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Home organization 101: Holiday cleanup Home organization 101: Holiday cleanup
Home organization 101: Holiday cleanup ofStart tidying Are you so tired after the holidays that you consider throwing out the decorations with the tree rather than jamming them into their dusty, cramped boxes or plastic bags? With these useful tips from pro organizers Kathy Waddill of San Francisco and Janet Hennick of Toronto, nothing will be broken or tangled, there'll be no endless searching and putting everything away next year will be stress-free.Check the entire house for decorations so that nothing is missed and items get stored with the rest of the holiday stuff.Place a shelving unit in the basement or garage, rather than in prime storage space, since you'll probably only need to access the unit during the holidays. Put wreaths in clear plastic bags and place them on closely spaced shelves. Don't put tree ornaments back in their original boxes, says Kathy. Getting items back in these precisely packed boxes requires a lot of patience. Plus, you have to remember which balls go in which boxes ? that's more work than it's worth. Instead, buy holiday storage boxes with layers of trays divided into compartments for individual ornaments. They usually have seasonal decorations on the outside, making them easily identifiable. Rearrange the dividers, customizing the cardboard trays for different-size ornaments. If a tray doesn't have sides, put fragile items in the centre. Kathy also cuts off one corner of the tray so she can lift it out easily. Wrap each ornament in tissue (acid-free paper is only necessary if you have vintage collectibles) and put it on a little nest of tissue paper in the compartment. (If your storage area is damp, invest in plastic bins; otherwise, these less-expensive cardboard boxes will do.)Take ornaments off the tree in the reverse order of how you put them on: precious ones first, larger items last. This helps guard against breakage and means that next year the big ones will be at the top of the box.Wrap garlands around a piece of cardboard and layer them in an ornament box; if they're too large, wrap them in clear plastic and put them on the shelf with the wreaths. Buy a box specially made for storing tree lights. Some boxes come with handy notched cardboard inserts to wrap the lights around. You can make your own inserts if you can't find the boxes (this idea is convenient for long strings of outdoor lights, too). Get a two- by three-foot piece of cardboard; cut a series of one-inch triangular notches along each long edge and wind the lights around it (this method works especially well for icicle lights). This also allows you to test lights and easily replace burnt-out bulbs. Place the inserts in the storage box or wrap each in bubble wrap and put in a clear plastic bin. Keep extra bulbs in a clear plastic bag in the same container.Place oversize lawn decorations, like reindeers and Santas, vertically in the narrow slots between shelving units or between a unit and the wall. Cover three-dimensional pieces with plastic and put in a storage room. Put linens and table decorations in a clear plastic bin; add a sachet, or scented candles in a plastic bag (to release the scent, don't seal), so the linens don't get stained.Pack holiday china in a storage room.Store holiday baking gear like cookie cutters at the back of lower kitchen cupboards.A word to the wise: If you have so many decorations that you dread getting them out, putting them up and taking them down, then edit your collection down to a more manageable number. Remember, it's easier and faster to decorate with large pieces rather than lots of small ones.- Credit
- Kathleen Dore
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How to: Create a home filing system How to: Create a home filing system
How to: Create a home filing system ofHome organization 101: Create a home filing system Setting up a home filing system takes time initially, but imagine the time you'll save knowing where important papers are when you need them. We've put together a list of headings and subheadings that you might find useful. The information in brackets is just an example of the type of info you might file there. But filing systems are personal things ? they reflect your interests and needs. So, for instance, if you're a big traveller, having one file folder for travel may not be enough. You may have separate files for different regions of the world, for instance. The point is to keep things organized under the main headings Personal, Phone Numbers, Financial and Legal, and Home. Personal:Travel (maps, destinations, hotels, frequent flyer state-ments) Home (recipes, decorating, gardening, organizing, party planning) Family (parenting articles, sports teams) Health (one for each member of the family)School report