Organizing for a better Christmas Next Year

Like so many moms, I am taking the day today to finally "put Christmas away". My Car Guy +Marcus Williams  is back at the dealership. (I've only been able to get into my office about 3x in the last two weeks...) And, as much as I miss him, I am thrilled to take the day to clean up all of the decorations and reorganize everything all by myself.

My inner OCD has kicked in and I  have been scouring the web for Christmas organization products. I consider my list to be the best of the web....The most important thing about cleaning up Christmas is organizing it in a way that is a time saver to make the next holiday season even better.

Santa Clause's sleigh in Dallas. Check out this
New Serrano Red Hyundai Santa Fe Sport.

Let's Start with #1 (because you know it's on the top of your head) What was the WORST part of your Holiday Season this year?

Dear Aunt Bea giving your pre-teens Christmas sweaters and your kids' public eye rolling, family fights over which sister received the Hawaiian Barbie for Christmas in 1991, or your well meaning husband accidentally dropping your Great-Grandmother's special hand me down Christmas Cookie Plate and it smashing into smithereens....What got you through the madness? Your mother in law watching you so you couldn't scream, Prayer, Music, Knowing that your sweet 11 year old boy still loves to read Christmas books with you (that's mine!)...Whatever it was that kept you sane...Pack that up FIRST so that it will be packed up beautifully! For example, if it was your mother in law's presence in your home that kept you sane, make a special "Christmas Visitor" box. Maybe it includes that not-so-Horchow-esque green snowman towel that Aunt Beatrice sent you. That will make a nice touch for your M.I.L. when she comes to visit next year...Or, if it was prayer, consider writing down the verses that kept you grounded and tucking the list into your stocking. Music- buy that Christmas CD while it's on clearance now or Make that Christmas playlist...(Even if it means stealing one of your kid's iTunes cards. C'mon you know they won't miss one $10 card-they got 8 of them) For me, it's keeping all of the Christmas books in one basket. I only take them out during the holidays. The family tradition in my little family is that we sit on the bottom of the stairs, right next to the tree, and read our books. ***Now, you have your survival kit made for the 2014 Holiday Season***

#2 DIY Ornament Storage

Do not spend money on a fancy ornament organizer....check out these fabulous tips on how to make your own courtesy of the Texas Heritage Blog:

Source: http://blog.txfb-ins.com/texas-living/ornament-storage/ By Callie Leahy 

• Recycling organizers. Recycle egg cartons from all of that holiday baking by using them for ornament storage. Apple containers from the grocery store, fast food drink carriers, and toilet paper rolls also make great ornament organizers. 
  
• Cookie and popcorn tins. Every year Great Aunt Edna sends her holiday love via mail-ordered popcorn, cookies, and baked treats. But what do you do with all those tins? The sturdy structure and holiday designs make great
  
  protectors for more delicate hand-made family treasures.
• DIY cup organizer. Ready to give those basic red and green storage tubs an organizational makeover? Hot glue party cups to a piece of cardboard cut to fit your storage container.  The cups provide great protection and are ideal for stacking!
• DIY dowel rod storage. Another great way to organize those holiday storage containers is to drill holes in the sides and place dowel rods across the box , allowing all of the ornaments to hang in the box without becoming a tangled mess of hooks come next year.
• Sock organizers. The size, flexibility, and adjustable nature of diamond-shaped sock organizers make these dresser must-haves a perfect ornament storage option. Add a square of craft store felt to help keep your ornaments from touching in the box.
• Oatmeal cans. Large decorative ornaments for the tree or outdoor decorations can be a challenge to care for year-round. Try storing them in an oatmeal can  and padding with tissue or newspaper for added protection
• Repair kit. Broken ornament? Missing a hanger? Keep repair tools like glue and paint pens along with spare parts for on-hand easy repair when storing for next year.

#3 Make an Under-Tree Storage Box

Were you having to dig high and low to find Christmas Light Repair Kits, Staple guns to hang things, replacement light bulbs, batteries? 

This Under Tree Storage Box idea is fabulous and a real time-saver. Stock up on all of your supplies now while they're cheap! 

  

Hopefully these ideas help you have an even better holiday season next year. Thank you for reading! When you get time, please check out my dealership website for Dallas Hyundai, your source for Sonata, Genesis, Santa Fe in Dallas, TX.