Now that the holidays are finished and it’s back to the winter doldrums, getting organized for a new year can be just the pick-me-up you need to help you through the cold days! It can also ensure that the festivities next Christmas will be easier to orchestrate.
The best way to begin a new year is by tying up loose ends from the old year.
Consider how you’ve been storing your holiday decorations. Here are some tips:
1. You can now purchase wreath containers that keep your “permanent” wreaths from being smashed. If you have a special wreath hook (one that you use only with this wreath), store it in the container with the wreath. These containers can be used for garlands as well, by curving them around to fit the shape of the box.
2. Ornaments can be stored in special ornament boxes. These boxes are specially designed for small decorations and are divided into small sections, just right for your keepsakes. Some boxes even have adjustable dividers, to better fit larger or smaller ornaments. More fragile decorations should be wrapped in bubble wrap, and some homemade heirlooms of paper or fiber should be wrapped in acid-free tissue, available at your scrapbook store.
3. We’ve all seen the old movies where someone is untangling a string of lights. This nightmare can be avoided, and a great deal of time can be saved, by carefully wrapping the strings of lights around an empty cardboard tube from paper towels or gift wrap, as they are removed from the tree or house. If you have extra bulbs for that string of lights, put them in a plastic zip bag, and tape it to the inside of the cardboard tube.
4. If you use a real Christmas tree, make sure it gets out to the curb on the right day for trash haul off. Better yet, many cities offer Treecycling at no charge. You just have to take your tree to the designated drop off area by the end date. If you time it just right, you’ll get to see the tree go through the mulching machine and become healthy protection for live trees in your city’s parks.
5. If an artificial tree is your tree of choice, keep the box it came in. If you hold your mouth just right, you may be able to get the tree back in the box. Here’s another hint. If you didn’t choose a pre-lit tree, you can store a fake tree with the lights still on, and you’ll be a step ahead for next Christmas.
6. Large plastic storage boxes with lids are great for all other decorations, like Christmas stockings, mantle decorations and holiday candle holders. You can even put those tubes of lights in the boxes. Be sure to label all of the boxes, with the labels facing you when the boxes are put away. If you have a label maker, this is a great time to use it. If not, write the box contents on a sheet of paper and slide it into the end of the box, with the words facing out. Most plastic storage boxes are translucent, and you can easily read through the plastic.
7. Holiday dishes are another kind of decoration that require special care and storage. It’s a smart idea to purchase quilted dish storage containers that zip shut for special dishware. These quilted containers come in sizes for all sorts of dishes, such as dinner plates, bowls or stemware. I recommend using a sheet of foam or thin bubble wrap between each plate and bowl. If you don’t have room in a cabinet or hutch, carefully stack the quilted organizers into a plastic storage tub with a lid.
When the. all of the labeled holiday containers together so you don’t have to go searching for them next year.
Storing decorations is only part of the activity that should take place after the holidays. Here are some other things you can do to be organized to start the year, and have things ready for family fun next Christmas.
Keep a holiday journal, adding to it from year to year. It’s a wonderful place to keep track of things you’d like to remember.
Here are some topics for your journal:
1. Ask family members what their favorite activities were this year and record them in your journal for planning next year’s holiday.
2. A list of gifts given or received.
3. If you loved how you decorated your mantle this year, take a photo of it and glue it in your journal. Then you can duplicate it next year.
4. If you took part in a cookie exchange or pot luck, or even tried Great Aunt Hattie’s plum pudding, keep a section for your favorite recipes. You may even want to include whole menus that worked well for you.
5. Your Christmas card list can be added to, modified or deletions made in a holiday journal.
6. Record an ongoing gift idea list for next year.
Holiday photos can be particularly challenging to organize. If your photos are digital, start by creating a file in the “My pictures” file in your computer, with the heading of “Christmas,” or “Holidays” and the year listed. Take time to name the photos and make sub-files if necessary, (i.e.: “Thanksgiving” or “Rodney’s Office Party”). Then when you’re ready to scrapbook, print or email, the photos are ready and easily found.
The next thing to do to get your new year off to an organized start is check your inventory of Christmas wrapping supplies. Now’s the time to buy them, while they’re on sale. If you don’t already have one, consider purchasing a gift wrap box that you can store with your Christmas decorations. The box will keep your wrapping dust-free and non-crushed for next Christmas.
If you have children at home, you may be wondering where you’re going to put all of the new toys and games. This is a perfect time to sort through the old toys and discard or donate the things that are outgrown or that they don’t play with anymore.
Now that the “stuff” is organized, filed and put away, it’s time to look toward new adventures. Think about your resolutions and goals for the upcoming months. Finally, knowing that you can start a fresh calendar, organized and with peace of mind, resolve to have a happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year!
