, books, outgrown workbooks, coloring books (where did all of these coloring books come from in the first place?!) - donated to the school.  Pantry items - to the local food bank.  Toys and clothes - to the consignment sale or handed down to friends. Magazines and catalogs - into the recycle bin.  Each week is like a new treasure hunt to see what I can purge next.

So tell me: What's cluttering up your house and mind?  What do you need to purge from your home and life?  Do you need some help along the way?  That's what I'm here for!

If you are in the Jacksonville/St. Johns area and would like your home better organized (or you want some help Simplifying YOUR Season), and would like the assistance of a professional organizer, e-mail juliebavi@gmail.com  You can also find me on Facebook by clicking HERE or by searching for Organize With Julie.  Stalk me on twitter @juliebavi.