In This Issue:

 •

•

Greetings from Elizabeth

You would not believe it's almost Christmas here in South Dakota. We do not have any snow!! This is unheard of for this time of year. My
12-year old who loves to snowboard is getting quite upset! And I'm finding it hard to get in the Christmas spirit with it looking like
October outside.

How are your plans for the holiday coming along? Now is a great time to cook double so you can just pull a casserole out of the
freezer over the busy Christmas week. As you do your Christmas shopping be sure and write the names of the people you are giving
the gifts to on the receipt. This makes it a lot easier to handle returns.

December is a good time to:
* De-stress!! Plan on taking time in January to get organized!
* Reconcile banks statements.
* Stock up on salt and sand.
* Have your car serviced.
* Polish silverware; wash china and crystal.
* Iron table linens.
* Shop after-holiday sales for good buys on wrapping paper, seasonal
items, decorations, lights, etc.

If you have a friend who would like getting monthly tips, please forward this newsletter. If you'd like to unsubscribe or update your profile please follow the instructions at the end of the newsletter.

I'd like to wish all of you a blessed and peaceful Christmas season! I hope this is a month of wonderful family times and that you experience the joy of this season!

What is a Professional Organizer?

It's great to be organized!

Christmas Quiz

1. What country did the poinsettia originally come from?
   A. Mexico
   B. Europe
   C. Ecuador
   
    
2. What instrument was "Silent Night" originally played on?
   A. Harpsichord
   B. Organ
   C. Guitar
   
    
3. Why do we kiss under the mistletoe?
   A. Because of an ancient Greek myth.
   B. Because it was the symbol of the goddess of love in Norse legend.
   C. The custom originated in Russia in the 12th century.
   
    
4. How did the tradition of a Christmas tree get started, and where?
   A. Immigrants to the US brought the tradition from Europe.
   B. Germany in the 7th century.
   C. Romans began the custom.
   
    
5. What's up with the Yule log?
   A. It was a classic dessert loved and popularized by King Louise XV of France.
   B. A European tradition for household protection during the coming year.
   C. Originated with the Aztecs who considered oak wood sacred.
   
    
6. What place is the world's largest exporter of Christmas trees?
   A. Christmas Tree Island, Alaska
   B. Nova Scotia, Canada
   C. Northern California
   
    
7.  How did the fruitcake come about?
   A. Who cares?
   B. Hawaiians made a similar dessert using macadamia nuts.
   C. In the olden days, only preserved fruits were available in the wintertime.
   
    
8. What's a manger?
   A. A feeding trough for livestock.
   B. A storage place for livestock feed in the winter.
   C. A bed for infants.
   
    
9. In 1947, Gene Autry recorded "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer" and the rest is history. Who wrote this song, and why?
   A. Gene Autry wrote it for his children and someone suggested he record it.
   B. Clinton Mills, an engineer, wrote it for a YMCA youth pageant.
   C. Robert May, an ad writer, wrote it for a Montgomery Ward store giveaway.
   
    
10.  "The Night Before Christmas" was written by Clement Moore. How did it get published?
    A. He didn't. In fact he was ashamed of it and never admitted to having written it.
    B. He submitted it for his feature column in the New York Hearls Tribune and the rest is history.
    C. It was part of a collection of Christmas poems he wrote for his children.

Answers:

1. A - Mexico. Dr. Joel Poinsett, the first ambassador to Mexico, brought it to the US in 1828.
    
2. C - Guitar. Some say it was because the organ was broken and other stories, but it's entirely likely it was composed for the guitar.
    
3. Why not? No, really B. Mistletoe was the symbol of the goddess of love in Norse legend.
    
4. B. In Germany, in the 7th century. Before Christianity, people brought evergreen trees into their house and decorated them for a winter festival.
    
5. A. European tradition. If the Yule log was burned right, it would protect the household during the coming year. The rules were: It had to be found or be a gift, it had to light the first time, the lighter had to have clean hands, and it had to burn for 12 hours.
    
6. B. Nova Scotia, Canada.
    
7. C. Because originally people had to make something sweet from what was available in the winter time, which meant preserved fruits.
    
