Monthly Organizing Checklist December, 2019 It’s the last month of the year. End on a super-organized note. You can do this when you use our NEW December Organizing Checklist. Join our newsletter to be notified when the newest checklist is available. For a PRINTABLE VERSION, click here __ Dec 1 Take down Thanksgiving decorations and bring out Christmas ones. This is a great time to go through your Christmas ornaments and get rid of anything that's broken, worn out, or that you don't like. .__ Dec 2 Donate extra or unwanted holiday ornaments and decorations to Goodwill or another thrift store to free up space for any new items…and to give people seeking decorations the opportunity to secure them before Christmas. __ Dec 3 Christmas-shop now if you haven’t already. It's always good to get it done early to avoid the crowds of last-minute shoppers and extra traffic. __ Dec 4 Pick out (or make) Christmas cards for everyone on your list.  Get them all addressed, stamped, and in the car. Then, when you head out, you can make one trip to the post office and send them on their way. __ Dec 5 Stock up on and organize winter supplies. Be sure you have de-icer, snow salt, firewood, extra heaters (if necessary), and snow shovels readily available. __ Dec 6 Set up the Christmas tree and start decorating. If you display a real Christmas tree, buy one and get it set up. Or assemble your artificial one. Then, each day, do just a little bit to decorate it…check lights BEFORE you put them on the tree (replace any bulbs that have burned out or get new light strands if needed). Add tinsel, popcorn garland, or artificial snow. Finish it up with the ornaments. Then top it with an angel or star. __ Dec 7 Finalize travel plans. If you're travelling for the holidays, finalize plans. Keep your tickets and itinerary on your family bulletin board or in a big, bright colored envelope so you can spot them easily. __ Dec 8 Get out your holiday-themed dishware. Inventory what you have and make note of any items that need to be replaced. You can pick these up on shopping day. __ Dec 9 Spend the day wrapping presents. Do this while watching holiday movies and enjoying hot cider and cookies. __ Dec 10 Get your car winterized. Make sure all needed fluids are filled up. Switch to studded or other winter tires, or get chains ready if you live in snow country and they’re allowed in your area. Keep a winter emergency kit and extra blankets in your car. __ Dec 11 Replenish emergency kits with batteries, a flash light, candles, matches, a lighter, and water bottles. Stock up on canned and packaged foods in case the power goes out. __ Dec 12 Make holiday potpourri. Put the following in a pot on your stove: 1 sliced orange, 1 sliced lemon, 2 cinnamon sticks or 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1 tablespoon whole cloves or 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves, and 2 cups water. Simmer on low and enjoy this natural, chemical-free holiday fragrance. Be sure to check the water level. Don’t allow the water to evaporate. Otherwise, the ingredients will burn your pan. You can also do this in a slow cooker. __ Dec 13 Give your home a winter- check. Check the pipes under each sink and wrap them if needed. Leave sink cabinets ajar to allow the room’s heat to warm them, especially if they are located against an outside wall. Doing both of these will help prevent freezing pipes. Put a rolled up towel at the bottom of entry doors to catch drafts. __ Dec 14 Check on your home's heating system. Clean heater vents and set your thermostat a few degrees higher. Clean your fireplace or woodstove, or have them serviced. Make sure propane is filled up. __ Dec 15 Test and replace all smoke detector batteries. If you haven’t done this in awhile, do it now. Safety first…always! __ Dec 16 Replace furnace and range hood filters throughout your home. __ Dec 17 Volunteer at local soup kitchen or food bank. Volunteers are always in need at these types of organizations, but especially during winter. .__ Dec 18 Donate a few presents to a child in need. Many churches have “Angel Trees” up now. They are decorated with numbered paper angel tags with a first name, age, and gender of a child who is in need of a gift. __ Dec 19 Spend some time decluttering in the kids' rooms. Have a bag or box for broken items and another one for giveaway items. With your kids, toss the broken items in the trash and put the giveaways in the car to drop off at the thrift store. When the kids open their new presents, they will have plenty of space in their rooms to organize their new things. __ Dec 20 Clean out the fridge. Toss out anything that's past its prime. Clean each shelf, drawer, and the door shelves. Now you're ready to restock for Christmas dinner. __ Dec 21 Make your holiday food list and head to the grocery store. Be sure to get everything on your list so you'll only have to make one trip. __ Dec 22 Start prepping ingredients to marinate or freeze for Christmas dinner. This way you'll free up tons of time on Christmas day to enjoy family, friends and relaxation. __ Dec 23 Get some housework done today. Focus on the areas of your home that guests will see. Remove any clutter. If you don’t have time to go through it, just put it all in a box so it is contained…and put it in an out- of-the way place until after Christmas. Be sure to add this task to your calendar so that box isn’t stored away someplace forever. Dust and vacuum…and get guest rooms ready if needed. __ Dec 24 Have a holiday movie marathon. Pick out a stack of favorite DVDs, or binge-watch the Hallmark Channel. Put any gifts under the tree before going to bed. Put out cookies for Santa and carrots for his reindeer. __ Dec 25 Merry Christmas! Relax and enjoy, whether you’re having a big celebration, a small family gathering, or if you’re spending a cozy Christmas with your dog or cat. Call loved ones and friends who you won’t be seeing for the holiday and wish them well. Keep those in the military in your thoughts. Post some festive messages on social media. __ Dec 26 Get a few extra zzz's this morning. If you have the opportunity to catch up on sleep, do so today. Do something for yourself…polish your nails, enjoy a gift you received, or read a book. __ Dec 27 Finalize New Year's Eve plans.  If you're having a party, pick up food, drinks, and party favors. If you'll be going out, be sure you have everything you need picked out…clothes, purse, shoes, and accessories. Plan to leave for your destination early to allow for traffic and parking. Drive safe. __ Dec 28 Organize and declutter 10 file folders. Start with those that are stuffed full. __ Dec 29 Begin a new calendar for the new year. If you use a digital calendar, you should be all set. But if you use a paper one, get recurring dates (birthdays, anniversaries) and any known upcoming events written in. __ Dec 30 Return or exchange any gifts as needed. Sometimes, a gift you received isn’t quite what you had in mind. Return or exchange these, whenever possible, with something you’ll use and love. __ Dec 31 Write up 3 goals for January. Then, begin working on one fo these goals tomorrow. Wishing you a very happy, safe, organized new year ahead!