… though I’m not as anxious as some to see it go. But since I’m already seeing on Facebook that trees are coming down today, I thought I better get this posted. haha.
Hi friends~ I pray that your Christmas Day was something special between you, the Lord, and your loved ones. Ours was a quiet day at home, and it was wonderful. We realized that next Christmas will be the last of what we’ve known for years as “normal” – after that, we will be doing like so many of you… preparing for the children to come home for Christmas. Oh, how I want to treasure up EVERY moment of this next year and a half with my family still under one roof!
We will still be celebrating Christmas with extended family throughout the rest of this week and into the next, so I’m going to take a little Smelling Coffee break. But before I go, I wanted to share one of the most helpful posts (I think) that has ever graced this blog. It’s from my friend Amy, who used to write a segment here called “Frappuccino Fun with Amy.” She is one of the most creative and organized people I know, and she shared her wisdom with us on packing up the Christmas Decor. Ever since reading this post after the Christmas of 2008, my packing up and away of the decorations has been revolutionized. 😉 Thanks again, Amy, for your wisdom that continues to live on and on…
_______________________________ Repost from Amy in 2009
Oh Where oh Where did I put all of my things??
Happy 2009! I pray all of you had a blessed Christmas and New Year.Can you believe the holidays come and go so quickly? For years, I looked around my home on December 27th and thought, “Where do I put all of this stuff?” The same things I enjoyed so much for the last month became a source of aggravation. Dread filled my body as I gazed at all of my beautiful decorations and trees. Dread, that is, until I discovered 4 organizational ideas that have changed the way I think about “what to do with all of this stuff”!
1. Pack up Room by Room.
In my younger (and dumber days), I would have rushed to stuff as many items in a box as I could. Yes… Christmas decor would get thrown in the attic in the quickest and easiest way possible, and I would forget about it for the next 11 months.
Then around November 25, I would always regret the mess and disorganization I was about to face. Items would be broken and there was no rhyme or reason as to where anything was.
It is so easy to have a “I’ll deal with it latter” attitude when it comes to storing decor. But…DON’T DO IT THAT WAY!
A few years ago, Richard (my wonderful husband who always helps put up and put away Christmas decor) and I decided to take the time to pack away our decorations room by room. This has revolutionized our decorating process. Now, as Christmas boxes come from the attic, they go straight to the ro
om in which they belong.
2. Note to Self.
I also write myself little notes and pack them away with the decorations. You may think you will remember where something goes, or what needs to be repaired next year, but chances are… you won’t.
3. The Holiday Notebook.
My newest ad
dition to Holiday Organization is a “Holiday Notebook.” This is an idea that I have seen succeed for my mom. Each year she has an After Christmas Open House. One year I was helping her prepare and she got out a little notebook where she had listed her menu for the party and commented on the success or failure of each food. I laughed when I read her notes – she sounded like a restaurant critic! But I realized that she had a great idea!
I have a composition book where I can write lists and comments about parties, gifts given, and decor. For example… “Cookie Swap was too late in December. Schedule it earlier.” Or “Buy new Christmas sprinkles.”, etc.
4. Use Your Pictures to Help You Next Year. 
My mother-in-law lives with us, and is a scrapbooker and the family photographer. While we’re decorating the house for Christmas, she pulls out her scrapbooks and I look at all of the beautiful pictures of our last Christmas. What a motivator to get going!
I examine the placement and decor – because sometimes I can’t remember how the garland was hung, or where a certain item should be placed. Pictures jog your memory, so make sure you take ’em and save ’em. (I also use pictures for decorating for fall, 4th of July, etc!)
Taking a little extra time and organizing things with the future in mind will change your life! I’m a true believer that stress levels decrease with order!
Have a happy, organized new year! TTFN…
Amy
