Are you ready for the Holidays? They're here ready or not! Here are a few organizing tips to help you feel less stress during the holidays this year.

1. Put away all your lawn and gardening items. Unhook your garden hoses and store for the winter.

2. Bring in all your outdoor furniture or cover the furniture before winter sets in.

3. Get your furnace maintained so it is working well during the cold nights of winter.

4. Unclutter, clean-out and organize guest rooms while you have time so you are not making room for them at the last minute.

5. Change out clothes in your closet for the season. Great time to try items on and weed out those that do not fit. All clothes in good condition you should donate to others who are less fortunate and need them. Not only will this make you feel good, it is also a tax write off.

6. Clean out pantry of unused food. Always check expiration dates. Donate usable food to The Food Bank or local charity.

7. Clean out your freezer, again checking for expired food. Eat up as many items between now and the holidays to make room for new food and left overs.

8. Get your holiday card list out. Get a jump start on purchasing or making cards so you will get then sent on time.

9. Make travel arrangements if going out of town, don't wait to the last minute.

10. Decorate for the season, get in the Spirit. You can keep it simple or go big. Get everyone in your house involved so it is a family activity and is fun for all.

CHAOS helps contest winner and small business owner get organized for the new year
Dr. Kay Runyan, owner of Magnolia Care House, helps to care for seniors in her residential group homes, but she needed help in organizing her own home office. That's changing, though; Dr. Runyan is the winner of the CHAOS Reno National Get Organized Month contest for a free day of professional organizing services.

CHAOS (Creative Home and Office Solutions) is a Reno-based business on a mission: to organize northern Nevada homes and offices and eliminate the chaos that gets in the way of productivity and happiness. CHAOS owner and chief organizing officer Debbie Cox created the contest in recognition of National Get Organized Month in January to assist a local individual who could benefit from the help of a professional organizer.

"I'm very excited about helping Dr. Kay Runyan and her senior services business as the year is just getting started," said Cox. "My goal is to provide long-term solutions that will help Dr. Runyan as she helps seniors, reducing stress and saving time for her all year long."

Dr. Runyan has been working with seniors in her Reno elder care business for seven years. Her submission to the contest stated in part, "I have a PhD, but I have never learned how to organize my office." Cox will be working with Dr. Runyan this month to teach her strategies that will provide lasting organizational skills.

See the before and after photos from Dr. Runyan's office, below.

CHAOS Reno
'National Get Organized' Contest


Contest Winner Announced

Dr. Kay Runyan, owner of Magnolia Care House, helps to care for seniors in her residential group homes, but she needed help in organizing her own home office. That's changing, though; Dr. Runyan is the winner of the CHAOS Reno National Get Organized Month contest for a free day of professional organizing services.

CHAOS (Creative Home and Office Solutions) is a Reno-based business on a mission: to organize northern Nevada homes and offices and eliminate the chaos that gets in the way of productivity and happiness. CHAOS owner and chief organizing officer Debbie Cox created the contest in recognition of National Get Organized Month in January to assist a local individual who could benefit from the help of a professional organizer.

"I'm very excited about helping Dr. Kay Runyan and her senior services business as the year is just getting started," said Cox. "My goal is to provide long-term solutions that will help Dr. Runyan as she helps seniors, reducing stress and saving time for her all year long."

Dr. Runyan has been working with seniors in her Reno elder care business for seven years. Her submission to the contest stated in part, "I have a PhD, but I have never learned how to organize my office." Cox will be working with Dr. Runyan this month to teach her strategies that will provide lasting organizational skills.


National Get Organized contest winner looks forward with a new outlook on life
Dear Deb:

I can't tell you how much getting my office organized has meant to me. It changed my attitude and now I feel like I can stay on top of things.

As you know the office was cluttered so I was paying bills on the kitchen table. Then, that became a cluttered mess. My clutter had morphed into a life of it's own.

You taught me filing methods that made so much sense. That was something I had never gotten a handle on.

As you know we found papers in places that made no sense. Just walking past my office and looking in is a real pleasure.

Before I would look at the clutter and try to figure out where to start, couldn't do that so didn't do anything, which was depressing to say the least. I feel much more productive and can find things immediately.

My whole outlook on life has perked up and I can face the day to day challenges with a positive attitude. Thank you again and you will be hearing from me for organization of some other areas, maybe closets.

Sincerely, Kay Runyan