Monthly Organizing Checklist November, 2018 We’ll soon be waving goodbye to 2018. Get your life organized and end this year on a high note. Our NEW November 2018  Organizing Checklist is ready and willing to help! Join our weekly newsletter to be notified when the newest checklist is available. For a PRINTABLE VERSION, click here __ Nov 1 Today is National Author’s Day. Celebrate your favorite author by reading one of his or her newest offerings or rereading one that you particularly enjoyed in the past. __ Nov 2 Is there still some candy left in your Trick or Treat bowl? Bag it up and take it to work. Your co- workers will be appreciative and you won’t be tempted to finish it off yourself. __ Nov 3 Dress your front door for the season with pumpkins or a hand- crafted autumn wreath. Check decorating magazines and websites for ideas and inspiration. __ Nov 4 Daylight Saving Time is ending. Remember to set your clocks BACK one hour and enjoy the extra sleep on Sunday morning. __ Nov 5 Get a head start on the holidays. Wash and iron tablecloths (wrap them around a gift wrap tube to keep wrinkle-free). Shine any silver pieces and make sure your knives are sharpened and ready. __ Nov 6 Election Day is today. Remember to vote. Maybe you can offer a ride to someone who needs transportation to the polls. __ Nov 7 Do a last-minute check on your family’s winter clothing. Is everyone prepared with coats, boots, hats and gloves? Donate any coats that are still in good condition. __ Nov 8 Your feathered friends need to eat well this winter too. Time to stock up on birdseed and suet cakes. As a bonus, you’ll enjoy entertainment provided by the birds all season. __ Nov 9 Take your family to a local museum or other attraction that you’ve never been to. Often, we forget about those special things to see in our own town. __ Nov 10 Get outside and take care of any leftover dead leaves by raking or leaf blowing, then treat yourself to a mug of hot spiced cider as a reward. __ Nov 11 Observe Veteran’s Day by thanking your family members or friends who have served or who are now serving. __ Nov 12 Think about any homemade gifts you want to give for the holidays and start planning now. Make lists of ingredients and/or supplies you will need. __ Nov 13 Make sure you’re ready for winter weather. Check that you have snow shovels and ice scrapers (one for each vehicle). If you have a generator, check that it is in working order, and review safety standards for its use with each family member. __ Nov 14 Donate to your local food pantry. It’s a good idea to call ahead to ask what they most need. __ Nov 15 It’s National Clean Your Refrigerator Day. Start with a clean slate and lots of room for all those holiday goodies and ingredients. __ Nov 16 Ever heard of hygge? Pronounced somewhere between hoo-gah and hue-gah…try puckering your lips when you say it. Hygge is a Danish tradition that means setting a mood of coziness. Create this mood in your own home with soft, cuddly throws, lots of pillows, a crackling fire, and lots of candlelight. __ Nov 17 If weather permits, take a hike for National Take A Hike Day. Explore a nearby nature trail with your family. If dogs are allowed, include your family pooch. __ Nov 18 Deep clean your guest bathrooms. __ Nov 19 Some of the best (and easiest) decorations are those found in nature. Set out wooden bowls of shiny red apples or nuts in the shell; gather pine cones or acorns and display in rustic baskets. __ Nov 20 Set the mood with fragrance: potpourri or soy candles in scents of pumpkin or apple. Remember to never leave a candle unattended. __ Nov 21 Fresh or dried hydrangeas in a crock or large pitcher make a wonderful table centerpiece and continue your natural decorating theme. Perhaps you can mix in some fresh evergreen branches or sprays of berries or rose hips, or just go with these lovely flowers alone. __ Nov 22 Happy Turkey Day! It’s the perfect time to remember all the things you are thankful for. After dinner, take a brisk walk before coming back to hot coffee and dessert. __ Nov 23 Black Friday is here. If you absolutely must shop, take advantage of some great sales at electronics stores, whether in person or online. __ Nov 24 Check your home for safety. Make sure you have working smoke detectors on each floor of your home including the basement. Replace batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. __ Nov 25 Have a family board game day. Serve snacks of sliced apples, chunks of cheddar cheese, and roasted peanuts. __ Nov 26 Check your holiday ornaments, lights, wreaths and other indoor or outdoor decorations to see if any need repair or replacement. __ Nov 27 Celebrate Giving Tuesday by donating to your favorite charity. Consider a local animal shelter, library, or other cause close to your heart. __ Nov 28 Buy or order holiday cards and stamps. Check to be sure you have enough wrapping paper, tape, and mailing supplies on hand. Update your address book with any changes. __ Nov 29 Don’t forget to protect your pets. Cold weather comes with extra hazards for them. Make sure any antifreeze and other harmful chemicals are out of reach. Consider keeping your outdoor cats indoors for the winter. __ Nov 30 An Advent calendar can be an enjoyable tradition for children and adults alike. If you use one, hang it now. Although some calendars take in the last few days of November, most start on December 1.