Once again, Tip Junkie is here as Your Personal Assistant. Consider taking a day to really plan and organize your schedule to stay ahead of the game. Here are some things to do:

1.  If you’re wanting to be more organized then print off the Executive Homemaker binder where you can keep track of everything in one place as well as printable worksheets to help keep you organized and on task.  (Sorry, I still don’t have the 2010 calendars ready yet.  I’ll get those done after the BlissDom conference.)

2. Check birthdays for the month, buy cards & presents, get them ready to mail or deliver. If you have a child’s birthday this month, plan it and get out the invites.

• Tip Junkie has tons of amazing birthday themes, party favor, game and decor ideas.
• Executive Homemaker has several games to print out.

Also since it’s a new year with a LOT of birthday ahead of you, consider making (or buying) neighbor, friend, and teacher gifts for the entire year. Organize a gift-crafting week with a friend and make it a fun event by stocking up on several handmade items you’ll need through out the year. This way if you’re ever in a time crunch or financial pinch – you’re covered!

3.  Valentine’s Day, will be here before you know it!  Decide today what you’re going to make, how you’re going to decorate, what traditions you’re going to do, as well as make arrangements for your date and babysitter. {{Schedule your babysitter now!!}}

Thoughtful Gift Ideas

• Thoughtful Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas
• Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas
• DIY Teacher Valentine Gift Ideas
• Feelin’ the Love
• Valentine Packaging
• Handmade Valentine Gift Ideas

Traditions

• Homemade Valentine’s and Mail Boxes
• Valentine’s Day Traditions
• Valentine Printable Party Games
• Valentine’s Bandit

Decor

• DIY Valentine’s Day Craft Ideas
• Love is in the Air
• Frugal Valentine’s Day Decor

4. Clear schedule for book club, girls night out, BUNCO, and other rotating activities. Make sure you have child care, your food assignment, etc. Here’s how to start a dinner club.

5. If you are doing a food storage, time to check the schedule and buy next on the list. Don’t forget to put some cash in there as well.

6. Change AC house filter.

7. Write one grandparent a letter, artwork, or card.

8. Plan Mommy/Son or Daddy/Daughter dates.

9. Plan a date night with your man, arrange the babysitter in advance or swap with a friend.

10. Let’s start the month off right and make a list of the things that are causing you added stress. Make a list of the big ones as well as the little ones. Is something in the house that’s broken, is there an insurance issue you need to take care of, do you need an extra trash can upstairs to help keep things tidy?

Once you’ve thought it out and made your list, next plan a day this week as your “ongoing problem day” and finally resolve those issues that need to be resolved. You’ll be glad that you did!

11. For moms with toddlers: Winter was always hard for me when my boys were young because they weren’t able to play outside as much. During the cold months, I would put together “Special Days” and some times invited a couple of their friends. I put together a Special Days Booklet with all my ideas that you can print out! Basically they are “blue day” or “Spider-man Day” and we would play games and do simple things using that color, shape, or theme. If you get another mother involved, it’s less work, and more fun. You could even rotate the days you host it.

Upcoming Tip Junkie Events:

I’m asked all the time what am I currently looking to feature so they can get their posts submitted.  Here’s a sneak peek into what’s coming up in the weeks ahead on Tip Junkie.

• Virtual Tour of Homes – A week full of home decor tutorials
  
• Gift Card Extravaganza – I’ll be featuring all kinds of gift card ideas
• Candy Grams – creative and fun gifts created out of candy
• Testing Survival Kits – as we get closer to State mandatory testing, I like to feature creative ways to encourage your kiddos to do well and know they are loved.
• St. Patrick’s Day party ideas – it’s my favorite holiday!
  
  

If you want to remind yourself to head on over to Tip Junkie at the beginning of every month for this segment, here’s a button you can put on the sidebar of your blog. ;)

What else do you do in February to get your home organized?