Organizing for the Holidays

The holidays bring their own clutter- gift wrap, bags, gifts to store and then after the holidays you have new stuff to find a home for. So, now is a good time to go through your belongings and purge what you do not use/need/want, etc.

Here are some tips to help you accomplish this task:

Go through the toy box with your kids. Throw away broken toys and toys missing pieces/parts. Donate toys that they have outgrown. Just remind them you are making space for the toys coming from Santa (or whomever they gifts come from in your home)
Do the same with the clothes in your closet. Remember that many towns have clothing drive this time of year for gloves, scarves, coats and hats. If your family has outgrown any of these items look for places you can donate these items to.
If you have ribbons left over from gift wrapping or gift receiving, Real Simple magazine suggests using them to tie around sheet sets so individual sheets/pillowcases don't get separated. I love this idea!
Declare the room with the Christmas tree a toy free zone until after the holidays. Most holiday pictures will be taken with the tree as the backdrop so if you at least keep this a clutter free zone, you will feel better and your pictures will look better.
Raid the bathroom closet for old half filled lotion bottles, soaps and shampoos. Chances are you will be getting more so toss out the half used stuff you don't like and donate unopened ones to homeless or women' shelters.
Stock up on healthy snacks- the holidays are a busy time and you will find yourself eating in a hurry. Think ahead and have the pantry stocked with the foods you should be eating to avoid those impulsive binges.
Look around your house for items you already have that can be used for decorating, gift wrapping, etc. Examples would be brown paper lunch bags that can be used/decorated for gift bags, clear vases that can be filled with fruit or Christmas balls for a decoration, yarn that can be used as a package decoration, etc.
These ideas should get you started and get you thinking about ways to streamline your home and life so that you have more to give of yourself at this important time of year.

Happy Organizing and Happy Holidays!