8 Things We Forget to Do During the Holidays

The holidays can be a crazy time here are some things we often forget to do during the holidays. What is something you forget to do during the holidays?

Take time for ourselves. Relax and go schedule that spa appointment or quality time alone.
Buy batteries. Stock up on extra batteries for all of those toys and electronics that may need batteries.
Clean the fridge. Make way for all the delicious food coming your way.
Check mail deadlines. Don't forget to check deadlines for shipping items.
Budget. Don't go overboard and consider giving clutter-free gifts like experiences.
Make freezer meals. For nights you are insanely busy and don't want to cook.
Say no. Don't over commit to the things that will bring you stress.
Make a packing list. Traveling? Don't forget to make a list of your must have essentials like your passport or tickets to an event you're attending.

Photo by Emanuel Hahn on Unsplash

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15+ Ways to Stay Calm During the Holiday Season

It is no secret that the holiday season can be stressful and frustrating. As a concierge in a big city like Houston, I am pulled 5 million different directions constantly. Here are some ways to stay calm during the holiday season.

• Begin your day by meditating.
• Go for a 30 minute walk.
• Jump on a trampoline for 15 minutes.
• Read a book.
• Cook or bake a new recipe. 
• Sit and watch a movie with no distractions.
• Go for a bike ride.
• Do yoga.
• Write down what you are thankful for.
• Write a letter to someone who did something nice for you.
• Give back.
• Talk to a neighbor, friend or family on the phone you.
• Say thank you.
• Decorate your house a little at a time.
• Choose to look at the positive of the holiday season.
• So NO to things you don't want to do.

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15+ Tips for an Eco Friendly Holiday Season

The holidays can revolve around a lot of material things. Here are some eco friendly was to make your holiday season a little more eco friendly by choosing greener options.

• Recycle your Christmas tree. 
• Buy energy efficient LED lights.
• Give back. 
• Use recycled materials like recycled paper or cloth when wrapping presents.
• Buy carbon credits from sites like TerraPass if you are traveling this holiday season. 
• If you are deciding on where to travel choose and eco friendly or green destination.
• Support local when having your holiday feast. 
• Sponsor a family in need. 
• Give experience gifts rather than stuff. 
• Draw names and only give one gift. This reduces waste and lessens the stress.
• Utilize timers to save on usage. 
• Use nature as a way to decorate. 
• If you are going to different holiday activities with others, carpool.
• Compost leftovers.
• Send digital cards.
• Use non-disposable plates, glasses, flatware and napkins.
• Buy organic or biodynamic wine and alcohol. 

Photo by Jeremy Gallman on Unsplash

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2018 Holiday Intention

I talked about my holiday intention last year and did really well planning early again this year, especially on the gift giving side of things and with my calendar. Of course there will always be chaos that ensues, but for now I hope to be well prepared as possible for the busy holiday season.  This year my holiday intention was to give back more and it came in unexpected ways.

I am the philanthropy director for the National Concierge Association of Greater Houston and this year our give back project is to bring donations for MD Anderson's Children's Cancer Hospital to our December meeting. Plus, I am rallying my neighbor's like I do most years and some of them will be contributing this year as well. 

Then I was helping Heroes for Children this year and decided to sponsor a whole family instead of a child. Hope this family will have some holiday joy. 

Then of course, there will be volunteer projects sprinkled in this holiday season. 

What is your holiday intention?

Photo by Joanna Kosinska on Unsplash

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Happy Hanukkah!

Happy Hanukkah to all of my clients, colleagues and friends!

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15+ Ways a Personal Concierge can help you stay sane during the holidays

The is a repost from years past, but still relevant. 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. 

Photo by rawpixel on Unsplash

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2018 Fun Advent Calendars

There are so many fun and different advent calendars on the market these days. Growing up I looked forward to going to my grandparents house and moving the little "ornament" onto the the advent calendar for each day. Some of these advent calendars I bought to give as gifts and so far they have been a big hit. Do you have any unique advent calendars you love?

• Wine
• Sugarfina
• Bonne Maman
• LEGO
• Beer
• Sephora
• Tea
• Jo Malone
• Lindt

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2018 Holiday Gift Guide: Pet Supplies

Pet Teepee: This is a fun and playful addition to your home for your pets.

PetBrush by Wet Brush: Just like the adult Wet Brushes, but for pets.

Pet Medical Kit: You never know when something will happen.

Kiehl's Pet Grooming Products: Always need to keep the pets clean.

Cat House: A great addition to any modern home.

Bird House: Such a fun bird house for any bird lovers.

Driver's License Dog Tag: We got this for our dog and think it is super fun.

