Tip 1: Check for Mates
Waiting until the last minute to find out that your favorite pair of gloves doesn’t have a match is awful. It’s even worse when it’s your kid’s favorite set. Save yourself some drama, and check for mates ahead of time. You’ll also want to make sure you’ve got a hat and scarf for everyone in the home. Sure, you won’t use them every time you venture out, but keeping them together will spare you the pain and suffering when you need them most.

Tip 2: Store at the Door
There is nothing more frustrating than having to run back through the house to find your leather driving gloves that you think you left on the kitchen counter. Instead, keep them in a bin near the door. I LOVE the three drawer container from Sterilite available at Amazon, Walmart, and Target. It tucks nicely into a narrow coat closet and can be rolled around when you temporarily need it elsewhere. The drawers can be labeled to hold items for each family member or by size. We use two of our drawers for “Adult Cold Weather” and “Child Cold Weather.” (Here's the label maker our coaches use if you're interested in making ALL KINDS of labels!)

Tip 3: Prep for Wet
When snow actually shows up, it’s helpful to have a few beach towels in reserve. Lay these on the floor near the entrance so that snowy friends can peel their accessories off in one central location. This will also help to contain any mud that gets tracked in….because we all know the upstate is infamous for red clay. Storing these towels in the third drawer of that Sterilite container is just plain genius. Your pets and floors will thank you for such considerate preparation. It’s also a great idea to invest in a boot tray OR repurpose an unloved cookie sheet to contain those wet boots to one central area. If you’ve got a collapsible garment rack or a door casing that can hold a few hangers, you’re even more of a winner. Simply lay a dry towel below to catch any drips while your wet stuff hangs to dry.

Tip 4: Keep the Dryer Free
Kids love coming and going in the cooler temps, particularly when that white stuff is coming down. Help them to stay warm by tossing their wet accessories in the dryer between trips. Yes, I know, some of you are cringing. I cringed too….because only my clean stuff belongs in the dryer! However, a dry happy kiddo is more valuable than a dryer. To help alleviate my fears of “contamination,” the next “clean” load that goes through the washer/dryer system is the winter coats and snow bibs. If the dryer is going to have anything in it from drying unclean winter gear, at least it’s only getting onto my freshly laundered winter gear. (Side note: I’ve never actually had anything gross transfer, but I thought I’d throw it out there just in case anyone is worried like myself!)

Tip 5: Wash and Restock
This last tip is the most often neglected. Don’t forget that in order for an organizational system to be successful, it must come full circle. After the winter accessories have been used (and washed, if necessary), return them to their rightful place. Everything, including those winter accessories, should have a home. While it may just be temporary, like in a Sterilite drawer system for winter, it deserves a resting place. Homes for accessories allow everyone to find exactly what they need when they need it. And winter is no time to doddle, because, baby, it’s cold outside!

This post originally appeared on The Good Life.

Today we’re talking about how to avoid overwhelm (and ultimate panic) as we enter the holiday season.

Tip #1: Dump All the Ideas
That’s right. Dump them. Onto paper or online, but get them out of your head. All those spinning plates and random thoughts only contribute to a mounting sense of anxiety. Let a web of written (or typed) thoughts manage those instead. While brain dumps come in a variety of forms, you should know that whatever works for you is your best option. For the creative type, an old fashion brainstorm or idea web will work perfectly. Start with your event circled in the center and simply jot down all the random things associated with it. Don’t worry about order or priority, simply get them out. If you want to amp up your game, jot the ideas down on Post-Its so that you can prioritize and organize later. Type A folks would do well with lists that can later be numbered and rewritten. Trello is an excellent (and FREE) online app that helps you manage all those ideas as they process from to-do into to-done!

Tip #2: Break It Down
Once you begin to free up some RAM within your brain, you’ll realize that each idea you jotted down requires multiple actions. Now that you’ve got the big ideas out, go ahead and task analyze each. If your event is Thanksgiving, one of those big ideas will be the menu. Begin to break that down. What’s your main course? How many sides, appetizers, and desserts do you want to serve? What will those be? How long will those take? Who will be responsible for each? Are there food allergies/aversions to consider for your guests? Breaking down your tasks into manageable, achievable chunks will help you to feel successful before you’ve even taken your first action step. You’ll also REALLY enjoy crossing all those things off!

