Christmas Binder Organizer

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!