Get Organized for Christmas - Make a Christmas Binder

With Christmas right around the corner, I've had several

requests to re-post a favorite to get you through

the holiday season a little less stressed.....

You can start this binder anytime during the year

and NO, its not too late to start it now.

Enjoy!

 

 

My Christmas Organizer Binder

Love it, Love it, Love it....

I have dividers for the following:

Recipes

Gifts

Decor / decorations

Calendar

Cards

Thank you's

Receipts

Recipes & Decor

During the year, when I see an interesting recipe or a pretty

decorating idea that would be good during the Christmas season,

I tear it out and put it in the binder. 

This keeps any new ideas in one place for me to look through

as the holiday gets closer. 

Gifts

I use the gift section all year long - not only for others but also my own family. 

When I hear a friend or family member say, "Isn't that cute - I should get one..."

in the binder it goes!

This is a great way to compile a list of ideas for everyone

so you'll never say, "I have no idea what to get her / him this year!!"

Also, when my hubby or I see something that we need / want, but

it really isn't necessary at the time, that "something"

goes in under gifts for us.

This way, when we are asked by parents or siblings for ideas for us,

I can actually give them several practical ideas instead of saying,

"Oh, whatever, we don't need a thing."

Then you end up with more stuff you don't need! 

Which leads to the inevitable clutter - uugghhh..

Calendar

I have a calendar to pencil in parties, personal deadlines for myself.

For example, have cards mailed by...., have decorations done by.....,

get Christmas tree this weekend....

Cards

I keep a list of who I sent Christmas cards to the year before.

Confession here - I actually stopped cards last year and loved it.

Horrible, I know.

Honestly, I probably won't send cards again - it truly was a liberating experience!!

Thank You's

I keep a list of presents received for hubby and me as well as the boys

under "Thank You's" to make sure I send a prompt note to the giver.

Yes, I make my sons (oldest right now) write "Thank You" notes,

even if they only copy what I write - it teaches them while they are young.

Receipts

I also keep a zippered pouch for receipts and a divider for larger online receipts

which I punch holes in.  This not only keeps track of $$, but also

makes any returns much easier.

Good idea:  At the end of the season to jot down supplies that you are running low on

while you are actively going through your wrapping supplies and decorations,

so when the sales happen - you'll know just what to pick up

(i.e. tissue paper, tape, ribbon, new tree skirt, large shirt boxes, etc....)

(Above on left) I also tear out gift ideas and prices from catalogs to jog

my memory as well get closer to the holiday.

One HUGE benefit I found of this binder is keeping track of how much I have spent.

With tracking receipts and gift purchases throughout the year,

I can shop the sales anytime and keep a current list of what I've bought

and how much I've spent on anyone. 

Very easy!!

Start a Christmas binder of your own and see what a huge difference it'll

make in your holiday season!

My Home Organizer Binder

I started this about two years ago and am SO glad I did.

  It is the one place I put my "important" papers so I can easily find them. 

 You can make one for your home very easily.  

I keep mine here.

Next to my kitchen sink I have my most favorite cabinet

It is the only one in my kitchen with glass doors

so for that - its my favorite

In in, I have my cookbooks and other binders:

Home Organizer

Cleaning Binder

Menu Planner Binder

Christmas Binder

Yes, I love office supplies too (can you tell?)

Today I'll walk you through making a Home Organizer Binder.

You'll need:

1. Three ring binder (I use 1 1/2 inch, but you decide on how much

paperwork will go in your's for your size.)

2. Subject dividers (I like the plastic ones with the pockets)

3. one pack looseleaf paper

4. Sheet protectors

Optional: a label maker

OK, let's get started.

In the front on mine, before any dividers I have several things in sheet protectors:

• current school calendar
• county dump / recycling hours
• library hours / storytimes
• credit report contact numbers (I'll get to that in a later post)

These papers I refer to often - whatever you refer to often should be put here.

For example:

• Babysitter lists and numbers
• stores / businesses you call frequently
• you could put your address book info here
• monthly list of birthdays and anniversarys

You get the idea

Side note on birthday / anniversary cards:

In January and July, I make a list of upcoming Bdays and anniversaries

for the next six months.

I go to the store with this list.  Usually buy several sympathy,

baby shower, blank generic cards as well.

When I get home, I put the person's name on a post it note

then stick it to the card.

I have a decorative box I got from Hobby Lobby that I store

all of my cards / stationary in and put them in there.

When I see on the calendar that someone's Bday is coming up,

simply go to the box, find their card and send it off.

Easy enough!

And I love only going card shopping twice a year and

also the fact that I don't have to run out last minute to

get one!

The first divider I have is "Kid Activities"

In the divider pocket, I have our chore charts for the fridge

Each Saturday night, we pay our oldest his allowance

and change his chore chart (which he fills with stickers)

FYI: $4.00 for taking out trash, organizing recycling,

food and water cats, bringing laundry baskets to mudroom when asked.

Pretty good deal, considering my allowance was a buck!  But

that was in the 70's - boy, am I dating myself??

In the Kid section I put any interesting craft ideas.

I just tear out of a magazine and punch holes in it or slide

it in a sheet protector, then pass along the

magazine to a friend or recycle.

I am a BIG magazine "sharer" by the way!!

.

Any info sheets about art / craft / sport activities in our community.

Mapquest directions to several out of town activities (so I don't have

to look them up again and again).

Carseat regulations for the growing kids

Educational website print outs / receipts that we order from frequently.

My second divider is "School"

• bookstore hours / receipts from purchased uniforms
• supply lists for current class
• tuition price listing
• standard testing results from each grade
• AR reading test results from the end of the year
• directory of classroom kids info

My third divider is "Projects" - my favorite

When I see a photo I like, I tear it out and punch holes

in it or slide it in a sheet protector and in the binder it goes. 

I don't have it organized like someplaces I've seen

by rooms / paints / furniture / craft ideas

It just all goes in this divider.

This is the "someday" that would be cool

to do/ make/ have/ buy, etc.....

My fourth divider is "Yard"

In this is guides on plant and tree care.

Composting ideas.

The care sheet from our deck finishing stain.

The care booklets from our Cracker Barrel rocking chairs - LOVE LOVE LOVE!!

Birdhouse ideas and suet recipes

landscaping ideas (again torn from magazines)

maintance list dates

My fifth divider is "Take Out Menus"

This one is pretty self-explanatory!

The last divider is "Trip Ideas"

This includes just "hubby and me" trips

as well as with the kids.

Again (from magazines) or websites.

This binder is a great place when you see something and it

triggers your mind, "That would be great for....."

It gives you an easy accesible place to put those

things - keep it organized and eases your mind.

I'm a strong believer in lists and things like that.

The best way to simplify your life is to ease your mind

and to ease your mind is to write stuff down or put something

where you can easily find it again.

The more your mind has to remember, the more stressed you will feel.

I printed out a cute "cover sheet" with a photo of hubby and the boys

and labeled it Alison's Home Organizer.

Pick a cute photo / pattern / color scheme

so you'll smile and feel good when you get it out! 

Its all about the simply things.....

Put it in a central place so its easily accessible

and start using it. 

You'll love it!!!