We have another Christmas in the books ….and so the question is,
And Now What?
We prepare for New Years Eve…that is what.
And here is where you probably are sighing.
“sigh”
We have another Christmas in the books ….and so the question is,
And Now What?
We prepare for New Years Eve…that is what.
And here is where you probably are sighing.
“sigh”
OK,…….
….take a few minutes out and pull up a chair and let’s share a cup of tea or coffee or whatever your drink of choice is at this moment and take a deep breath….because the “busy-ness” really is starting to wind down a bit.
In some cases, guests have left for their homes and perhaps there is a new batch of guests coming, whether to stay or just to celebrate the ringing in of the New Year.
And there it is….
the thought that I don’t want to think about what comes after.
I know it is there.
Wait for it.
Ok, I will give you a big hint.
It is time to start thinking about the New Year and perhaps jotting down goals and dreams!
OR if you are one of those who make New Year’s resolutions, IT IS TIME.
I have confessed to you before that I do NOT make resolutions because I have never been able to keep them.
However, I do resolve to slowly change a few of my bad habits, though I am never specific. That way I am not disappointed.
And what better way to easily add a new habit, such as organizing Christmas decor
…as I take it all down.
I don’t take it down right away.
No, this is the planning stage. The trees and ornaments will all come down, usually on New Year’s Day.
Or the day after.
I always get asked. “Where do you store all your decor?”
And the answer is simple.
The Captain has built shelves in our 3 car garage and tree racks hang from the garage ceiling.
There is a place for everything and everything is in it’s place.
This process also evolves from year to year because I also take the time to sort out what I want to keep and what items to purge.
I also use this time to take a good long look at my closets, because I believe that after Christmas, it seems like the perfect time to clean out and straighten-up open shelves and storage areas.
I find that when I do this, and things are tidy, my mind clears and allows me to be creative and to be able to focus on other goals.
So, I grab pen and paper and jot down my random thoughts on organizing these storage areas.
In Florida, we have no basements, so our storage areas are limited which is why I like to use shelves and baskets.
I have all sizes of baskets in each room of my home and I use large baskets to hold throw pillows and blankets.
I buy my baskets at TGMaxx, Target, World Market and HomeGoods. I like my baskets to be stylish.
I also use wire baskets which can hide those odds and ends you don’t know where to store.
I find that sometimes things laying around the house have no idea where they should go.
You have to help them find a place to belong.
I label my baskets and bins (numbers or key words) and keep my list on my computer so I will know what is where.
Kids toys are most likely the culprit for making your home look a bit cluttered and there are storage bins for those too.
Something that is very important (and the hardest for me to do) is to do the one-for-one trick.
When a new item comes in, an old item goes out. This is especially true for one’s clothes closet. But if you don’t do the one-for-one trick, your closet will always look cluttered and messy.
My last suggestion is to take your time. Rome was not built in a day and there is no clause in any contract that says you have to tidy up all the closets and put away all the decorations in one sitting.
In fact, I suggest you leave a few of your Christmas decor that can pass as Winter decor in place. Think outside the box. Those snowflakes can be Winter snowflakes and those Aspen branches become Winter branches. And my little white furry animals are winter creatures.
Of course the red and green ornaments and stockings will have to get packed away…..
…..good-by until next year, dear red and green.
So is your plan on its way and your list started?
If, so then you are way ahead of me.
My list is blank because I have been writing this post.
That is my excuse and I am sticking to it. 😉
In fact, I may just have to go watch a Christmas movie that I was too busy to watch last week.
“sigh”
I am not on a time schedule and I need another cuppa hot tea!
And maybe a Christmas cookie!
And there are still 6 more days until the New Year.
Blessings
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