Enjoying Christmas – Menu Planning

This week, it is time to finalise the Christmas menu or menus. That depends on how many Christmas functions you have to hold or attend.

Designing the Menu

Designing the menu provides you the opportunity to actually give someone an item or items to bring along when they ask “What can I bring?” When people offer, they are genuine about helping and it is important to allow them to feel that they are contributing to the day.

I do this all the time. We have dinner parties with friends a number of times a year and we all bring something which makes it so much easier for the person who is holding the event. Someone brings entrée, another one brings salad’s, someone else a fruit platter and someone else chocolates. Easy to prepare, and we all really enjoy the night.

So take time now to think about your menu. If you are going to cook it all that is fine, so start writing out your shopping list. There are many items that you can start buying now so that the grocery bill is not massive come Christmas. Items like drinks, napkins, nuts, dried fruit, chocolates, bon bons. Then have your week before Christmas shopping list ready. It is another task done and ready. Pressure off come the time just before Christmas.

Christmas Day Plan

You can even write out your time plan for Christmas day now. For example, Christmas Eve cut carrots, corn, beans, get out plates, saucepans, set the table.

Christmas Eve Day

Complete grocery shopping

Prepare salads

Set table

Defrost meat

Christmas Morning

10.00 am – turkey on

10.15 am - prepare fruit platter

12 noon – family arrive

12.30 pm – entrée served

1:00 pm – gift giving

1.30 pm – main course

2.15 pm – sweets

This is just a rough guideline but knowing this and being ready help to keep your head clear and allow you to feel more relaxed. Who knows, you may even have time for conversations and to enjoy the day.

After Christmas Menus

Something else that may be worth thinking about is your menu the week after Christmas. You may have left overs so now is the time to look for recipes that involve 101 ways with turkey and ham.

Many families head away for holidays this time of year so it may be worthwhile actually thinking about what other food is needed for the first week of holidays. Some simple easy to make meals where you can have the ingredients ready or even pre prepare and freeze the food so that you also get to have a holiday.

I know for some of you this type of planning comes naturally; for others, it may be a foreign concept. However, give it a go. Remember our goal is to take big tasks and “chunk” them down into little steps.

Enjoying Christmas – November is Here

November is here. We are approaching the end of the year and as we know Christmas is just around the corner.

Deadlines

What is amazing is, at this time of year, we start to put deadlines on ourselves. For some reason, many tasks, projects and plans have to be completed by the end of the year. These deadlines can create an increase in stress and tension that can leave us exhausted before we even get to the end of the year.

Take a moment to think about what your true deadlines are. That can bring things back into perspective for some people, not everyone of course. Are there any of these goals that you want to complete by Christmas that you could perhaps move the completion date to mid-January? If so, then do that now.

Holiday Sales

Prior to Christmas and just after Christmas, there is a big period of holiday sales. While you are at the shops, it may be useful to start your holiday sales plans. You don’t necessary need to have this list. I know, for us, it is a time where we consider if there are any “big” items that we may need to purchase. Things such as fridge, washing machine, vacuum cleaner, outdoor items that if they are reduced dramatically then it is a better financial decision to purchase at this time of year.

Ordering and Organising

It is a good chance to order the ham and turkey now. Continue with the Christmas cards to have them completed by December. Get the Christmas decorations out of storage. Cook the Christmas cake and pudding. Make sure all the gifts to overseas have been sent. Buy Advent calendars for the children. Purchase your wrapping paper and gift tags for the gifts.

 
All of these tasks are small but they are helping you move forward. Little bit by little bit. Small task by small task, you are becoming more organised and on top of the festive season.

Enjoying Christmas – Christmas Day

It is time to think about Christmas catch up with the family. There are so many versions of “family” in this modern era that Christmas Day can involve more co-ordination than a military mission.

So take time now to get the conversation started about where Christmas breakfast, lunch and dinner will be held. Who will be there? What to bring? How does that work in with everyone’s extended family?

