Notes from President Betty
Sharon McRill
As we move into the holiday season, The Betty Brigade is the largest it’s been since I launched the business seven years ago. With 10 Betties on our staff, the Brigade is going strong!
People are busier than ever, which keeps us busy, too, helping our clients with projects they have no time to do themselves. The more we work, the more techniques we learn for simplifying and organizing. And we want to share them with you... through The Brigade Bulletin.
Welcome to issue Number One!
You’ll find our quarterly email packed with the latest Brigade news, seasonal tips and useful information. In this issue, we offer tips for an eco-friendly holiday, packing light for air travel and preparing for holiday houseguests.
Besides the Bulletin, we’ll soon launch two other email offerings:
- The Betty Blast -- a short monthly email with more tips for organizing, event planning and ways to simplify your life.
- The Betty Bit -- a daily inspirational tidbit to keep you on track with your projects.
Our emails are permission-based. So when you receive the first one, simply
go to the top of the page and choose to opt in or opt out. You may want to receive all three emails, or only one or two. It’s your choice.
Please know that we will never, ever, ever, EVER sell or share your email information with anyone. If you opt out and later change your mind, just head to our website www.bettybrigade.com and get back on the ... well, the Betty Wagon.
And don’t miss our blog, “Ask Betty," every two weeks in AnnArbor.com, usually under the home and garden section.
We Betties are thrilled at the prospect of appearing in your mailbox regularly. We want to be part of your day, your month, your year. And we hope it won’t be a one-way ride.
Please share with us your questions, feedback and suggestions at newsletter@bettybrigade.com.
Meanwhile, the entire Betty Brigade wishes you and your families the Happiest of Holidays!
Sharon |
Don't Pout over Holiday Guests
Does your guest room look more like a storage facility? That's fine most of the year, but where to put holiday guests?
Start by taking all the clutter, boxes and bins OUT of the guest room.
Store them in a part of the house that won’t be used during the holidays. Then deal with it --- in January. F or now, clean and freshen the guest
room.
- Wash all bedclothes, including dust ruffles or bed skirts. Dress the bed in clean linens and plump pillows.
- Place an extra blanket at the foot of the bed or on a quilt rack.
- Clear about half the closet for your guests’ hanging clothes, and offer one or two empty drawers for their belongings.
- Have a small nightstand with a reading light and a magazine or a few books in the room.
- Place fresh towels in the guest bathroom, or in the guest room if you have a shared bath.
- Nothing says “Welcome” like fresh flowers. If the budget is tight, just one lovely bloom and a sprig of evergreen is perfect.
It takes very little effort to say, “We’re glad you’re here,” but it will mean a lot to your guest.
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Dreaming of A Green Christmas...
According to the Clean Air Council, Americans generate 4 million tons of waste 
during the holidays from wrapping paper and shopping bags.
Some 2.65 billion Christmas cards are sold each year in the U.S., according to Use-Less-Stuff.com. That’s enough to fill a football field 10 stories high.
Here are some ways to reduce your paper waste:
- If you must send paper cards, make sure they have recycled content.
- Send fewer cards. If we each sent one less card, we'd save 50,000 cubic yards of paper.
- Instead
of buying paper gift tags, make your own from something you already
have. Cut out images from last year’s Christmas cards, for example. Or,
Real Simple Magazine suggests using old playing cards!
- Wrap gifts in reused paper, Sunday comics, bags, old maps, kids’ artwork, etc.
- When shopping, bring your own bags. If you forget, at least consolidate your purchases into fewer bags, rather than getting a new bag at every store.
- Instead of buying disposable ribbon and bows, purchase real ribbon from a fabric store. It’s more beautiful and can be reused year after year.
- For holiday parties and meals, use cloth napkins, rather than paper. Most of us have ‘em -- why not use ‘em?
Once you open up your imagination, you’ll be amazed at your own creative ideas. Not only does being green help the planet, it’s cheaper -- and it’s more fun!
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Air Travel Packing Tips
 Time was, you could pack anything you wanted for your trip to Grandma’s.
Today, even one pound over the 50-pound limit could mean a fine of $25 or more.
- Save money, save time at baggage claim, and keep your bag safe -- pack only a carry-on.
- For holiday travel, wrap and mail all gifts ahead of time. It’s worth it in time and trouble saved.
- Board the plane early, to ensure overhead space for your bag.
- Use a lightweight bag, and pack separates that coordinate, mostly solid colors. Add pattern with scarves, which take up almost no suitcase room.
- Bring double-duty items, e.g., a button-down shirt that can double as a jacket.
- Bring clothes that can be dressed up or down.
- Limit your self to 3 pair of shoes, including the pair you wear.
Happy Flying! |
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