Client Testimonial about Helping During the Holidays

This testimonial above is exactly why we love helping clients get organized during the holidays. Often times we become too stressed and make non well thought out decisions during the holidays. When you hire us for organizing or concierge services during the holidays our goal it to make it as stress free as possible for you. I know a good chunk of the holiday season is still 2 months away, but now is a great time to start thinking about things. 

What is a common task or area you need help with the most during the holidays? 

ecomodernconcierge.com

Houston Professional Organizer // Holiday Closet Before & After

A professional organizer's dream is looking at organized spaces and this holiday closet organization project does the trick. We always have so much fun at this client's house and have made some fun transformations in this River Oaks Houston home. They wanted all of their holiday supplies organized and easily accessible, so that is what we did. We organized each box by holiday or type of event like Christmas, 4th of July, etc. Are your holiday decorations organized?

Here is what we did:

1. Took everything out of the closet.
2. Sorted by type like all ornaments together, Thanksgiving, etc.
3. Wrapped all the ornaments and made sure they were secure. 
4. Organized into bins. 
5. Labeled. 
6. Put like holidays together on the shelves.

Here are some items we used for this project:

• Crinkle paper
• Cushion wrap
• Big clear containers
• Index Labels
• Label Maker
• Clear labels for label maker

Before:

After:

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Eco Modern Concierge is Now Booking Holiday Appointments

 

I know it’s early, but we are currently booking holiday appointments! 🎄 🕎 🎁 Thanks for all that have already pre-booked decorating, gift wrapping and event help! We service corporate and residential clients. Feel free to visit ecomodernconcierge.com or email us at info@ecomodernconcierge.com to get on the books. 

Here are some services that we specialize in:

• We offer gift wrapping for individuals and businesses. This is a great way to reduce stress and a benefit for you or your employees during the holidays.

• Individuals - we can help you wrap gifts and get you ready for the holidays

• Businesses and holiday parties - Send us an email at info@ecomodernconcierge.com for rates and more information as there is 2 options available. This is great for small businesses, departments within larger companies, at holiday parties if you are having guests over, and the list goes on & on. Here is what is included:

  • 2 professional gift wrappers

  • 3 hours, all day or we can customize

  • All supplies

  • Discount if you use our services during the holidays.

  • Company pays a set fee and employees or residents pay the happy gift wrappers in tips OR employees or residents pay for services and we charge per package.

• Holiday decorating services
• Errands
• Address and mail holiday cards
• Gift research
• Booking reservations
• Coordinating holiday activities
• Buy gifts and customize gift lists for you
• Ship items
• Get house organized for the holidays
• Organize events help
• Event help set up, errands and behind the scenes help like running to get that extra ice or extra alcohol you need
• Stock the bar and fridge
• Wait services
• THE OPTIONS ARE ENDLESS. Don’t see it here, just email or call and ask!

ecomodernconcierge.com

Professional Organizer's Holiday Binder to Help You Get Organized During The Holidays

As a professional organizer based in Houston, TX it is vital that I stay organized for my clients and myself during the holidays. This video shows the importance of the holiday binder and how I use it personally to stay organized during the holidays. How do you stay organized during the holidays?

ecomodernconcierge.com

5 Things to Organize This Weekend: Last Minute Holiday Organization

Christmas is just days away and you are scrambling to get everything done.

Here are 5 things you can organize this weekend:

Plan. Set out dishes you will need, clothes you know you are going to wear, make to-do lists with top priorities, etc. This will help things go so much smoother.

Get rid of all old food in the fridge. Do a quick scan of your refrigerator and get rid of anything that is expired, you don't need or leftovers that have just been sitting in there.

Spot check the guest room. If you have guests coming over make sure the room is tidy, you have clean sheets for them, extra hygiene products, etc.

Use Amazon Prime &/or Amazon Prime Now. If you haven't finished your shopping yet utilize Amazon to get your last minute gifts in or give clutter free gifts like experiences, tickets, etc.