Then of course Christmas planning has to consider some family issues (or problems) like Uncle George’s drinking problem. Maybe have a brunch rather than a dinner where fresh juice and tea and coffee and the drinks on the menu. If one of your relatives is negative, perhaps this year give everyone a card that has a conversation starter on it. Making sure the conversation starters are about happy, fun, exciting or funny things. For example, “your favourite holiday destination”, “where you dream of going in the world”, “A funny thing happened on the way to…”

Take into account the needs of small children who may need naps and an early bedtime. Make sure the events you are attending are appropriate for their needs.

If Christmas lunch or dinner is at someone’s house, how can you support and help? Divide up the meals so that everyone can bring something. Entrée, main, veggies, salad’s, bread, dessert, drinks. The person whose house it is at has to clean the house, set the table, manage the meal, clean up and clear up. That is a load of work without even cooking anything. Make it as simple as possible.

I know plenty of families who hold their Christmas Day the weekend before Christmas, Christmas Eve or on Boxing Day. Be flexible so that it is about the people who you are with rather than just “the day”.

Something else to think about at this time of year is whether you know anyone who might be alone at Christmas and can you visit them or invite them along to share Christmas with your family.

It is important to remember that what Christmas may mean to you, it may mean something completely different to someone else, so be careful and sensitive to people’s needs.

It is a time of enjoyment and celebration and with planning it can be just that. Planning is the key.

Imagining only owning 100 things!

I read an article by Kristin Tillotson from the Star Tribune in Minneapolis where she wrote of a family that are really trying to live green, save money and be free.

Think about what is the minimum number of items you could live with and how different your life would be with only the minimum.

This Swindlehurt’s family is breaking tradition and really going against the grain of current society by getting rid of as much stuff as they can.

Simplifying their lives

Apparently there is a National movement in America of people who are simplifying their lives – and imagine the difference on your savings by eliminating as many possessions as you can and resisting buying anything else.

It is linked towards green living, The Swindlehurt’s who the article focused on said that “The 100 Things Challenge” was what started it all. This challenge dared people to keep only 100 things. It was launched by Dave Bruno three years ago. It has picked up a Facebook following and naturally a book deal.

The goal is to free you from the demands of consumerism, from being stuck on stuff. Imagine how different your life would be. No filing cabinet, no dresser, no incredible collection of DVD’s, no mismatched coffee cups. What would be the 100 things you would keep?

Living minimal like this has definite benefits beyond the reduced environmental footprint such as reduced cleaning time. Not being anchored to material possessions, the money saved the feeling of being more organised.

Times are changing

It is interesting to note that we tend to travel in a circle through our life and many years ago our grandparents or parents grew up in the depression with very little, until now-a-days when we have excess everywhere from our possessions to our weight. Many people are feeling overwhelmed by their possessions and are making a conscious choice to reduce and eliminate.

People are starting to feel different. Material possessions are not necessary to show how successful you have been. According to a study of the American Dream by MetLife Generation Y is more into making friends than amassing objects.

You don’t have to get down to 100 things but really take a look around and every day take some possessions out of your house. It is a real freedom. It opens up so many possibilities. What is the minimum you could live with?

About Us

LifeStyle Refocus is a Melbourne based professional organiser and lifestyle management consultancy. We are all about saving you TIME. We conduct workshops on ‘Managing your Time’, ‘Systemise Yourself to have a Productive Day,’ ‘DeClutter and Take Back Control’ and Mind Clutter.’ We work with individuals and businesses to help them create a better life.

For more information go to www.lifestylerefocus.com.au or contact Michele on 0437 311 802.

Time for Reflection

For the majority of people this time of year is consumed with decorations, celebrations, gifts and shopping lists however as we approach the end of the year it is also a time of reflection. Reflection on what we have achieved this year and what we would like to achieve in the New Year.

New Years Resolutions

Whilst New Years Resolutions are a great idea I recommend thinking about goals that you would like to achieve in the future.

It is worthwhile investing time now in really considering what is important to you. What do you value as an individual and will your values tie in with your goals?

Goals
Goals provide us with a direction on where we are heading and we can identify the steps to achieve our goals.

