Holiday Checklist - 12 Tips To Stay Organized

Ho ho ho! Have you checked off YOUR lists? Don't end up on the naughty list.

Here are some quick reminders of things to consider:

1. Make holiday reservations be sure to remember the pets.
2. While present shopping, remember the boxes, tissue paper, wrapping paper, tape and
   lots of batteries.
3. Reserve tickets for special holiday events before they sell out.
4. If traveling by car, plan for oil change and car check.
5. Make hair cut and beauty appointments.
6. If traveling, make sure you have enough prescriptions.
7. Remember Champagne  and cider for the New Year.
8. Order turkeys, ham, cakes, pies and yule logs.
9. Polish silver.
10. Iron tablecloths and napkins, create or purchase centerpiece.
11. Mark your calendar with any special events for school, church or community.
12. Mark your calendar with a date to visit Santa.

Rachel Seavey, Professional Organizer
I am located in Pleasanton Ca, and serve the San Francisco Bay Area.
I specialize in Hoarding Disorder, Chronic Disorganization and helping the overwhelmed with clutter. I love what I do, and I provide realistic expectations and timelines. Don't suffer in chaos any  more. Every breath is a new beginning! Please visit my site at www.collectorcare.com
Tweet me on Twitter : Like my Facebook page : Find me on Pinterest

3 Black Friday Tips

I love to shop. Most of my clients love to shop. Black Friday, let's touch on this a bit.
I am going to speak from my experience in the Bay Area as a Black Friday shopper of 15 years.

Should you get up at the crack of dawn and shop? Heck yes. I have found the best deals as soon as the store opens its doors. Is it crazy? Yes! Is it worth it? Absolutely.

3 TIPS:

1. Budget. Know exactly how much you want to spend, and what you want to buy. Aimless shopping can lead to senseless shopping. 
2. Set your alarm clock.
   Start the first hour in a higher end store such as Macy's or Nordstrom (I believe Macy's opens several hours before Nordstrom). Barneys, Burberry, Saks, etc - you are not going to find them open early or a great deal. They don't need it. Don't have your heart set on a bargain.
   * Macy's Union Square/ Walnut Creek. The first hour is amazing. Go to the department you like best first. There will be lines and it will be a little crazy. But it won't be as crazy as it will be in a few hours when most of the people wake up.
3. Plan your shopping trip. Unfortunately, once you have finished at Macy's nothing else is really open. If you are in the city, Juicy, Gucci, Barney's, etc aren't open until around 10am. Some stores within the Union Square Mall are open but not many. This is the same with Walnut Creek, with less options. So what do you do while you wait? You can bring your Macy's bags back to your car to kill time, you can grab a cup of coffee, you can read a book. Plan to have a couple hours downtime in between. If I have spent my budget I go home and relax!

Have fun shopping and remember to only purchase things you LOVE. If you aren't feeling it - don't buy it. Save yourself from buyers remorse or from adding more clutter to your life. Don't overspend, and try not to get anything you need to return. Most people end up shopping again when they come back to return items.

Rachel Seavey, Professional Organizer
I am located in Pleasanton Ca, and serve the San Francisco Bay Area.
I specialize in Hoarding Disorder, Chronic Disorganization and helping the overwhelmed with clutter. I love what I do, and I provide realistic expectations and timelines. Don't suffer in chaos any  more. Every breath is a new beginning! Please visit my site at www.collectorcare.com
Tweet me on Twitter : Like my Facebook page : Find me on Pinterest