Delegate or outsource. If you know you will not be able to get everything done, delegate to others &/or outsource what you need done.

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Photo by Sam Beasley on Unsplash

10 Last Minute Things to Do to Get Organized for the Holidays

Christmas is a little more than 2 weeks away and you are scrambling to get things done. Here are some small tips to keep you on track and less stressed.

1. Amazon Prime. Amazon is great for so many things gifts, household items, etc. 
2. Make a master to do list of thing that needs to get done. Delegate tasks to different individuals in your household. You can't always do everything by yourself, so ask for help.
3. Create a timeline of what needs to be done and when. This will help you get a grasp on what exactly needs to be done and then you can figure out what things you can get done a what days. This helps you eliminate things that aren't necessary and prioritize properly.
4. Don't overbuy. When you are stressed and don't know what to do, people often times tend to overbuy. Try hard not to do this by looking at your master list. This will save you many and stress of buying too much. 
5. Make some food ahead of time and freeze. There many things you can pre chop and freeze, make ahead of time, etc. Pie crusts and cookie dough are common things to make ahead of time and freeze.
6. Hire professional help. If you have so much to do and not enough time it may be worth your while to hire a professional like Eco Modern Concierge ;). Hiring professionals can often times save you lots of time and money. Houston has lots of options for concierges and professional organizers. 
7. Set up a gift wrapping station. This way all of your supplies are all in one place and aren't scattered throughout your house. 
8. Treat Yourself. I know you are probably thinking oh gosh I have to get SO much done, but really take a break and go get a pedicure or go to a park or do something where you can relax. This will help you focus on what you need to do with more clarity.
9. Focus on the true meaning of the season. It's not always about gifts and being perfect.
10. Take a Deep Breath. If you don't get everything done that is ok. So what? What is the worse that can happen. 

ecomodernconcierge.com

2017 Holiday Gift Guide: Organization Gifts

Reusable Bags: I love mesh bags for all kinds of things from toting around office supplies to travel supplies.

New Order Book: This is a great organizing book. Full of all kinds of tips and tricks.

Blind Cleaner: Jump start on your spring cleaning with this blind cleaner.

6-in-1 Tool: This thing is always so handy to have around. I use it on all kinds of organizing projects.

Microfiber Towel: Microfiber towels are great for all kinds of things and I tote them around with me on projects.

Eco Modern Concierge Gift Certificate: Shameless plug. If you need help getting organized give us a call. EMC gift certificates make GREAT gifts.

Metal Bookplates: I use these all the time on organizing projects. They give organization projects a polished look.

Magazine Holder: I have been eyeing these since earlier this year. They are the perfect addition to any office.

Sharpies: These are always a must for various organization projects. The different colors are perfect to add color when making list or using on your planner.

Magnetic Cord Holder: Contain those cords with these magnets cord holders.

Lightening Flash Drive: This is perfect for getting all those photos off of your phone and onto your computer.

Basket: This is a stylish, inexpensive basket to help contain clutter.

ecomodernconcierge.com

All photos from the links provided for each item

Utilizing a Personal Concierge During the Holidays

This time of year is super busy for so many people and you can get overwhelmed really quickly. I have many clients here in Houston who use me for various daily tasks and the holidays are no exception. Hiring a personal concierge is easy there are several in Houston and all over. Here are some things that they can help you with.

