December usually brings greeting cards to our homes with messages, pictures and newsletters from friends and family far and near. You can enjoy them for days or weeks by keeping them nearby during the holidays. Decorated open baskets, bins or boxes can hold them in convenient places. They can be opened and propped up on mantels, buffets or tables, or they can be strung across windows, walls or doorways much like clothing on a clothes line (for those of us old enough to know what a clothes line is).
After the holidays, resist trying to keep all of them as they will create a source of clutter in a few years. Save the photos only if you will honor them by displaying in an album, frame, scrapbook or photo box. If cards or letters contain messages you want to save, clip those and donate the fronts of cards to nursing homes, daycares, or other places that hold craft classes or create crafting projects. Keep a check list or data base for current addresses and other notes about the sender and update it each year.
Make decisions now so that when the holiday clean up begins, you will have a plan for those cards.
Showing posts with label holiday cards. Show all posts
Showing posts with label holiday cards. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Organizing Holiday Cooking
Starting early is certainly one way to make holiday cooking an easier task. There are certain foods our families have come to expect this time of the year, but often we want to add something new to the celebrations. This does not mean you need to buy another cookbook. My guess is that you already have more than you actually use.
A clutter free way to find new ideas and recipes is to go online. One year I tasted a chocolate dip at an event and decided I wanted to find out how to make it. I went to Google, typed in chocolate chip dip and the web sites popped right up. On the allrecipes.com site there were several recipes to choose and I picked the one with the ingredients I normally have. I printed the recipe, but I could have saved it in a recipe folder on the computer and had it available there, too.
So if you want to add something new to the menu this holiday you need not spend extra money and take up extra space with more cookbooks. In fact, this might be a good time to purge some of those you have never or rarely use and open up some space in your kitchen. Food for thought.
A clutter free way to find new ideas and recipes is to go online. One year I tasted a chocolate dip at an event and decided I wanted to find out how to make it. I went to Google, typed in chocolate chip dip and the web sites popped right up. On the allrecipes.com site there were several recipes to choose and I picked the one with the ingredients I normally have. I printed the recipe, but I could have saved it in a recipe folder on the computer and had it available there, too.
So if you want to add something new to the menu this holiday you need not spend extra money and take up extra space with more cookbooks. In fact, this might be a good time to purge some of those you have never or rarely use and open up some space in your kitchen. Food for thought.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
More Tips on Holiday Cards
Since holiday cards are displayed so early and they are picked over long before mailing, I have already reminded you now is the time to find the best selection. I have a few other suggestions.
1. Consider choosing one design for everyone and adding a personl note to make it special. Save one of the cards with the year written on it so you will know you have used it and when.
2. If you do not have time for personal notes in each card or if you want to add a family newsletter, make the newsletter short and sweet. The shorter the sweeter it is. While it is fine to mention you took a trip to China, you need not list every city you visited. If your child graduated from college, you do not need to list all of the awards and job offers. Tell the news but leave off the bragging. In addition, it will take time to read the newsletter and most people do not take the time to do that while opening the daily mail. One paragraph that you are alive and well on planet earth is fine. A family picture printed on the page or added is good, too. Just remember, less is more.
3. Keep your address file up to date so cards are not returned because of incorrect address. And when you receive a card, check the return address to be sure that is the one you have on file.
4. Purchase "forever" stamps and resist the urge to buy holiday stamps unless you are sure you will use all of them. If the price of postage goes up, your "forever" stamps will still be accepted and you will not have to purchase or add those one cent stamps.
1. Consider choosing one design for everyone and adding a personl note to make it special. Save one of the cards with the year written on it so you will know you have used it and when.
2. If you do not have time for personal notes in each card or if you want to add a family newsletter, make the newsletter short and sweet. The shorter the sweeter it is. While it is fine to mention you took a trip to China, you need not list every city you visited. If your child graduated from college, you do not need to list all of the awards and job offers. Tell the news but leave off the bragging. In addition, it will take time to read the newsletter and most people do not take the time to do that while opening the daily mail. One paragraph that you are alive and well on planet earth is fine. A family picture printed on the page or added is good, too. Just remember, less is more.
3. Keep your address file up to date so cards are not returned because of incorrect address. And when you receive a card, check the return address to be sure that is the one you have on file.
4. Purchase "forever" stamps and resist the urge to buy holiday stamps unless you are sure you will use all of them. If the price of postage goes up, your "forever" stamps will still be accepted and you will not have to purchase or add those one cent stamps.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Holiday Planning for October
Before the Halloween costumes are put on sale, many retailers have already displayed their Thanksgiving and Christmas decorations. Unfortunately this means the best selection for those items are available now and some desirable items may be sold before we are ready to use them.
One item that should be purchased early is holiday cards. Consider purchasing one style for most or all of your list to make the task easier to accomplish. Gifts that need to be sent out of town should also be purchased early so mailing deadlines can be met. This is especially true for those shipped out of the country.
Planning on using items already in the home as part of holiday decorations will save time, space and money. Adding holiday bows to candles, lamps, railings, etc. is one simple way to add color and a festive atmosphere rather than purchasing special items to fill those spaces. Planning now will make that activity easier later on in the season.
One item that should be purchased early is holiday cards. Consider purchasing one style for most or all of your list to make the task easier to accomplish. Gifts that need to be sent out of town should also be purchased early so mailing deadlines can be met. This is especially true for those shipped out of the country.
Planning on using items already in the home as part of holiday decorations will save time, space and money. Adding holiday bows to candles, lamps, railings, etc. is one simple way to add color and a festive atmosphere rather than purchasing special items to fill those spaces. Planning now will make that activity easier later on in the season.
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