Organize, But Stay Home to Do It

As the holidays loom, we look within our homes and take stock of all the crap we already have lying around and think "where is that tree going to go?  What about my snowman collection that I started when my first kid was born?"  My answer to that query is... hell, I don't know WHERE you're going to put those snowmen, but let's start with what is already cluttering up the casa.  

I love the Container Store.  LOVE.  Have loved since the outpost opened near my childhood home in Houston.  The boxes.  The hooks.  The labels.  It's heaven.  BUT it costs money.  And I don't feel that bringing shopping bags (which ARE reusable AND recyclable, though!) of more stuff you bought is the answer to decluttering and minimizing.  It just can't be. It's counter-intuitive.  So, I don't want you to run there first.  

You have heard the term "re-purposing", right?  It's kind of sexy these days, to take the old unused tool box from the garage and turn it in to a jewelry box.  You didn't have to buy anything, and you didn't use any gas to get anywhere.  Carbon footprint = still a size 5.  I don't know how to make a jewelry box from a tool box.   I am not going to go - all instructional manual click here for .pdf - on you.  

What I am going to tell you is that you can organize and purge with the powers in your home and your head.    I am going to offer a few tips that can be carried out right now, before the Christmas boxes come caroling from your attic and garage. 

Light bulbs.  Are they all in one place?  Do you have spares of the ones you use frequently? And does your family know where they are kept? These should be in a box so that the little night light bulbs don't get crushed by the floodlights!

Batteries.  An absolute necessity at holiday time.  Buy the AA and AAA in bulk at your big box store.  Keep them in the fridge (if you have room) in a sealed plastic shoebox (you know, the ones you bought at Container Store that you never put shoes in?).  Again, remind the family where they are kept and that they canNOT take the last AA without telling you that you're now out of batteries.  Punishment is waterboarding for that offense.  

Nails.  You probably want to hang things on the wall that you drag out during the holidays. Put these in the mason jars purchased to use at all your summer outdoor festivities.  Label accordingly.  Put on shelf, probably near the batteries.   And find that hammer!  

First Aid.  If you have family coming, you're going to need it.  A band-aid, some pain reliever.  A thermometer?  You would be alarmed at how many people present to my clinic (real job) and tell me that their "thermometer is broken". "I couldn't find it". "The batteries are dead". (Should I should refer them to two paragraphs ago?)   I will, of course, remind you to keep all medications away from both children and party guests, but for your sanity keep all these items together.  In another one of those clear shoeboxes, maybe?  Or the clear bin you have under your sink with expired medicines you should trash anyway.  Check those expiry dates!

You're almost ready for Thanksgiving!  Soon, we will discuss the kitchenware.  I hope your pre-holiday planning will be easier with today's suggestions/admonishments/demands.  Happy organizing!