It's October and you know what that means!!!  It's time to start organizing for the holidays! It’s officially the holiday season and although I know many of you just let out a collective moan.  I love this time of year so I get in hyperdrive…October is Fall Festival, Halloween and Dia De Los Muertos (we are bi-racial here), November is Thanksgiving (in the states) and December is Christmas! In the Morales household, this is the time of year that our attic space gets a lot of love because I visit it at least once a month, if not more. This is also the time of year when things begin getting hectic because it is the time for holiday party invitations, weddings, family gatherings, gift shopping, baking and home decoration. <!--more-->I'm sure for many it can be a stressful time because there is so much to do, but I want you to enjoy your holiday season! My recommendation is to plan out the season, batch as much work as you can and take it one day at a time. Sounds easy right? Well, it is and I'm going to teach you how!
<h2>Make Your High-Level Plan</h2>
Ok so first, write the months out and plug in anything you already know is happening. I'll use myself as an example: on October 5th, we begin taking preorders for our hand-made crafts, mid-Oct is our wedding anniversary, a work conference and a family vacation. When we return it will be Halloween. We want to send a holiday gift box to my in-laws sometime in November. Thanksgiving is at our house again this year and Christmas is in Nashville so guests will come then. Looking at that I already know things are going to be busssssy!!!
<h2>Break your plan down into To Do Lists</h2>
I then look at each of those things and figure out what needs to happen for each of the items to be successful and I plug in those to-do deadlines. For example, I need to develop our Thanksgiving menu so I can send out the signup list to those coming who are bringing something. For the trip, I have to make sure I have what I need from a business standpoint and I need to start packing as soon as possible...not only for me but for my family as well! I need to purchase Halloween candy and begin making the food signup list for the holidays, etc etc.
<h2>Batch Your To Do's</h2>
By sitting down and thinking through the events you have planned you can begin to determine your overall list of to do's and see where you can easily batch them together. For example, when I'm sitting around waiting on others or have a little downtime, I can think about what I'd like to get for my in-laws, I can also start drafting my Thanksgiving menu...all of this is of course documented in my Evernote app so it is always with me (read more about <a href="http://thehappinessbucket.com/organizing-with-evernote/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">how I use Evernote to simplify my life</a>).  I also use all the steps previously mentioned in my <a href="http://thehappinessbucket.com/holiday-planning-guide-pt1/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">holiday planning guide(s)</a>
<h2>Be Realistic</h2>
I encourage you to look at your "plan" with an editing eye, especially if you are overwhelmed just by looking at it.  Look into areas where you can lessen your load or even delegate responsibilities.  This will help you have an enjoyable holiday season without the stress and frustration so many experience.

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