I love the holidays--the parties, the opportunities to spend time with family and friends, the quiet calm of my parents' farm on Christmas morning. If you're anything like me, there's probably a balance in your life during December between excitement around holiday prep and a vague sense of terror that there's no way everything will get done.

This year, I want all of us to get the gift (a priceless one, for sure) of more meaningful, more enjoyable, less stressful holidays. Behind that gift is a bit of planning, a dash of organization, and a willingness to let others--whether friends, family members, or professionals--pitch in to help tackle our To Do lists. All this month on BellaOnline's Organization site, I'll be featuring articles that are designed to guide you, a bit at a time, through a saner holiday season. Here are two to get you started:

This Holiday Season, More Help = Less Stress
Trying to do it all during the holidays means more stress and less chance to relax and enjoy the season. So this year, I challenge you to give yourself a gift designed to make your season brighter: the gift of help. Here's how to share the load with others so you have more free time.
Click here to read the article now, or cut and paste this link: http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art22222.asp

Plan Now for Less Stressful Holidays
Start your holiday season off on the right foot by doing a bit of planning, organizing, and strategizing before things get into full swing. Here's how to give yourself the gift of more enjoyable, less stressful holidays.
Click here to read the article now, or cut and paste this link: http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art21624.asp

Introducing Knack: Organizing Your Home
I'm thrilled to announce the release of my book, Organizing Your Home, part of the new Knack series from Globe Pequot Press. Organizing Your Home is a colorful, easy-to-read guide to bringing more organization to every room in your house. The book is designed to make it easy to find the specific tips and ideas you're looking for quickly. Click here to order the book from Amazon, or ask for it at your favorite local bookseller. And please let me know what you think! I'd love to hear your feedback.

Want more organizing insights? Visit the BellaOnline Organization site, www.bellaonline.com/site/organization, for tips and ideas on making the most of the holiday season, staying organized in the midst of chaos, and preparing yourself for your best year yet in 2009.

Here's to a merry, bright, and organized holiday season!

My best to you,
Emily Wilska
Organization Editor
www.bellaonline.com/site/organization