It's that time again. And part of enjoying the season is the tradition of gift- giving and receiving. It's a wonderful time to be thinking of others...thinking about what gifts to give our family and friends. And it's always fun to receive gifts as well.

All too often, though, the result of this generous gift giving and gracious receiving is clutter: too many toys for an already overflowing toy box, a sweater or necktie that will never be worn, household items that don't match the recipient's decor, a coffee table book that will be placed on the coffee table and never opened.

This all comes at a time when many of us are trying to reduce the clutter in our homes. The good news is that, with a little forethought, we can select gifts that won't add to the clutter. It's important to remember, however, that a gift that you know the recipient wants, will use, and will love is not clutter. Here are some other ideas for a clutter-free holiday season.

Gifts of service: An hour or more of babysitting, housecleaning, dog walking, lawn-mowing, or raking. You might give a gift of yarn and a gift certificate offering instructions to a friend who is interested in learning.

Consumables: Food like chocolate, cookies, coffee, fruit, nuts, wine and cheese; cosmetics, such as soap, scrubs, scented lotions or shaving creams; things most people will use, like motor oil and window washer fluid.

Gift Cards: To a favorite store or restaurant, movie theater or sporting event. For a spa massage, hairstyling, manicure or pedicure. For e-books and music. This is all entertainment...without the clutter.

Practical Gifts: Stationery, thank you notes, and stamps are handy gifts this time of year, and once you use them, they are out of your house.

Gifts of Time: Give each of your children or grandchildren a certificate for a special day doing something they especially like to do.

Gifts of Comfort and Joy: A box of taper candles to match a friend's dining area, or a scented candle in a fragrance you know they love. A snuggly blanket in a fabric and color your child will cherish for years. A live evergreen wreath that will be enjoyed and then recycled.

Gifts of Giving: A gift to the recipient's favorite cause, perhaps a check to a homeless shelter, a bag of dog food to an animal rescue, or a book to their local library...in their name.

With a little thought and ingenuity, you'll be able to come up with lots of other ways you can give the gift of a non-cluttered holiday season. And when people ask you for your wish list, you can use this article as a reminder of things to include on it to avoid adding clutter to your own life.

For super quick details, and a great video, about the world's sharpest knives, visit:

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Did you know that there's nothing more dangerous in the kitchen than cutting with dull knives? A dull blade requires more effort and pressure to cut. This means there's a higher chance the dull knife will slip with a lot of force behind it, increasing the chances of an injury...and possibly a visit to the ER.

This particular set of knives is very unique. They're incredibly lightweight and are super-strong (they can easily cut through a butternut squash and makes slicing meat a breeze). This is because they're made with a ceramic blade that is actually 10 times sharper than steel.

You've got to check them out. For details, visit:

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P.S. As a special bonus, when you order before FRIDAY, DECEMBER 14, you will get the following eBooks complimentary:

* 101 Food, Fruit, and Kitchen Hacks
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* 25 Delicious Salad Recipes

To get your complimentary bonuses, just email me at: getorgnow@charter.net along with your order number and I'll email your files immediately.

By the way, these knives make great Christmas gifts too.

Also, and this is pretty cool...when you get your knives, 10 hungry Americans will receive a meal on your behalf through the amazing 'Feeding America' organization!

GON Inspirational Quotes: These Christmas quotes are sure to make you smile...
getorganizednow.com/quotes-christmas-funny.html



GON Dirty Little Secrets Don't wait for the end of the holiday season to weed out your holiday decor. Here's what I do...
getorganizednow.com/dirty-little-secret-weed-out-christmas.html


In ADDITION, on my home page, you'll also find lots of NEW and featured STUFF including...

* Warmth: That's the theme of the two quotes on my home page this week. Check them out, be inspired, and focus this 'word of the week' on yourself

* Did You Know?: What percentage of people display an artificial tree versus a real tree? What states are the highest spenders for artificial trees? Find out the answers on our home page in the green and red filled boxes.

* Featured Web Poll: Our question is, 'Are you sending Christmas/holiday cards this year?' Let us know in the online poll on my home page.

* GON Monthly Checklist Visit our December 2018 Organizing Checklist and start the TO DOs from today's date forward.

* GON Mini Organizing Challenges For each week of December, our challenge theme is Organizing and Increasing Your Knowledge. Do your mini weekly challenge for week 2.


Access all of the above on my home page. Visit:
getorganizednow.com

'Christmas gift suggestions: to your enemy, forgiveness. To an opponent, tolerance. To a friend, your heart. To a customer, service. To all, charity. To every child, a good example. To yourself, respect.'
--Oren Arnold





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And remember...Being organized creates a happier, healthier, more fulfilling life!

Warmly,

Maria Gracia
Get Organized Now!

getorganizednow.com

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