Last week at my rug hooking group we were chatting about Organizing ideas for Christmas and about our favorite memories and organizing ideas surrounding Christmas cards.

One woman said she likes to write a little family history even though she knows no one likes getting them. I take exception to that. I hear that too, but absolutely everyone I know loves being caught up to date with their friends. And we all agreed we love to get cards.

One of the cleverest cards I have received told something about each family member and tied the story in with that person's favorite recipe. It was fun to learn about different family members in such a fun and clever way. And then when I tried the recipe it brought memories of them again.

Another non-tradition Christmas card is photos copied onto paper showing activities of the family throughout the year with captions telling of the experience related to the photo.

The traditional cards are precious too. I still decorate one door frame in our home with the ones we receive. The one year I decided not to put them up my family asked if we didn't get any cards that year.

Photo greeting cards with a photo of the family or the kids and the dog are fun to get and an easy way to send cards.

Here are some organizing tips to help reduce the stress of sending out Christmas cards:

1. Have all of your addresses in one place, either in an address book or on the computer. If you haven't heard from someone in two years, take them off your list.

2. Make a list of people you want to send cards to. Keep this list on the computer or print it off. You then have a template and only have to make a few corrections next year instead of starting from scratch.

3. If you didn't buy Christmas cards last year when they went on sale no worries, many stores run pre-Christmas sales before Thanksgiving on cards.

4. Schedule a time to write your Christmas letter or card. To reduce pressure and stress do this before December.

5. Have a target date when you will send out your cards. Mark this in your planner or on your calendar.

6. Delegate the addressing of the envelopes to a family member. This could be a job you pay a child to do; one who is capable of doing this and wants to earn money for Christmas spending.

7. Buy your Christmas stamps early, definitely before Thanksgiving to avoid the rush at the post office. I buy my stamps on line at usps.com. It costs $1.00 for postage no matter how many items I order and I have them in 2 to 3 days delivered to my door.

Christmas cards are fun to receive, so to continue to receive them from friends and family, make sure you put your return address on all of the envelopes. When you receive cards check their return address and if you need to update your list tear it off the envelope and have one specific place you put the new address. In January when things are less hectic make changes in your address book.

Marilyn is a professional organizer who works with women and seniors in clearing clutter and providing organizing tips. Clearing clutter helps those she works with to have less stress in their lives and feel more joy in living.

Marilyn invites you to visit her website http://www.marilynbohn.com where you can find organizing solutions. You will find fun stories and free organizing tips in her blogs, articles and videos.