Thoughtful Gift Giving this Holiday Season

My first holiday catalog arrived yesterday. I’m sure I would have received loads more if I hadn’t significantly reduced my catalog haul through Greendimes. I’ve already started a little shopping list for gifts and my kids have both started mentioning things they just “can’t live without.” I can’t wait to see what talking-eating-shitting doll my daughter will dream up for her holiday wish list this year!

This Christmas will be different than last–Christmas of 2006 was the holiday season when we were consumer-free, so we really didn’t purchase much (well…relatively speaking). This year, I’m making the committment to shop thoughtfully again–but I won’t be as hard core as last year. First, I’ll have more information about my upcoming Giving Party soon. If you attend, you’ll have an opportunity to purchase donations as gifts for family, friends, teachers and coaches. I’ll start my shopping there, then I’m hoping to purchase the rest of my gifts from local artists.

If you’re a triangle dweller ready to start your shopping early, here’s a great chance to stock up on local arts and crafts. Whimsical Women is coming back to Chapel Hill! Mark your calendars for Saturday, October 20th from 10am-2pm in the Town Square of Southern Village. Women artists will be there selling their funky art for you, your yard and home. Look for Lulugroove (my sister, Paige) among the artists. Her dolls are amazing and she has fabulous vintage clothing with a cool new twist. I’m bummed because I’ll be out of town that Saturday, but if you’re around, I highly recommend this festival. The art is awesome, the food is delicious, and it’s just a great way to spend a Saurday hanging out with groovy women! Only 90 shopping days left until Christmas!

Living with Less

Dick Gordon interviews Chris McNaught on The Story today. Chris made the decision to rid himself of unnecessary items in his home and live with just 500 things. We’ve definitely simplified, and I continue to get rid of all that we don’t need, use or love. But I’m sure I’d be amazed at how much we still have. I’m guessing we possess a good 4-5000 things around our house. Don’t look for me to put together any Kersh family inventories anytime soon!

I was disappointed to hear that hotty-host Dick Gordon prefers to keep his messy work space just the way it is. Apparently, another organizer beat me to the punch, and repeatedly offered to help declutter his desk (was that you, Geralin?), but he refused. I guess I’ll just have to settle for hearing his voice on the radio and occasionally seeing his face online.

A Giving Party…in the works

Did anyone catch Oprah yesterday? Her guest was Bill Clinton, promoting his new book, “Giving.” The show also featured the founders of Kiva.org, and I just recently heard a story on NPR about this organization that allows everyday people to make microloans to entrepreneurs in developing nations.

On the heels of watching this show, I checked email to find TWO invitations to “sip and shop” parties–you know, jewelry shows, trunk shows, Southern Living Home Shows, where you bring a friend, drink wine and spend money on stuff…that kind of party. All of this created the perfect storm of an idea…why not host a “Giving Party”–serve wine, invite every woman I know and ask them to bring a friend, and rather than purchasing a bunch of stuff we could probably all live without, have laptops available around the house and allow people to GIVE (anonymously, to kiva.org or other worthy organizations).

I’m still letting the idea float around in my head for a few days to work out the details. But I really think I’d like to do this sometime this fall. I figured if I put it on my blog, you’d hold me to it! Share your input and let me know if you have ideas or have ever attempted to throw such a party. And if you Tivo’d Oprah yesterday, I encourage you to watch it. It was a very inspiring show!

Happy Labor Day!

It’s Labor Day weekend–school is back, it’s finally not 1000 degrees in North Carolina, and I’m starting to get that feeling that fall is just around the corner. If you have plans to tackle a home project this long weekend, I thought I’d share a few reminders about the pay-offs of pitching, giving away, recycling or repurposing the things that fill your home, office, car (and sometimes your head!).

1. Regain lost time –The average person wastes 50 minutes a day looking for stuff (that is often buried under clutter).

2. Make cleaning easier –Your house is easier to clean when there is less stuff lying around (in fact, if you clear off surfaces you’ll spend half the time tidying up).

3. Save money — Organizing your mail and bills will cut down on unnecessary late fees. (Isn’t your electric bill already high enough this summer?).

4. Share the love — Ask yourself “Do I love this, use it regularly, or truly need it?” If you can’t answer yes to any of those questions, pass it on to someone who will.

5. Teach your children well — Your children are watching and learning from your relationship with stuff. Pass along a positive relationship to belongings by teaching them to get rid of toys they no longer play with.

6. Reduce stress — We all carry around a little unnecessary stuff in our heads as well as our homes. Find a way to empty your head of unwanted mental clutter by writing it down, talking it out, or distracting yourself with something more positive or fun.

7. Get rich quick –You may have valuable possessions sitting around your home collecting dust. If you’re not going to use your Great Grandmother’s silver, consider selling it on eBay, Craig’s List or to an antiques dealer. Then use the cash to take your family on a vacation they’ll never forget. Better to have memories to treasure than treasures to trip over!

8. Work less — Evaluate the clutter in your office so you’re not spinning your wheels at work. Increase your efficiency by decluttering your work space (and your computer desktop) so you can clock out at 5pm and enjoy more quality time with the ones you love.

9. Drive happy — Perhaps you feel as if you live out of your car, but really, should it look (and smell!) like you do? Lighten up drive time by decluttering your car of snack wrappers, receipts from the 90’s, random CD cases, and anything else that keeps your time on the road from being safe and peaceful.

10. Save your life — Do you want to end up like the Bronx, New York, man who, in 2003, was trapped in his home under an avalanche of books and newspapers for two days before being rescued? Don’t get stuck all your stuff!

These thoughts are recycled from my August Newsletter “Neat Freak News.” If you want more organizational ideas, you can sign up for my free newsletter at my website. Happy Labor Day!