by Heather Wagner

Created on: February 17, 2010

Is organizing not really your forte? Well don't worry, most people struggle with trying to get things organized and keep them organized.There are many ways to do this however the most effective way I have found is to keep memories in their proper order is to do a few things.

1) If all of your pictures are scrambled together in a shoe box, take them all out, carefully, and start separating them by whatever you want. Either year, person, place, or event. I personally like to go by year and then separate each year by month.

2) Next, once you have all these little piles on the floor or table, tell the family not to touch and get your keys. Head to Wal-mart or Michaels or your favorite scrapbooking store. At any of these stores find where they keep the scrapbooking organizing section. What you are looking for is a box that has card separators that you can write on. If the separators are slick they probably won't hold the ink. Or if they have ones that have blank inserts that you can change as you take out pictures and put some in, get that one. Get as many as you think you will need to hold all of your pictures. While you are at the store, ask for a wax pencil. These pencils are acid free and you can write on the back of the pictures without damaging them. Ok, time to check out and go home.

3) Once you get back home and you see that your pictures are still safely where you left them, find the pile that is the furthest back. With these pictures go through them and write on the backs (if you know) who, what, when, where, and why. Don't forget to use that cool new pencil you just bought. Now with your fancies box you just bought in between each divider, you can either put each set of pictures in by month or in by year. I perfer to keep them in by month.

4) Once your done with all your pictures, which may take awhile depending on how many pictures you had, start scrapbooking. This is a fun and easy way to make your memories last. If you have never scrapbooked, there are all kinds of idea books, getting started books, and even classes that you can take. Go to that local scrapbook store and ask a clerk how to get started and what you will need. Scrapbooking your photos will also insure that your pictures will stayed organized and safe.

While organizing your photos, don't be shy about asking other family members for help on when and what is going on in the pictures. It will also be good once you start to scrapbook them, because then you might get first hand accounts to perserve along with the pictures, which will be nice for future generations.

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