Getting Organized Ahead of the Holidays

Keeping The Holiday Season Stress-Free & Under Control

We’ve all been there – the holiday season feels far away until it’s too late. Traffic jams, late-night shopping trips, and time spent scratching your head, wondering if you forgot anyone on your list may feel like unavoidable elements of the holiday season. Here’s a thought experiment: imagine feeling prepared, calm, and blissfully present with your loved ones this Christmas. Here are a few ways to get organized now – before it’s too late.

• Make a calendar. An advent calendar is cute – but won’t help you remember key dates. As early as you can, write down all of the upcoming events you can think of on a paper or digital calendar. Include things like family parties, work gatherings, school-related events, performances and recitals, days when your family members are off school or work, travel dates, and any other special traditions you want to be able to look forward to. You might as well include December birthdays or anniversaries. After all, if there is one time of the year you’re likely to forget a birthday, it’s the holidays. 
• Make a gift list. Include everyone you plan on giving gifts to this year – family members, friends, colleagues, neighbors, etc. Be as specific as you can about things you’d like to give everyone on your list. 
• Prepare your house for holiday fun. A bit of cleaning and de-cluttering can go a long way during the holidays. If you’ve been delaying scrubbing out the refrigerator or vacuuming under the sofa, now is the time to get tidy. Make space for any special holiday decorations in your house – a Christmas tree, a menorah, floral accents, etc. If your gift list is long, consider transforming a surface into a wrapping station so that you have everything you need to making wrapping gifts a fun experience when the time comes.
• Plan your meals. If you’re hosting family and friends at any point during the holidays, think about what you plan on cooking and make yourself a recipe list ahead of time. This way, you’ll know what to shop for, how long to prepare on the day of your event, and when people ask you what they can bring, you’ll know exactly what to say.
• Make room to relax. The holidays can be stressful! While the big festivities are still a few weeks out, plan some time to enjoy yourself, either on your own or with your family. If there is a special tradition you enjoy doing with your spouse or children, try to fit in a bit of relaxing beforehand so that you can fully enjoy the special moments that make the season so important. 

It’s easy to get swept away by all of the things to do around the holidays. Allen’s Flower Market is here to bring festive touches to your holiday celebrations when it comes to flowers. Flowers are an ideal gift option for all sorts of people on your list, from colleagues to classmates to inlaws. Our holiday flowers are fresh, fragrant, and affordable. A bouquet like Holiday Boutique is a stand-out expression of the season. A Festive Poinsettia Plant is another gift idea that speaks to friendship and admiration.

Allen’s Flower Market offers same-day delivery to make your holiday shopping as seamless and hassle-free as possible. Our floral team loves to create custom arrangements if you have a particular gift idea in mind. Visit one of our locations in Long Beach, San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles, or Sunland-Tujunga to experience our floral masterpieces in person.