Just think, five months from today Christmas 2015 will be over. We will have spent time with our friends and families, decorated our homes inside and outside, attended Holiday Concerts for our kids, our grandkids, and at our churches. We will have exchanged Christmas cards (or not), exchanged gifts (or not), baked, bought, and eaten loads of delicious holiday goodies. We will have listened to Christmas music, watched Christmas movies, and read Christmas stories. We will have happy memories of Christmas 2015 and (yikes!) be looking forward to Christmas 2016.
We put so much time planning and preparing for the holidays during the fall months; but when it's over we're generally too worn out to put much thought into taking the holiday items down and putting them away.
Today I'm going to share my after holiday organizing tips with you.
Tip #1: On December 26th, grab some paper and a pen, sit in front of your beautiful tree and think about the holiday season you've just experienced. Make two lists; one of what worked and one of what didn't work. You can also add a third list of what you'd like to add for next year. Place your list where you will find it first thing next fall. I have a Christmas notebook that I keep all of my organizing papers in.
Tip #2: Think about how you want to store your Christmas ornaments, decor, lights before you start packing. I store all of my items in clear tubs. I also mark each tub with a label or content list. I've tried several methods of packing away my ornaments and decor, but last year I tried one that I think will work for me for a long time. I packed according to room and tree. The office tree ornaments in one tub, the bedroom in another, the playroom... you get the idea. I also pack my decor by room or theme. Yes, I used lots of tubs, but most of them are small and easy for me to get down next year without Dan's help.
Tip #3: As you're sitting there, go through the Christmas cards you've received this year. You may want to use some of them for gift tags for next year. If you keep a card record like I do, you can check off who you received cards from. While you're looking a t your list, this is a good time to note new addresses or to make additions/deletions to your list. Pull out the letters that you want to respond to and try to accomplish that before New Year's Day.
Tip #4: Deliberately schedule your clean up. There's nothing so overwhelming as looking at Christmas decor in the middle of January. Whether you clean up on 12/26, 1/2, or at Epiphany, get on the calendar and do it!
Tip #5: Pat yourself on the back. You have once again provided a joyous time of celebration for your family!