Tip #3: Do What You Can, NOW!
There will be items on your brain dump that can be taken care of within the next week even though we’re WEEKS away from any big holiday parties. Send an email to guests asking about allergies/aversions. Shop for the dry goods and pantry supplies you’ll need on-hand once the cooking is underway. (I hate getting caught without enough butter….that just ruins everything! So stock up now…before everyone else is shopping for the same thing!)

Tip #4: Work Backwards
Review the tasks that need to be completed closer to the event. How long will each task take? Assign a minute value to each. If we’re talking about when to put the turkey in the oven for Thanksgiving, we need to know how long it will cook. Once you’ve given it a time estimate, start with your intended time to SERVE the food and start working backwards. If the turkey needs to be on the table at 4pm, it needs to be out of the oven by 3:30pm, which means it needs to be in the oven at 10am, and that you’ll need to preheat the oven at 9:45am. You’ll also need to start stuffing that bird by 9:15am so that it goes in on time. Working backwards helps you to know when you MUST begin. Late starts and delays cause some of the most undue stress! Don’t get caught in that trap.

Tip #5: Make Time for the Unexpected
Let’s go back to the bird in the oven illustration. There will be certain non-negotiables; things you can’t fudge on without throwing off the entire schedule. That’s inevitable in any event. However, it’s good to think through those things….like what if someone didn’t start thawing the bird 2 days prior? What if the store is out of lemons and you need a different stuffing or rub recipe? Creating space for mistakes, interruptions, or oven fires will enable you to feel calm even when crazy comes knocking at the door.

As your events approach, take a deep breath and get organized so that you’ll look and feel like a pro on the big day!

This post originally appeared on The Good Life.

#1 Buddy Day
If your recipient enjoys a favorite hobby, create a gift certificate to do it together. Heading to the hills for a hike on their favorite trail, tagging along to (window) shop the outlets, or hanging out at the firing range are all great ways to spend time together.

#2 Classes
Do you possess a unique skill like playing an instrument, decorating cakes, woodworking, or crocheting? Create a gift certificate providing time to teach that skill to your recipient. I know you won’t be able to teach ALL of it, but consider it an introduction. You can also reach out to local artisans, fitness studios, or online course companies to purchase a gift certificate for a class. Groupon is a great place to look for discounted classes.

#3 Coupon Books
There are hundreds of FREE, online templates for little books you can staple together or tie up with a pretty ribbon. They’re great gifts for all ages, but particularly the young and the old. Include acts of service like reading books together, using the REALLY messy finger paint, mowing the lawn, taking out the trash, or prepping meals ahead of time.

#4 Covert Old Data
No matter who you are, you’ve got old data on obsolete technology that you want to save. Your loved ones are no exception. You can transfer the data yourself if you’ve got the hardware/software or you can purchase a gift certificate for your loved one to have it done elsewhere. IMemories, SouthTree, and Costco offer these services.

#5 Date Night in a Box
Grab some of your favorite drinks, print a copy of the menu, and toss in some items that you’ll need for your night out.

#6 DIY Talk Topics
Foster conversation around the dinner table with printed conversation starters. Find a fun box at your local craft store or Goodwill to store the cards in and wrap with a pretty bow.

#7 Floral Arrangements
If you’ve got a knack for creating beautiful bouquets, use that talent to spread some joy! Purchase vases at Goodwill and flowers from your grocer to create one of a kind arrangements!

#8 Get Crafty
Create wooden trivets, whip together a scarf and mitten set, or sew up a blanket using your recipient’s favorite colors or patterns. Grab a piece of reclaimed wood (possibly from your deck project earlier this year) and give it new life with vinyl lettering.

#9 Go Green
Does your loved one love the environment? Pick up some new recycling containers for their garage or help them to build a composting bin out back. Give seed packets or baby plants to children.

#10 Homemade Treats
Do you love to bake? Whip up something tasty like mini-loaves or assorted cookie tins to give out during the holidays. Include the recipe with your treats so that the memory of your gift remains long after the goodies are gone.

