Every year many people brace themselves for the busy holiday season. I often hear people complaining that they are hoping to survive the season or bemoaning what a struggle it is to get through it. The holidays don’t have to be hard!
The reason so many people struggle is because their lives were already busy before all of the baking, wrapping and shopping was added to the agenda. So the first step is to prioritize. Isolate the tasks that are important and meaningful to you. And, just do those. After you’ve identified the
important parts of the holiday, look for ways to simplify them. If you are tired of trying to see every relative you have in a one week time period, stop. Spread the visits out over several weeks. Or invite everyone to your home for an Open House.
Here are more examples of ways to simplify four common Holiday dilemmas.
1) Shopping: stay out of the stores. Shop by catalog or online. Sure, you’ll incur shipping charges but you’ll save gas and avoid walking a half mile through slushy parking lots. There are so many options available online. You are just a Google search away from gifts for anyone on your list.
Once you have narrowed your search and know the item and brand that you want, go to one of these sites to get the best price: www.shopping.com or www.shopzilla.com. Or go to one of these sites and they will direct you to deals and free online shipping: www.couponhut.com and www.monkeybargains.com.
2) Multiple gifts: buy in bulk. This is an especially helpful tip when buying something for teachers, colleagues, hostesses and the mail carrier. It is a great way to get better pricing while easing the need to buy an assortment of gifts. Waiting for an annual sale can also help the budget.
I wait for the yearly Frango chocolate sale, and then stock up. Many liquor stores offer a discount on a case of wine. Some coffee shops give better pricing after you purchase five pounds of coffee. Always have a few extra gifts tucked away for the late-remembered hostess or teacher’s gift.
It is such a relief to know that you have secured all of your gifts at one time, thus eliminating the need to make seven separate trips to the store in search of the perfect gift in the $10-$15. range. Which we know is no small task.
3) Holiday card writing: get help. The Post Office sells greeting cards online. Personalize the cards with your own photo. NetPost can mail the cards for you. You input all of the addresses into your computer and send them to NetPost. They will send the cards directly to your friends and family ASAP. Or they will send to the recipient at a date of your choosing. They will also deliver boxes of cards to your home. You can personalize and address the cards yourself. Gift cards are available from popular retailers in various denominations. Find out more at: www.usps.com
Cardstore can streamline the holiday card process for you. They will create custom cards, address, seal, stamp and mail for you. Cardstore offers boxed cards and cards created with your photos. They also offer a holiday card club. Buy 12, 24 or 100 cards at a savings, plus free postage at
www.cardstore.com.
4) Mailing packages: Ship your packages without leaving your house. Try Click-n-Ship at www.usps.com/clicknship. Arrange for Carrier Pickup. This is a free service. Your package will be picked up during the next day’s delivery. You must request the service in advance. Notify them online at usps.com/pickup. The package must be ready for the carrier with postage attached and it can’t weigh more than 70lb. There is another service called Pick Up on Demand. It costs $13.25, but you are given a specific two-hour time frame. The same rules apply.
Ship almost anything for one low rate. Use a Flat Rate box and ship anything up to 70 lbs for $8.10. This is good for any destination in the US. They also offer a Flat Rate envelope that is 9 ½ x 12½. The cost is $4.05. Purchase these online at www.usps.com>supplies or by phone at 1-866-
434-8777.
Order your stamps online, by phone 1.800.STAMP24 or by mail.
We live in a service friendly world. If you are struggling to get a job done, look for help. There are so many resources out there. Take shortcuts wherever you can, so that you can truly enjoy the season.
_____________________________________________________
Copyright ®2006 Come2Order
Karen Henke is the owner of Come2Order in Minneapolis, MN. Visit www.come2order2day.com and request a free Time-Savers Kit loaded with time-saving tips and services. While you’re there, sign
up for a free subscription to the Come2Order monthly newsletter!
