Here we go. December has arrived and who of us is organised and who’s overwhelmed and behind already?

We’re on the countdown folks and it’s less than 3 weeks till Christmas. Terrifying right! Where did the year go? If you haven’t sent out your Christmas cards yet or you have and are looking for tips for next year because this years batch was ridiculous. Here’s how I tamed my list ….

Firstly. Make a list. Who do you send or give Christmas cards to? Now check it twice. Haha. (I love bad puns.) Seriously though, we’ll address the Cards list today but write up who you give or send presents list to as well. We’ll get to that one next post.

 

Step 1: Write a list

  1. Christmas Card List
  2. Presents List

 

Simplifying and organising is always the way to go in my opinion. The benefit is the time, effort and money it is going to save you, along with possibly your sanity at this busy time of year. When you finish it this year, I want you to keep it as a master copy so you have a starting place next year. You want to eliminate scrolling through your address book every year or trying to remember everyone to inevitably forget one or two people anyway. From here on in you can just add or delete from the master copy as needed. For this task an electronic copy is ideal as it allows easy updates and a new updated master copy is only a few keystrokes away. Simply print it out if you want the paper version.

 

Step 2: Eliminate & Reduce

 

Start with your cards list. Cards should only come from a place of genuinely wanting to wish someone a great festive season and new year. If there is anyone on your list that you send cards to out of habit or a sense of obligation. Cross them off. The same goes for people you barely know and aren’t likely to get to know any better – unless of course, you are trying to build a relationship with that person. People you have long since grown apart from or no longer spend time with. Scratch them off also. When I started this process years ago I was surprised to find there were people I still sent cards too that when I sat down and thought about it,  I hadn’t seen or talked to in years. People that I hardly knew but thought “I should” or that I thought would expect one.  I immediately stopped. The earth didn’t end. In fact, absolutely nothing changed, no relationships were injured or changed. I did, however, save a lot of time, energy and money on buying, writing and posting cards to people I had no meaningful relationship with. You’ll likely find the same.

 

Step 3: Automate what you can

 

After you have reduced your list ask yourself how many of these could you send email cards to? I am not advocating this for your nearest and dearest. By all means, buy the beautiful cards, handwrite, send. For those on your list though where you want to send cards but they aren’t on your nearest and dearest list and you have email addresses there are plenty of quality free sites around now.  You don’t have to buy cards, leave your house and postage is zero.  Load up the addresses pick a date in the future or send immediately. You care. You want to let them know you’re thinking of them and you are. You are also though prioritising the time and money you have for yourself and those closest to you. Which is as it should be.

 

Lastly: Go buy beautiful cards

Save money from buying less cards or buy the nicer more expensive ones you really want because you don’t have as many to buy. The choice is yours. The time savings are a given and less stress and anxiety at the task ahead is also likely.

Next post we’ll look at the presents list. Presents can be a bit trickier but there’s plenty of ways to look at, action and simplify that too. For now though, do your lists, buy your cards, load up your emails. Now that I no longer have millions to do, I actually find the process enjoyable. I wish the same for you.

Do you have other ways you’ve addressed this? I’d love to hear them.

E x

 

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