Clean and organize one of the most-used areas in your home or workplace.
It’s about to get crazy busy. Even though It happens every year, we still seem to get caught off guard. But, if you can clear your mind of just a few pesky things before the festivities start, you’ll thank yourself.
TIDY UP YOUR HIGH-TRAFFIC AREAS
That spot by the front door with the mountains of shoes, backpacks, and junk mail is calling your name. What about that trail of miscellaneous items climbing your stairs? A successful Tidy-Up session starts with focusing on one or two ‘hot spot’ areas in your home or workplace and giving them your undivided cleaning energy. It might be the overloaded kitchen counter (I think it’s still under there?). Or maybe your WFH desk is a total disaster. Wherever you choose, give it a little extra TLC.
TRY A 30-MINUTE WHOLE-HOUSE “SPEED CLEAN”
You know the drill. Set your timer for 30 minutes and go through your home room by room. Pick up everything that doesn’t belong and put it in its proper place (or throw it away) one item at a time. This is my favorite way to pick up all those random items laying around, enabling me to see the floor once again! I’m always surprised by how much I can get done in only 30 minutes. If you’re like me, you’ll repeat this any time guests are due to arrive at your front door in less than an hour. (Side note: you may want to don a superhero cape for this one. Just for kicks.)
Write down 2 or 3 short-term goals that are specific and attainable.
This one’s pretty simple and self-explanatory, but accomplishing even a few important things this holiday season will give you some quick wins – making you feel like a superhero (did you take us up on wearing that cape?). Choose a category: family, friends, work, home, kids, etc. Then, do a little brainstorming and think of one or two things that will make the holidays special, remove weight from your shoulders, and help you shift focus towards what matters most. Now make a plan to do those things!
GOAL IDEAS FOR THE SMALL BUSINESS OWNER MOM
- Purchase and send out 25 client gifts before November 30th
- Host a holiday open house for Small Business Saturday
- Market your holiday deals and specials on social media once per week from Nov-Dec
- Decorate the shop with fresh evergreen boughs before Thanksgiving
- Make a holiday hours sign to inform customers of your adjusted schedule
Update your calendar with important upcoming events.
Anyone else lose track of everything going on between October and January? No? Just me?
ADD DATES TO YOUR CALENDAR
Do yourself a favor and set up a fresh, new calendar. Paper or digital – whichever tickles your fancy. Add anything and everything you can think of like birthdays, work events, shopping trips (to buy gifts!), and cookie-baking dates with Grandma. Bonus points if you color-code each family member’s events!
CREATE YOUR TO-DO LISTS
Once your calendar is updated, you’ll be able to use it to create a to-do list for each month (or week). For example, if you attend that workplace white elephant exchange every year, you can add “Purchase a white elephant gift” to your November or December to-do list. This way none of your tasks will slip through the cracks.
Define your holiday marketing plan (or shopping plan!) now so you’re not scrambling later.
Buying (or making) gifts for everyone on my list is always a longer process than I anticipated. I enjoy choosing unique, thoughtful items that my friends and family will actually like and use. But it’s really the planning and researching that takes the longest time, rather than the actual ‘purchasing’ part. Especially when you gifted something you thought was really cool last year and now you have to find something equally as amazing.
HOW TO ACTUALLY ENJOY YOUR HOLIDAY SHOPPING
Anyway, you get it. Holiday shopping can be a whole process. Try writing out a holiday gift list to help you budget and plan what you’re going to get.
Then, make the actual shopping trip (or a trip to your couch to hit up online stores) a little more fun and exciting by making a ‘date’ out of it. You think I’m kidding, but I’m serious! Grab a friend, your mom, or your dog, and do your shopping together. Staying in? Make a super easy charcuterie board, grab a cup of hot chocolate, and browse the web together. It’s so much more fun that way.
Now, once all those little brown boxes arrive at your front door and you gather up everything you need, add a little style to your packages. Wrapping and decorating your gifts with love and care make them even more special. Turn the wrapping part into a fun night in with a friend (wine, optional) – no need to suffer through it alone! Need some supplies? Try out these printable holiday gift tags.
FOR THE SMALL BUSINESS OWNER MOM
How will you get the word out about your business this season? Are you having any special events or sales? With life running nonstop while the holidays creep up it can be tough to put the time and energy into the holiday marketing plan that your business truly deserves.
Like to DIY your holiday marketing? Try making your own gift guides using Canva. Your customers will appreciate the help!
Absolutely swamped this year? No worries. Check out our Design-in-a-Day and eCommerce Packaging Design Bundle for a quick, no-stress way to surprise and delight your customers.
Decorate your kitchen, home office, or living room in a way that helps you experience the spirit of the season.
Don’t do it out of some holiday ‘obligation,’ just do it for fun. You don’t have to have the most elaborate decorations on the block. Set out a few things that make you smile, or DIY a new decoration if that’s your thing. That’s it. It can be simple.
Now take a breath – PHEW! – and go out and enjoy the holidays with your friends and loved ones.
And don’t forget to share the goods with your small business friends!