8. A. A feeding trough for livestock.
    
9. C. Incredibly, an ad writer, Robert May, wrote the lyrics for a Montgomery Ward store giveaway in 1939.
    
10. A. He didn't. He was a religious scholar and embarrassed about the poem. In fact he never admitted to having written it! It made it into print when a friend sent it to a newspaper in 1822.

This tip is from one of my favorite clients! As you receive Christmas cards tear the return address off the envelope and tape to the card. When you have time check your Christmas card list to see if you've sent this person a card or to check if you have the correct address.

I think that gift baskets are great ideas and a lot of fun! It shows the giver that you've spent time and thought into the gift.

Some ideas are:

For the gardener:
Use a large terra cotta plant for a "basket". Fill it with gardening gloves, hand trowel, hand rake, seeds, bottle of liquid fertilizer, gardening book, and a subscription for a gardening magazine.

For the pasta lover:
Use a large pasta bowl for the "basket" and fill it with a package of gourmet pasta, tongs, package of sun-dried tomatoes, extra-virgin olive oil, spices, and a pasta cookbook.

For the writer in your life fill a square basket with:
Note cards, envelops, note paper, letter opener, pen and pencil set, personalized seal and sealing wax, and personalized return address labels.

For an artsy child:
Fill a rubber/plastic storage box with crayons, non-toxic markers, assorted papers, coloring books, stickers, and a paint box and
brushes.

For the new home owner fill a tool box with:
Screw drivers, wrench, hammer, pliers, assorted nails, screws, washers, gift certificate for the local hardware store, do-it-yourself book, and assorted odds and ends (light switch covers, light bulbs, duct tape, paint brushes, knobs and handles, etc.).

For the teen:
Use a cosmetic bag and fill with nail polish, emery boards, nail clippers, nail brush, cuticle remover, nail file, nail polish remover, and cotton balls.

For the student:
Use a rubber garbage can as a "basket" and fill with a stapler, tacks, paper clips, pens, pencils, notepads, hole punch, desk lamp,
calculator, and calendar.

For the person who wants to get organized:
Fill a desk-top file holder with books and supplies found at www.elizabethhagen.com!

Do you want to look, feel and give your best in 2005? Of course you do and we are here to help! Join Carrie Hollenbeck, RN, Charlene Correa, Certified Pilates Instructor, and myself for an awesome, fabulous event on January 22, 2005 from 9 am to 1:00 pm.

Stick to It - Figures, Fitness and Fun is a great 'personalized' way to get motivated, inspired, and healthier for 2005.

For $99 you will:
* Have your figure assessed using a 'figure friendly' system of sticks and strings. No scales allowed!
* Develop a stress-free plan for picking out flattering clothing and organizing them in your closet.
* Simplify your exercise routine and enhance your understanding of nutrition.

Free consultations guaranteed with your sign up. Call today and begin anew in 2005. You can the Four Hills Health Center in Sioux Falls, SD at 605-371-3533 or Elizabeth at 605-357-8767.

This would be a GREAT idea to give as a Christmas gift!

Workshops

Attention Event Planners, Human Resource Directors and leaders of Christian Women groups: If your group/department can benefit from learning easy and practical organizing skills in a creative setting, please contact me today. I'll customize one of my presentations just for you so that your members will have more time, less stress, and a better quality of life! E-mail me at elizabeth@siouxfallsorganizer.com or call 605-357-8767.

December 14
MOPS
Dover Avenue Missionary Alliance, Orange City, Iowa
"The Quiet Beauty of Confidence"

January 12
West Center Baptist Church, Madison, SD
"Conquer the Chaos of Clutter"

January 20
Society of Government Meeting Planners, Minnesota Chapter
Minneapolis, MN
"E-Mail Management"

January 27
Center for Active Generations, Sioux Falls, SD
"Conquer the Chaos of Clutter"
Open to the public
Contact Lisa at 605-333-3307 for information

January 29
Women in Blue Jeans, Mitchell, SD
"Conquer the Chaos of Clutter"
Open to the public
Contact Diana at 605-996-5400 for information

Workshops