by Debra Frank

Created on: December 30, 2008   Last Updated: January 22, 2009

Another Christmas has come and gone. Now it is time to calm the chaos and clutter from the holiday season. These tips will help to get you organized again and get a head start on next year!

1. Write it down

Start a journal or planner for next year. Record your holiday meal plans and traditions that went well. Record the things you'd rather not repeat as well. I use a ringed binder planner in which I have created a holiday section. I store my completed gift list, holiday menus & recipes, decorating ideas, and holiday decoration storage information in it.

2. Christmas Cards

Take time now to update your Christmas card list. After you've updated the list, don't throw those cards away! Give them new life by donating them to a senior center or church for craft projects or find a crafty way to reuse them.

3. Declutter as you put away holiday items

Are you becoming overwhelmed with the amount of holiday items you have? Did you use all of your tree ornaments? While you are removing your decorations, honestly assess and discard any that are not used or loved. Make sure that you donate or recycle the unwanted trinkets. Try to avoid adding to the landfill problem.

4. Start a new gift list

Begin planning for next year! Copy your list of gift recipients from this year. Make sure you leave space for two columns after each name, but keep the list paper size small enough that it can be tucked in your purse or wallet. Now when you are shopping and find a bargain, you can pull out your list and see for whom you need to buy a gift. After you buy the gift, make a check in the first column after the recipient's name. After you've wrapped and stored the gift for next Christmas, place the second check.

5. Find a place for the gifts you've received

Remember the saying, "A place for everything and everything in its place." Take this one step further and clean and organize as you find each new item's place. New socks? Sort your sock drawer and put the unmatched socks or holey socks with your cleaning supplies to be used for dusting. Did your children get lots of new toys? Help them to decide which of their old toys they are willing to part with and donate the "old" items to charity. I think you've got the picture.

With a bit of effort, your home can be more organized than it was before the holidays and hopefully your next holiday season will be a little less chaotic than this year.

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