In Part 2 of Kathi's Stress‑Less Holidays series, the creative and clever Tenneil Register joins Kathi as they get practical about creating a peaceful, people‑loving holiday—without running yourself ragged.

Listeners will learn:

• How to communicate boundaries early (and kindly)

• Why writing your boundaries down reduces drama

• How a simple printed agenda can keep a blended‑family gathering calm

• Pre‑decluttering guest spaces to avoid stash‑and‑dash panic

• Easy guest‑room touches that feel welcoming (without staging a hotel)

• The power of starting a donation box now so there’s room for people, presents, and peace.

You’ll hear smart ideas for thrifted gifting, family‑first traditions (hello, UNO and naps), and planning charitable giving in advance so it comes from joy, not guilt. If you want a holiday that’s calmer, kinder, and centered on what matters most, this episode offers doable steps you can start today.

In this Part 1 holiday prep episode, Kathi Lipp and the always creative Tenneil Register share practical, low‑energy strategies to help listeners enjoy a calmer, more meaningful season. If you’re short on time, money, or emotional bandwidth, start here. You’ll learn how to declutter before decorating (and why a single focal point may be all you need), simple ways to streamline gift giving for big families, how to audit your calendar for joy instead of obligation, and how to pre‑plan holiday meals that won’t leave you buried in dishes. Tenneil also shares her hospitality bin idea so you’re always ready for guests without last‑minute scrambling. Listen in for doable steps you can take now to reduce December stress and increase December joy.

In this candid Clutter Free Academy episode, Kathi and Roger share how a sudden shift to long COVID reshaped their energy, rhythms, and home—and the simple, grace-filled systems helping them keep life peaceful and clutter free. Listeners will learn:

• How to reframe success when your “plate” gets smaller and energy is limited

• The “energy budget” mindset that helps you spend your effort where it matters

• Meal strategies that don’t require chef-level energy (hello, rotisserie chicken + prepared foods)

• Easy home adaptations that save steps: snack stations, overbed tables, and a shower stool

• The emotional shift from guilt to acceptance—and how gratitude lightens the load

• Why decluttering brings immediate peace in a tough season

• How to reset holiday expectations and ask for help without shame

If you’re navigating illness, caregiving, burnout, or just a low-energy chapter, this episode will help you simplify plans, protect your energy, and find beauty in a smaller, saner life—one small doable step at a time.