We are all for a good system! If you are a pen & paper kind of gal, stay true to you. If you are looking for a digital way to organize your brain and keep plans, recipes, lists, etc. in one place - Google Sheets may be a great tool for you!
What exactly is Google Sheets?
In short, it is online, collaborative spreadsheets.
Here are a few ways to try it out this holiday season:
Holiday Card Contact List
Instead of a worn out address book with pages missing, let’s begin a Google Sheet for your contacts and their addresses (and/or email addreses). The current tab is your active worksheet for your 2025 holiday card. Each year, instead of re-creating your system you can add a new tab. Use the prior year sheet to highlight contacts that need updating. You can alphabetize your list or create sections by category/groups of people. You could even create a simple Google Form to send in a group text to collect up to date address info from folks you intend to send a card too. Or try a free service like Postables online address book tool to gather addresses.
Gift & Shopping List
If you find yourself struggling to remember what you gave your sister-in-law or even your own children for Christmas last year, you are not alone. Your brain doesn’t have to store and categorize it all! Create a Google Sheet similar to the contact list for holiday cards, but use it to track who you gave a gift to (recipient), what the gift was, and the cost (for budgeting purposes!). Each year you can add a tab so over time you have a history of your gift giving. This is a great place to put ideas and links for gifts you have not yet purchased as well, just be sure to utilize a check box or another specific way to mark a gift as: ordered, received, wrapped, and given. Kate from Naptime Kitchen shares a great video on how she does this each year!
Gatherings: meals and parties
Another benefit of working with a Google Sheet is that you can collaborate with others on a specific sheet in real time. No more back and forth texts and calls to figure out who is actually bringing the mashed potatoes and who has your Granny’s recipe. You can link to online recipes, or create a cooking schedule for a big meal with lots of components that all require different amounts of time to prep and cook. You can also use your sheet as a sort of “sign up” for all the stuff that makes a great gathering: the meal, drinks, cutlery, centerpieces, desserts, serving ware, linens, paper products, and to-go containers that will be needed at a large family (or friends) meal.
If you aren’t a frequent Google user, you could try to utilize some of the same methods with your Notes app on your phone. Creating folders and unique notes for separate years, lists, events, etc. These are also able to be shared and others can collaborate with you if invited.
Happy holiday planning & preparing!
Our Help You Dwelves are busy decking the halls of lots of lovely clients homes this month & next. Call to schedule, availability is limited!