#11 Ingredient Sets
If you know someone who likes to bake (or a child that likes to make), then this experience idea is for you. Gather all the ingredients your recipient will need to make a recipe you’ve found and package them in a gift basket you picked up at your local Goodwill. (I’m a huge fan of giving ingredients for making slime or playdough for little ones, particularly because I get to throw in a container of glitter!)

#12 Meal Prep 
Everyone is getting the flyers for pricey meal prep companies that send you boxes with the exact ingredients you need. You can gift someone the same service and take it one step further by assembling the ingredients. Make balls of chocolate chip cookie dough, freeze them on a cookie sheet, then drop them into Ziploc bags by the dozen. Write baking directions on the bag and give these with an entrée you’ve assembled in a bag or metal tin. Busy people LOVE a good homemade meal. When you can’t deliver a hot meal to their doorstep, give them a prepped freezer meal that only requires thawing and baking.

#13 Movie, Show, or Event Tickets
Use these printable tickets when you don’t know which movie you’ll see together; or simply pick up the tickets in advance. Wrap them in a box and include some snacks like Mike & Ikes or chocolate covered pretzels.

#14 Music + Apps
While giving a mixed tape might be a thing of the past, you can still give the gift of music online through gift cards and subscriptions. All kinds of apps exist for educational games, recipe organization, home inventories, and data storage. Purchase the app, set it up for your recipient, and then teach them how to use it.

#15 Pampering Appointment
Treat the men in your life to an old-fashioned hot shave at the new barber shop in town. Women love manicures and pedicures. Check your local Groupon for deals! If giving a gift certificate doesn’t feel like “enough,” add in a few items that go along with your theme like a fancy can of shaving cream or some nail polish and a manicure set. You can find gift items like these at TJ Maxx, Home Goods, Home At Last, Target, and many others.

#16 Puzzles for Days
Open the door for intense shoulder-to-shoulder time when you give the gift of puzzles. Pick a design that reflects a memory you share with your recipient(s) or select something they personally would enjoy. Dollar Tree carries a variety of puzzles made just for kids, as well 1000-piecers for the braver souls.

#17 Service Appointments
This idea isn’t so fancy, but it’s great for the practical people in your life who aren’t big gift-givers. Pay for an oil change, spray for weeds/pests, or repair a leaky faucet for your recipient. Women would love for someone to come and help them pick out paint colors, clean the baseboards, decorate for the holidays, organize their pantry, or babysit their kiddos!

#18 Sponsorships
Make a one-time donation or “adopt an animal” at a zoo for a fun, clutter-free gift. The non-profit will most likely send you a picture or literature that you can include with your gift. The only caution here is to make sure the sponsorship or donation is for a cause your recipient appreciates.

#19 Tours
You can conduct them yourself or find a local tour guide to introduce your gift recipient to the treasures at the local museum, behind the scenes at your zoo, through the gardens of an old plantation, or even historical landmarks in a nearby city.

#20 Treasure Hunts
Print off a map or a list of items your recipient will need to search for. Maybe it’s a list of famous barbecue joints, playgrounds, or statues. Include clues or facts in your treasure hunt and consider joining your recipient on the hunt to make memories together. You’ll have to do a bit of planning on the front end to pull this off, but it’s well worth the effort.

This post originally appeared on The Good Life.

​The holidays are here, which means that in the back of your mind you’ve got a nagging countdown to January. The power of January is incredible. It’s a task master staring at you with arms folded every time you think of it; ready to snap its fingers the minute you pick up another delicious holiday cookie or go for that leftover piece of pie. Once the holidays are over, January’s coming for you and you’ve got to be ready!

Ok, maybe your January isn’t that dramatic. Maybe January is hopeful because it reminds you of new beginnings and fresh starts. It’s clean and bright and the radio will return to its regularly scheduled programing. Until next year, Mariah Carey. 

Either way, January is only 9 days out, so lets get focused on how you can make the most of this pivotal month!
Clearing your home clears your mind. Prepare yourself to face all those resolutions head on with some simple guidelines to declutter, organize, and store your holiday décor:
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You know those boxes you put back up in the attic after you finished decorating for Christmas? Are those boxes empty or could there a few idle decorations hanging around? I think I know you're answer.

