Day Three--An Organized Christmas

I have found that one of the best ways to be prepared and organized for the Christmas holidays, is to get organized after Christmas the year before. And so today, I turn on Josh Groban's Noel one last time for the season, and I collect the holiday decor from each of the rooms, strip the tree, and pack it all away for the next 11 months. It's a little depressing, really; but as I say goodbye to each precious memento that I've painstakingly collected over my life, I can feel a tiny drop of anticipation for the next time I'll reopen the boxes and take it all out again. The key is to pack in an orderly fashion, so that the experience will be a pleasant one, come next December...

A few tips on packing holiday items:

• I try and group things by room, if possible. When that's not possible, I try and place the first things that should be hung (such as Christmas tree lights and ribbon) at the top of the box, so I won't have to go digging around for items. This is especially important with Christmas tree items, as we often decorate the tree separate from when I decorate the rest of the house.
• As you pack items, take into consideration if it's an item worth keeping. If it's something you haven't used in a year or two, ask yourself why not? And if the item is not worth keeping, toss it or donate it, and free up the space for more worthwhile treasures.
• I dedicate one box to children's items. This has soft items, such as stockings, pillows, and stuffed animals, unbreakable ornaments, and our Fisher Price nativity set. They are so eager to help when I break open the Christmas boxes, and if I have one dedicated strictly to them, the chances are significantly higher that they'll leave my own precious decor alone and go to town on their own. That's not to say they won't be putting their paws all over my stuff once the holidays have started, but at least I can get them out of the boxes and into their appropriate homes first.
• If you're really zealous (I was not this year), you can label the outside of your boxes with a specific list of items that go inside that box. That way, there is never a question as what to put away where, and you can keep all the appropriate packaging inside the box at all times. For me, this is a little hard as I am constantly adding to and taking away from my collection, so, for right now, I opt not to do a labeling system.
• As you pack, keep an inventory of decor you have and decor you would like to buy for the next holiday. For me, that includes stocking hangers, possibly matching stockings, a bigger Christmas wreath, and more outdoor decor. It's a lot cheaper to shop Christmas clearance sales and garage sales throughout the year, than pay full price in December.

After my packing is done, I also take the opportunity to sit down and mentally and emotionally process the holiday. One of the great tools I have used over the past few years is a free printable Christmas planner from organizedhome.com. You can print off worksheets for things like Christmas Memories, New Year's Resolutions, Holiday Traditions, Holiday Values Worksheet, and a Christmas Debriefing. On these pages, I record what was really important to me during the holidays and make suggestions for things I could do better the following year. It may seem a little time-consuming and unnecessary, but I have used these worksheets for the past few years and have helped me to identify what's really important to my family during the holidays and how we can create the atmosphere and memories we want, again and again. Just remember to read what you wrote the previous year as the upcoming holiday approaches.

My Christmas treasures are tucked safely away. All boxes are stacked in the garage, ready to go up to the attic. I've mentally processed and made the lists I need for next year. My house has a more simplistic, yet fresh feel to it. Ready for a tiny breather before the onslaught of the next holiday.

References: www.organizedhome.com, www.christmas.organizedhome.com