
If you're hosting or bringing a dish to the party this is an easy way to stay calm when the party approaches. It's a great way to make sure the gifts you give and receive don't end up in the donation pile by New Year's Day. On a side note, I highly recommend asking people for their wish lists I even go so far as to ask what they don't want more of. This way you don't give the same ideas to everyone and when you're asked for ideas you have thoughtful suggestions that you can give right away. You can do this for yourself but also for your spouse and children as well. I write down the idea/s and to whom I gave it. This is where I track the gift ideas for gifts that I'll be receiving. You can use this list for future years to help budget and to make sure you're not giving the same things over and over.
#UNCLUTTER YOUR LIFE UPDATE#
Once the gift is purchased I update the list to the actual item purchased and the amount spent. I include whom it's for, the gift requested/idea, and the goal dollar amount to spend. Take a moment before everything gets hectic and make some master lists. Make lists, and check them twice…it's not just for Santa Claus. Now take a step back & breath in the organized bliss that is now your storage room. If you think about your year in terms of the school year, start with September (early fall décor/Halloween) and work your way through to July/August (4th of July/summer décor). For example, start with the calendar year beginning with January (New Year's) and end with December (Hanukkah/Christmas). Now place your totes on the shelving units in the order that holidays occur. Line your basement storage room with shelves and even in the center if there's room, think of how the grocery store or library sets up their shelving in aisles, you can do the same. If you don't have shelving units for your basement storage room now would be the time to get some. This way you're not battling the Christmas PJs in July when you're putting laundry away. all in one tote for families, especially when their closets and dressers are maxed out. I've even put Christmas PJs, headbands, sweaters, etc. Gently wrap all fragile items in tissue paper or bubble wrap, pack the totes the way you sorted the subcategories within each holiday, and then clearly label each tote with the holiday name and what's inside but be broad. Clear is always the best option but some people love doing color coding so black & orange for Halloween, red & green for Christmas, blue for Hanukkah & so on. We recommend utilizing plastic storage totes with lids for your holiday décor. Once you've sorted and purged everything, tested all the lights, and made the tough decisions it's time to organize the décor. Is it broken? Haven't used it in years? Does it only hold sentimental value but it isn't something you'd put out? Those might be items to get rid of or in case of the latter move that item to your keepsakes/memorabilia bin, which should be stored separately from your holiday décor. Make decisions on what to keep and what to get rid of by keeping only the items you need, use or love.

For example, you would categorize all Christmas items, all tree ornaments, all mantel décor, all the kitchen decorations, and so on. Start by sorting like with like, each holiday in its own area and subcategories within that. Ideally, this would take place in your basement. Are your holiday decorations spread-out in nooks and crannies throughout your whole house? Or is it piled up in unmarked boxes with that smell of mildew in your basement storage room you can't walk through? Or worse yet, is it shoved into that scary crawl space above your garage where only the bats lurk? It's time to gather all your holiday decorations from throughout the house and take an honest look at them. Here are our Top 3 Tips for Getting Organized for the Holidays and staying that way into the New Year. What's the best way to make life less stressful so you can slow down and enjoy the Thanksgiving turkey, Hanukkah moments & the Christmas lights? It's by getting organized for the holidays ahead of time.
#UNCLUTTER YOUR LIFE HOW TO#
Getting Organized for the Holidays: How to Save Yourself from Holiday Stressĭo you find yourself loving the time with family during the holidays but dreading all that comes with it? Decorating, gift giving, cookie making, Elf on a Shelf, the list goes on of all the tasks that come with the season of gratitude, merry-making, and cheer.