​If you couldn’t find a place to use those decorations this year, you won’t find a place next year. Toss, donate, or recycle all those extra snowman figurines and the blocks that spell out holiday words. You loved them at one time, we know. And they felt your love. It’s okay to let them go. Choose to start your holiday pack-up with empty containers instead of half-full of the things you don't use. Next December will thank you.
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​The threadbare linens, fraying hand towels, half-lit strings of lights, broken ornaments, and gaunt garlands can go. Be honest with yourself about broken items that need repair. If you won't get to fixing something within the next week, it's okay to discard it.

The white elephant gifts and random holiday mugs (unless you actually love and use holiday mugs) can go too. Don't get stuck keeping something out of guilt. Keep something because you love and will use it. I promise you that gift givers never intend to make you keep their token out of guilt. Unless we're talking about the King of Siam's White Elephant gifts; that's a different story.
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Cut the clutter by putting those new pajama pants you got as a gift where they belong and remove one (…or two…or three) pairs for donation or trash. The idea of getting NEW things is to replace the worn. I can promise you that your momma gave you those socks in hopes that you’d toss the ones without matches you secretly hide at the bottom of your drawer.

​This guideline also applies to the new decorations you bring into the house from after-Christmas sales. Those Hobby Lobby garlands sure will look nice next year, so please, please, please get rid of those old ones!

​Group your décor into categories and then put similar categories into the SAME bins. Keep all your ornaments in one bin, and use smaller boxes or containers inside the bin to protect the fragile. Keep outdoor décor in a separate bin. Don’t put the lights that go around your indoor tree in the same box as the lights for your outdoor bushes. That will just create more work for you next year when you unpack the decorations. Instead, keep your indoor tree lights with your artificial tree or with the lighted garland that hangs over your fireplace. Your categories will look different than your neighbor's. The goal is to save time next winter by sorting your décor now into categories that make sense to you! Check the comments section for some ideas!
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Take a look at the items that you plan to donate, recycle, or toss in the trash. It's possible that you've got a few items in the trash pile that should go into the recycle pile. "But I don't recycle!" That's ok. In fact, if you're in the Greenville, SC area, I have someone who will pick the items up for you. He's an honest retiree who scraps. You won't need to help him load a thing and he won't come knocking on your door. Simply contact us via email and we'll let you know when to leave these recycle items outside of your home:

​Find a large, flat area so that you have room for both your gift and your creative juices. You can use a table, the floor, or even the top of your washer/dryer (a personal favorite of mine).
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Large or odd-shaped items fit perfectly into bags, easily disguised with a bit of tissue paper. Flimsy items (like clothing) are best wrapped when placed in gift boxes first. There are many ways to wrap, but I've pulled together a couple of how-to videos to help you on your way. 

• Folding on the Diagonal (uses less paper; perfect if you are at the end of a roll and don't want to do a patch-job)
• Folding on the Center (how your mom taught ya)
• Getting the Perfect Corners (hint: double sided tape is your best friend)
• Filling a Gift Bag (only two sheets of tissue paper....TWO!)

​Special Note: I did NOT include the video of how to do a patch-job with multiple sheets of paper. This is NOT a best practice, albeit a creative one. The best way to avoid this situation from the start is to make sure you cut your paper large enough to encompass the entire gift (unless you’re trying to save paper and using the Diagonal Method above). If you’re gifting your lovely spouse a new water-saving toilet, then it MAY be acceptable to employ the patch-job as long as you also use the words, “Honey, this gift is going to help us save money every day! In keeping with that money-saving theme, I used up all the scrap wrapping paper from years past, because I love you.” This is appropriate, based on personal experience.

Can you believe December is here? Already? Wasn’t it just October?! Although I typically try to have all of my shopping completed before Thanksgiving, this year was a complete flop. As I brainstorm ideas for each loved one on my Christmas list, I’m struck with one thought: What if the gift I give brings temporary joy but then turns into clutter before summer?

Gifts are messages from the giver to the receiver. We attempt to communicate feelings such as love, care, concern, and the desire to elicit joy through our gift-giving. We never want someone to feel overwhelmed or guilty when they receive a gift from our hands. And yet, as a receiver, I have felt quite the opposite of the giver’s intentions….even when I KNOW the giver had GREAT intentions.