Give yourself time to sort your goals and a way to start is to consider the following areas of your life:
1. Family
2. Career / Business
3. Health
4. Money
5. Relationships
6. Personal Growth
7. Fun Time
8. Physical Environment

You do not have to set goals in each area but at least reflect on the areas to see where you can make changes to gain better balance.

About Us

LifeStyle Refocus is a Melbourne based personal assistant, corporate concierge and lifestyle management consultancy. They are all about saving you TIME. By taking care of your “to do” list so you can spend time doing the things that are truly important to you. For more information go to www.lifestylerefocus.com.au or contact Silvana on 0417 595 744 or Michele on 0437 311 802.

Anzac Day

We wish our very best to all those attending ANZAC Day Memorial Services. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.

What is ANZAC Day?
ANZAC Day – 25 April – is probably Australia's most important national occasion. It marks the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War. ANZAC stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. The soldiers in those forces quickly became known as ANZACs, and the pride they soon took in that name endures to this day.

What does it mean today?
Australians recognise 25 April as an occasion of national commemoration. Commemorative services are held at dawn – the time of the original landing – across the nation. Later in the day, ex-servicemen and women meet and join in marches through the major cities and many smaller centres. Commemorative ceremonies are held at war memorials around the country. It is a day when Australians reflect on the many different meanings of war.

The staff at LifeStyle Refocus

You’ve got mail - Controlling your Inbox

We all have far too much to do everyday and would love more time to focus on the things we love, so why is it that so many of us double or triple handle our emails?

To control your “Inbox” you have to establish new habits. The following guidelines will assist you to “manage your mail”.

• Set times during the day to check your emails. Perhaps aim for 3 times a day - in the morning, after lunch and before you go home for the day.


• Use the 2 minute rule – action anything that can be done in less than two minutes. Read each email and action it then and there [don't forget to delete it once you have dealt with it]. The majority of our emails can be handled immediately with a quick answer.


• If it is not a quick email place the email into your follow up area and establish time in your day to action the follow up items. Don’t leave them there and forget about them. It is really important to follow up otherwise they will become urgent and take a lot more of your valuable time.


• Set a goal to have not more than 15 emails in your inbox at any one time.


• Try and delete emails every day, don’t forget your sent items, deleted items and junk email folders


• Make folders to place your emails that require further action – limit the number of folders and have meaningful folders like follow up, to read, to phone etc

LifeStyle Refocus is a Melbourne based personal assistant, corporate concierge and lifestyle management consultancy. They are all about saving you TIME. By taking care of your “to do or wish list” so you can spend time doing the things that are truly important to you. For more information go to www.lifestylerefocus.com.au or contact Silvana on 0417 595 744 or Michele on 0437 311 802.

Creating Goals and Focus for the Year Ahead

We have all read the books, which say no goal is ever achieved unless it is visualised. Part of the visualization process can often be writing down the goals – being accountable.

Following is a chart of the categories that can be considered in your goals for the New Year.

These are in no specific order and you do not have to have goals in all areas if they are not relevant to you.

Categories to consider

• Spiritual


• Family


• Work / Career


• Physical / Health


• Social


• Personal


• Rest and relaxation [Wellbeing]

Business Plan / Life Guide

Now we have a business plan – or a life guide. That is one step in the process to accomplishing our goals. But just as in business it is a great idea to break these goals down. Let’s break them down into monthly achievements as you would a sales, marketing or business plan.

Monthly priority list:

Spiritual

2. 
   

Family

Work / Career

2. 
   

Physical / Health

Social

Personal

Rest and relaxation [Wellbeing]

Tick off each category as you accomplish it and gradually you will achieve your yearly goals by chipping away. Congratulations it is a sensational feeling.

LifeStyle Refocus is a Melbourne based personal assistant, corporate concierge and lifestyle management consultancy. They are all about saving you TIME. By taking care of your “to do or wish list” so you can spend time doing the things that are truly important to you. For more information go to www.lifestylerefocus.com.au or contact Silvana on 0417 595 744 or Michele on 0437 311 802.