September 16th 2010, does that date mean anything to anyone? Anyone? September 16th is exactly 100 days before Christmas. Oh my! That means there are presents to buy, gifts to wrap, cards to send, parties to plan, and a family meals to be prepared! Do you realize there all sorts of websites set up to email you a “to-do” for each of the 100 days prior to Christmas?!?!?

If you don’t know me by now, you know I am always tooting my horn about getting ahead of the game. Do this, do that and your life will run so much smoother. With that being said, I am here to tell you, that I think we as a society (you and me) have gone overboard every year at Christmas.

Have you looked in the stores lately? It isn’t even October 1st and the Halloween decorations are on sale. Why you ask… to add more room for the Christmas decorations that already are out! Yes, you can buy Santa and his reindeer today! I am shocked at how early the stores start filling the shelves with Christmas items every year. I swear it starts earlier and earlier, could be that I am just getting old and losing my mind.

I have helped clients over the past years organize their attics, garages and closets to help make more room for Christmas decorations. What I find most interesting is that no matter how organized it is or how much room you have to store all the totes or boxes no one wants to unpack ALL of that stuff. I have had clients that have even purchased all new things to avoid unpacking all the decorations.

I am not suggesting that you hire me to organize or that I that I am telling you go out and spend hundreds of dollars to decorate your home to avoid unpacking your decorations. Instead I would like to give you a gift a “get out of jail free card” if you must. I am suggesting you give yourself PERMISSION, yes permission, to relax…to step back and listen to the Christmas songs…breath in the cool fresh air….to make things simple…to make it real. Enjoy Halloween, enjoy Thanksgiving and above all realize that it doesn’t matter if your house looks like a Macy’s Christmas room, it doesn’t matter how many gifts are under the tree, it doesn’t matter how many fudge balls or cookies you make…what MATTERS is that you and your family enjoy the holiday season and are free from stress.

Happy 100 days of a new holiday traditions of keeping things effortless and not being overwhelmed! Who knows you may thank me for this someday…

Author Michelle Lehman of Organizing Solutions “Clear the Clutter” Michelle is a Professional Organizer in the Tulsa area. Her articles have been featured in the Tulsa World, The Oklahoman, Chicago Sun-Times and The Chicago Post-Tribune.  Michelle appears on TheNewsOn 6 KOTV and Fox23 News This Morning giving organizing tips and recommendations.

Tags: 100 days, Christmas, decorating, organizing, traditions