In our consumer-driving society, accumulation is happiness. It makes us feel good to give stuff! And it makes us feel extra good to get stuff. It’s not enough to have one, we must have two. And it’s not enough to get only the things we need, we also desire to get our wants. However, this stuff can come back to haunt us in space wasting, energy sapping, and time consuming ways.

​So how can we best communicate our love for others and elicit those joyous giggles without adding to our already packed homes? Think experiences, not items. The time spent together, sharing and building memories, is worth more than any toy or gadget. You’ll be investing in the “gift” that you’ll be able to treasure for a lifetime. Additionally, research has shown that giving the gift of time together reduces stress and strengthens relationships.
Whether you’re shopping for a short activity or one that lasts all year long, check out these experiences right here in Greenville, SC! 
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Several of the museums listed below are conveniently located at Heritage Green.

• Bob Jones Museum & Gallery*
• Greenville Museum of Art (free)
• Miniature World of Trains
• Museum & Library of Confederate History (free)
• Roper Mountain Science Center*
• Shoeless Joe Jackson Museum & Baseball Library (free)
• The Children’s Museum of the Upstate*
• Upcountry History Museum*

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Know someone who has an insatiable thirst for knowledge?

• At The Chef’s Table
• Downtown Driving Tour
• Greenville BBQ Trail (click on the “Tours” tab on the top right for more information)
• Historic Neighborhoods & Architecture (click on the “Tours” tab on the top right for more information)
• Horseback Waterfall Tours
• West End Walking Tour

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If music, art, and acting thrill your soul, then you’ll love what Greenville has to offer!

• Color Clay Cafe* (pottery painting)
• Glazing Pot (pottery painting)
• Greenville Little Theater
• Greenville Symphony Orchestra (at The Peace Center)
• Greer Cultural Arts (performing arts)
• South Carolina Children’s Theater
• The Peace Center* (performing arts)

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Encounter animals large and small!

• Greenville Zoo*
• Hollywild*

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Have an athlete in the family or someone who loves to be on the move? These events and activities are jam packed with hoots and hollers!

• Bon Secours Wellness Arena* (variety of events including Swamp Rabbits)
• Gravitopia  (trampoline)
• Greenville Drive* (baseball)
• Greenville Rec Pavilion Bounce House*
• Greenville Rec Waterparks  
• Golden Lanes & Golden Skates (bowling & roller skating)
• Ice On Main (ice skating)
• Mountain Goat Indoor Rock Climbing
• Palmetto State Armory (firing range)
• Roller Sports (roller skating)
• Skateland (roller skating)
• Sky Zone* (trampoline)
• Sky Diving Greenville
• Swamp Rabbits (hockey)

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Everyone deserves a little pampering. These are great gifts for busy moms who need a little break!

• Greenville Fitness & Rehab* (massage)
• Renew Salon*
• Spa Venus*

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If you’re looking for an extended experience, consider giving the gift of tuition!

• Airborne Athletics* (gymnastics for kids)
• Bermuda Triangle Scuba
• Bricks 4 Kidz (lego construction for kids)
• Cakes By U (cake decorating for kids & adults)
• Charleston Cooks (cooking)
• Creating Artists for Tomorrow
• Fred Astaire Dance Studio
• Greenville Aviation*
• Greenville Hurricanes (sports, including archery)
• Kroc Center (sports)
• Lifesavers of America (CPR)
• NoteAbility* (music)
• Plate 108 (cooking for kids & adults)
• Sew Creative* (sewing)
• Sylvan (robotics & coding for kids)
• Whispering Pines (horseback riding)
• Woodcraft (woodworking)
• YMCA (sports)

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These gifts can become experiences when you shop together for a need or local ministry. Even young children can experience the joy of giving!

• Miracle Hill Ministries*
• Piedmont Women’s Center*
• Soteria Community Development Corp*

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If you’re not ready to completely transition from gifts to experiences, consider limiting your purchases to one item from each category.

• Something to Read
• Something they Need
• Something to Wear
• Something they Want

 
There are hundreds of other activities that you can do as a family, such as hiking or serving at a soup kitchen, that were not mentioned in this list.