• Gift Research. I often times get hired to research various gifts, but have an extensive list of go to gifts that I like to give or that I know are a hit. Here in Houston there are various stores I know that I can find the perfect gifts.
• Shop. This is one of the biggest things I get utilized for during the holidays. There are so many gifts that get bought and given 
• Help Decorate. Sometimes you just can't do it all and need help. 
• Donation Drop Off. There is a ton of giving back during the holidays and I often drop off donations for others.
• Organize. Since I am a professional organizer, I often help with general organization in businesses and around the home. This really helps clients destress and not worry as much during the holidays. 
• Gift Wrapping. The key is to find stores like Kuhl-Linscomb that gift wrap for free, but if not then use a personal concierge. I often do this for clients and have so much fun.
• Shipping. I ship a TON during the holidays. The key is to ship early when lines are not as long. Many of personal concierges charge by the hour, so shipping early can save you time and money. 
• Write, Address, Stamp and Mail Holiday Cards. This gets outsourced a lot because usually when people send out holiday cards they send out a lot. 
• Corporate Gift Buying. Lots of companies give gifts to employees, clients and colleagues and this is something they use concierges to assist them with. 
• Party Prep. This is a big one because so many people host holiday parties. 
• Book Travel. A ton of people travel during the holidays and a concierge can help with flights, hotel reservations, car rental, booking activities, etc. 
• Grocery Shop. So many groceries to be bought during the holidays. 
• Guest Prep. If you have guests coming into town a personal concierge can help with prepping for their arrival from getting rooms organized to arranging pick up for them to buying gifts. 
• Basic Errands. I help clients with all kinds of basic errands they just don't have time to do. 

Virtual Concierge Help
I have had others hire me to help them with holiday tasks virtually as well. Here are some holiday things that I often get asked to help with virtually.

• Buy and Ship Gifts. If there are items that can be purchased and shipped online, then that is what I help with.
• Order and Mail Holiday Cards. This often times can be done anywhere.
• Arrange for Professional Services. I often help arrange for services like house cleaning, organizing, catering, etc. to come in and help during the holidays. 
• Book Travel. Just like above this is something that a concierge can help with.
• Send Alcohol and Flowers. I arrange for bottles of wine and liquor to be delivered for clients. As well as, flowers and plants. 

ecomodernconcierge.com

How to Get Organized for Thanksgiving

I wrote this post last year, but thought I would repost.

Thanksgiving is only a few short weeks away so now is great time to start planning for it if you haven't already started.

• Create a Thanksgiving binder. This binder will hold everything you need from to-do list to meal plans. There are all kinds of checklist that you can search for online that will give you time lines of Thanksgiving prepping. I am not going to reinvent the wheel this year ;) and figured you could just do a quick search. 
• Write a to-do list. Make a list of everything you need to do this includes what you are cooking, linens you will be using, dishes you will be using, decorations, guests, gratitude notes, games, etc.
• Declutter. If there are dishes or decorations you have been hanging onto for years and you no longer have a use for or you just don't like them. Donate them. Decluttering will help you feel less stressed.
• Meal Plan. Plan what you will be serving and what dishes guests will be bringing.
• Create a grocery and liquor store list. Make a list of everything you will need from the grocery and liquor store, this includes food, flowers, beer, etc.
• Schedule to clean your house or hire a house cleaner. Get it on the books at least 2-3 days before guests arrive that way you won't stress too much about it.
• Order your turkey and buy non perishable items. Try to get items ahead of time that you know you can get especially canned or frozen items.
• Plan to finish 2 days before Thanksgiving. Obviously you will not have all of your cooking out of the way, but plan to wrap most everything up on by the Tuesday the week of Thanksgiving. This will give you ample time to think about all of the things you may have forgotten about. Make sure to set the table ahead of time as well.
• Label. Set out all serving dishes about of time and label what will be going in them. Make labels for the meals if you want guests to know what is in them. Make name tags. 
• Plan for to -go containers. I love these Reynolds Heat & Eat containers, which are in a blog post coming up. 
• Accept help. If you someone sees that you are overwhelmed and offers to help you, accept it! It will be a relief in so many ways. 
• Relax. Go get reflexology, pedicure, a massage or something to help you relax. 

ecomodernconcierge.com

Photo by rawpixel.com on Unsplash

Tip Tuesday: Save for the Holidays

I was reading an Angie's List article last month that came in the mail and thought they had a great idea in there that I wanted to share. In order to help save for the holidays, start buying gift cards to your favorite stores you frequent during the holidays. Purchase them weekly, monthly, every pay period or whatever works best for you. Then when the holidays role around you will be prepared financially and will not be as stressed out. As a concierge and professional organizer, I think this is a great tip and I've used it myself. I am not sure about other places, but in Houston there are often many sales close to the holidays or discount cards you can use at various stores. Happy stress-free shopping!

ecomodernconcierge.com

10 Last Minute Things to Do to Get Organized for the Holidays

Christmas is less than 2 weeks away and you are scrambling to get things done. Here are some small tips to keep you on track and less stressed.

