Desert Commando Halloween Costume

As this commando, your kids certain to secure plenty of candy rations. Face mask with helmet, goggles, jumpsuit with built-in muscle torso, gloves and bootcovers; 5-piece set. Polyester. Imported.

The year-end holidays are often a time of frenzy and frustration, instead of fun, for many people. Getting organized and planning ahead will help add to the fun, rather than to the frenzy.

Here's how:

1. Early Bird. As the old clich goes, the early bird always gets the worm, and nothing is more true than when celebrating the year-end holidays. Begin making a TO DO list in October. Crossing things off your list will give you a sense of accomplishment and control. Put your list in a three-ring binder, and store all your related holiday papers in clear sheet protectors along with your TO DO list.

2. Gifts Galore. Make a holiday gift list early in the year, in order to take advantage of sales, by shopping for gifts throughout the entire year rather than at the last minute. Wrap purchases immediately and put name tags on them to avoid last minute hassles.

3. Wrap it Up. I know, I know. It can be rather annoying to see Christmas displays in the stores now as early as September. But instead of being annoyed, go ahead and buy your wrapping paper, bows, ribbons, tags etc. early and store them so that you have everything at your fingertips come wrapping time.

4. Bake-a-Thon. Why not put some holiday music on in October, wear a fun holiday sweatshirt, and set aside a whole day to do your cookie baking? Cookies freeze well, so you can do this ahead of time.

5. Card Shark. Purchase holiday cards that have your printed signature on them so you don't have to sign each one individually, and also be sure to order matching return address labels. Do this in October and have your children put the stamps and address labels on the cards for you, making it a fun family affair. Use a red or green pen to address the envelopes.

6. Letter Love. If you love writing your annual Christmas letter on your computer, you can make it easier by keeping a list on your computer, month by month, of your family's happenings throughout the year. When the time comes to actually write the letter, you'll have an instant picture of your year's events, making it much easier to write the actual letter.

7. Easy E-mail. If you'd prefer to send your Christmas letter via email, use a holiday template from Constant Contact or another program to easily write and send your holiday letter to a large e-mail database.

8. Postage With the Mostage. Be sure to have all your out of town packages and holiday cards ready to be mailed by December 1 to avoid the stress of standing in line at the post office on December 24.

9. Tree Trimmings. When making your TO DO list in October, set aside a specific day to put up your holiday tree and decorations. Do nothing else that day, and serve hot cocoa and popcorn as treats while you're trimming the tree.

10. Gracious Guests. If you will be entertaining guests for the holidays, plan and call ahead to hire any cleaning and/or catering services. If you'll be cooking the meals yourself, be sure to prepare a menu and shopping list.

With a little advance planning, you too can have a fun and festive, rather than a frenzied and frantic holiday season this year!

Copyright 2007 Kathryn Bechen Ink. All rights reserved worldwide.

To receive your free home organizing tips and the author's free monthly e-newsletter, go to her website at http://www.KathrynBechenInk.com Kathryn Bechen is a former professional organizer and interior decorating consultant who now devotes all her time to writing. She has been interviewed by and featured in San Diego Home & Garden Lifestyles magazine, RealtyTimes.com, Omaha World Herald, The Dayton Business Journal, and others. Her originally authored articles have been published in magazines, newspapers, newsletters, and across the internet. She is also the author of two e-books: 191 Tips for Indoor & Outdoor Cottage Style at Home, and Moving With Ease: The 8 Week Plan for an Organized & Stress-Free Move Whether You Hire a Mover or Do It Yourself! Kathryn has taught organizing seminars and spoken to groups as large as 400, and has also taught writing. In addition, she consults with small businesses on how to get free PR.