Every year I freak out around the holiday time and I really would rather not do that. I overdo it, even though I tell myself not to, and I don't really enjoy it as much as I would like because I am running around doing way more than I can handle. Any hints you could provide would be wonderful! - Stressed Out for the Holidays

You may be the person who always hosts a holiday dinner or celebration. Perhaps this is your first time to host the holiday party or you were delegated to plan the company party. However it came about, if you have the privilege and challenge of hosting, here are some tips to make it easier.

Buying and keeping track of gifts is a big problem for me. I forget what I have gotten already and what I planned for my nieces and nephews, and then don't I get the things I have bought for people to them in time. I find I have this same issue with birthday gifts during the rest of the year too. How can I fix this? - Perplexed Gift Giver

What can you recommend for people living in spaces so compact that there’s hardly any place to hide things out of sight? Such as shoes, linens - and the ever-growing collection of things to throw out or otherwise redistribute! - A Faithful Reader

Last week, “A Faithful Reader” asked about ways to store things out of sight in small living spaces. I’ve broken my response into three categories of acquiring more space: under places, over places, and inside places. This week I am sharing ideas of ways to organize over places (otherwise overlooked areas?) that can be better utilized or repurposed as storage spaces.

I was working with a client a few days ago and I asked a simple question: “What do you want to complete in the last two weeks before the end of the year?” The reality of the time frame startled him. “Oh wow!” he exclaimed, “That’s right, there are only a couple of weeks left!”

Maybe you have given some thought to what you want to do in 2013. If you are like most, you are hoping this coming year will be much better than the past year – for many, it was not a great year. So, what’s your plan and what actions will you take?

How can I balance healthy eating with my very busy work schedule? I have clients non-stop most days and only short bits of time between them to eat. Do you have any suggestions? – Hungry Hairdresser

Last week, Hungry Hairdresser inquired about finding a way to eat healthier on busy work days. I offered several suggestions and promised to address the overall issue of meal-planning in this week’s column.

I recently returned from a trip and got home so late and was so tired I didn’t have time to unpack. I have been home nearly a week now and my clothes and my luggage are all over the floor. Ideas on ways to make this easier and more efficient would be appreciated. – Still Packed