1. Amazon Prime. Amazon is great for so many things gifts, household items, etc. 
2. Make a master to do list of thing that needs to get done. Delegate tasks to different individuals in your household. You can't always do everything by yourself, so ask for help.
3. Create a timeline of what needs to be done and when. This will help you get a grasp on what exactly needs to be done and then you can figure out what things you can get done a what days. This helps you eliminate things that aren't necessary and prioritize properly.
4. Don't overbuy. When you are stressed and don't know what to do, people often times tend to overbuy. Try hard not to do this by looking at your master list. This will save you many and stress of buying too much. 
5. Make some food ahead of time and freeze. There many things you can pre chop and freeze, make ahead of time, etc. Pie crusts and cookie dough are common things to make ahead of time and freeze.
6. Hire professional help. If you have so much to do and not enough time it may be worth your while to hire a professional like Eco Modern Concierge ;). Hiring professionals can often times save you lots of time and money. Houston has lots of options for concierges and professional organizers. 
7. Set up a gift wrapping station. This way all of your supplies are all in one place and aren't scattered throughout your house. 
8. Treat Yourself. I know you are probably thinking oh gosh I have to get SO much done, but really take a break and go get a pedicure or go to a park or do something where you can relax. This will help you focus on what you need to do with more clarity.
9. Focus on the true meaning of the season. It's not always about gifts and being perfect.
10. Take a Deep Breath. If you don't get everything done that is ok. So what? What is the worse that can happen. 

ecomodernconcierge.com

How to Get Organized for Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is only a few short weeks away so now is great time to start planning for it if you haven't already started.

• Create a Thanksgiving binder. This binder will hold everything you need from to-do list to meal plans. There are all kinds of checklist that you can search for online that will give you time lines of Thanksgiving prepping. I am not going to reinvent the wheel this year ;) and figured you could just do a quick search. 
• Write a to-do list. Make a list of everything you need to do this includes what you are cooking, linens you will be using, dishes you will be using, decorations, guests, gratitude notes, games, etc.
• Declutter. If there are dishes or decorations you have been hanging onto for years and you no longer have a use for or you just don't like them. Donate them. Decluttering will help you feel less stressed.
• Meal Plan. Plan what you will be serving and what dishes guests will be bringing.
• Create a grocery and liquor store list. Make a list of everything you will need from the grocery and liquor store, this includes food, flowers, beer, etc.
• Schedule to clean your house or hire a house cleaner. Get it on the books at least 2-3 days before guests arrive that way you won't stress too much about it.
• Order your turkey and buy non perishable items. Try to get items ahead of time that you know you can get especially canned or frozen items.
• Plan to finish 2 days before Thanksgiving. Obviously you will not have all of your cooking out of the way, but plan to wrap most everything up on by the Tuesday the week of Thanksgiving. This will give you ample time to think about all of the things you may have forgotten about. Make sure to set the table ahead of time as well.
• Label. Set out all serving dishes about of time and label what will be going in them. Make labels for the meals if you want guests to know what is in them. Make name tags. 
• Plan for to -go containers. I love these Reynolds Heat & Eat containers, which are in a blog post coming up. 
• Accept help. If you someone sees that you are overwhelmed and offers to help you, accept it! It will be a relief in so many ways. 
• Relax. Go get reflexology, pedicure, a massage or something to help you relax. 

ecomodernconcierge.com