Modern Pet Bowl: All pets need to eat and drink.

Emotional Support Registration: This is great if you want to take your pet on a flight with you.

LiquidVet: Helps canines with their joints.

Fish Hideaway: Fun addition to any fish tank.

Rabbit Hutch: Perfect for any family that has rabbits.

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Houston Professional Organizers #1 Tips for an Organized and Stress Free Holiday Season

Last month I asked some of my fellow NAPO Houston organizers and business partners #1 tips for an organized and stress free holiday season and below are their tips. What is your tip for a stress free holiday season?

Adonna Braly of Clutter Roundup: "Give experiences, not gifts. https://www.cloud9living.com/"

Naomi Kealy of Charming Spaces: "Make a list for each person you're buying for so you don't forget anything or anyone. I send my kid's lists to the grandparents too!"

Michelle Smithpeter of Pretty Practical Spaces: "As you open up your seasonal decorations, attach detailed labels to each of the tubs/boxes/bags, so you know what goes back where!  And it makes next year that much easier ""

Ann Zanon of A2Z Organizing Solutions: "I keep a list of what I gave to whom every year so I don't duplicate but as Adonna said, we don't give a lot of stuff. I also don't usually give friend gifts. Instead, for many years, I have held a Cookie Decorating Party as my gift to my friends. I bake all the cookies, provide everything except a platter for them to take cookies home and we spend a Sunday afternoon, just ladies, decorating cookies, listening to Christmas music and laughing." 

Mary Jo Contello of Organized by MJ: "Make a list of everything you have to do leading up to the holiday including decorate thetree, bake, buy gifts and list the names and etc. Then try to plug dates with the task."

Dena Wilson of Places! Professional Organizing: "Do as much in advance as possible!"


Ellen Delap of Professional-organizer.com: "Start early! Prioritize. It’s not about doing it all. It’s about doing what has the most meaning."

Tammy Atchison of The Busy Corner: "Know your limits. It’s ok to set boundaries."

Elizabeth Wood of Clean Moving Crates: "Stock up now on hostess gifts and client appreciation gifts. I keep a stock of repurposed wine-bottle candles from Hanh Tran - she also has other glass bottles than wine that she has cut and smoothed - they are a unique and inexpensive gift that supports a local artist. I keep a drawer stocked so I just grab one as I leave for the event - it keeps me from having to stress about giving "the right thing.""


Donna Matthews of Slay the Chaos: "Simple Does It. Let it Go. A place for everything and everything a place Your Way! Also, rather than a ton of "stuff" I love to use scent to transform my home - candles, tea, oils, coffees" 💕"


Suzanne Langford of Re-Vision It!: "Putting up the big tree can sometimes be overwhelming, I now have a handful of small, 3-4 ft artificial pre-lit trees in pots. Each one is stored in its own box with one small subset of ornaments/decor and an extension cord. I can easily put one or two up at a time in 10 or 15 minutes (including tree fluffing). It naturally breaks up the decorating in manageable chunks. If I get to the big, tree, great. If not, I have lovely small trees all around! Suzanne Langford, Re-Vision It!"


Amy Vance of Eco Modern Concierge: "Start early! It makes the holidays so much more less stressful. Also, create a holiday binder with November & December calendar pages, gift lists, receipts, timelines, budgets, etc."

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Last Minute Valentine's Day Gift

Last minute gift Valentine's Day gift for your lover: Letters to my love. Can't go wrong with writing a simple love letter.

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2018 Valentine's Day Gift Guide For Him & Her

Do you get your spouse a gift for Valentine's Day? I am always happy if I only get a card. Here are some joint ideas for both him and her. Some are just for the Houston area, while others you can get anywhere.

Pizza Oven: this looks like a fun thing for everyone to use, especially if you like pizza.

Rodeo Tickets: The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is right around the corner and you can get tickets to see your favorite performer or you tickets to just go to the carnival.

Houston Brew Pass: Is beer y'alls thing? Then think about the brew pass and visit some great breweries throughout the city.

Reflexology: This is one of our favorite places in Houston and feels awesome.

Eco Modren Concierge: Shameless plug. Hire a professional organizer or concierge company to help you accomplish those tasks you have been putting off.

MoviePass: We got these for Christmas and LOVE them. You pay $10 a month and get to see up to one movie a day.

Southwest gift card: Love traveling? Make plans to go somewhere fun!

Super Nintendo NES Classic: I got this for my husband for Christmas and he loves it. So do I!

Tent: We have this tent and love it! So easy to put up. Now plan your camping adventure.


All photos from the websites linked.

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