cardsChildren's sports teamsPhone numbers and address subcategories:Business (home maintenance contacts, work references)Personal (master list, emergency contacts list)Financial and legal subcategories:Tax returns (current year, immediate past year, all other years); Important Certificates: (birth, marriage, divorce and death certificates) PassportsWills Mortgage agreements or leasesInsurance policies Car records Educational recordsMedical records (see below) Power of attorney Bank statements (each account gets a separate file) Credit card accounts (one file for each)Utility company billsRRSPs Investment records Loan agreements Pay stubs Home subcategories:.Warranties and appliance manuals. TIP: write the serial and model numbers on the front of the manual before you file.Receipts for major purchases of furniture and appliancesReceipts for household repairsTake-out menus- Credit
- Kathleen Dore
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Home organization 101: Holiday hot spots Home organization 101: Holiday hot spots
Home organization 101: Holiday hot spots ofOrganize the kitchen I love this time of year, but I firmly believe that tackling a major organizing project now would turn me into Scrooge. With our homes full of more stuff than usual ? gifts, decorations, baked goods and entertaining items ? the challenge is keeping things in order. That's why I sought advice from professional organizer Janet Hennick of J.R.H. Creative Concepts in Toronto, who swears it's possible to keep a house clutter-free during the holidays if you just keep an eye on the seasonal hot spots. Room serviceFirst on Janet's to-do list is the kitchen. ?The kitchen is the main hub of the family, and we love our food, especially at this time of year,? she says. Remove all the items that you don't use during Christmas, like any extra vases, summertime table linens and patio dinnerware, in order to make space for holiday linens and dishes. Also, during the holidays, don't do your household paperwork at the kitchen table or desk. Keep these areas clutter-free and use as extra counter space, when needed. If you're doing holiday baking ahead of time, put the goodies in freezerproof bags labelled with a permanent marker. When you're finished being Mrs. Claus for another year, freeze seasonal ingredients you won't be needing for awhile, like cranberries and raisins (again, bag and tag it). Consider tossing leftover cake flour or icing sugar, especially if you're a once-a-year baker. Set up a bar area, particularly if you usually store your liquor in a cabinet, so drinks are close at hand when guests drop in. Organize the living room and hall The room in which the tree resides, be it the living or family room, is another potential trouble spot. This area tends to be seasonally decorated in other ways, too, so it's crucial to minimize everyday clutter created by newspapers, magazines and mail, for instance. Be sure to stash those items in other rooms. Next, give the living or family room a once-over every day. Is everything in order? Are there items, like kids' toys or dirty dishes, that could be kept somewhere else? And no matter how much you like tabletop decorations, leave space for guests to put down their drinks or food. Outerwear and packages compete for prime real estate in the entry hall. Baskets offer a handy home for hats and mitts, and put a shoe rack in the closet. Alternatively, use an attractive mat for footwear or line up shoes and boots under a bench. Put extra hangers in the closet for guests' coats. Don't use the hall table as storage for mail or newspapers, and don't pile outgoing gifts here, either (put gifts going to other households in a labelled bag and store them with the rest of the presents.) Do put incoming gifts directly under your tree. As well, use a different entrance for pets, if possible, and keep leashes and a towel for dirty paws there.The fireplace mantel can either be a source of exquisite beauty or a real eyesore at Christmastime. ?Don't try to put all of your decorations up there,? says Janet. ?Spread stuff around.? A theme, like a nativity scene, candles or one colour, will help limit and visually link items. Though the sentiment behind holiday greeting cards is lovely, crowding a whole bunch on a mantel or tabletop is, let's face it, visual clutter (plus, they always blow over when you walk by). Tape cards to a door or display them on one wall in the kitchen or family room; use putty tape since the adhesive won't take off paint. I also love Tricia's approach: tuck greeting cards behind ribbon that criss-crosses a fabric-covered bulletin board. If you receive many, a folding screen treated in the same manner would be a neat solution. Personally, I love an idea from decorating marvel Mary Emmerling. She suggests putting cutesy cards in an antique bowl; you could simply put all your cards in a favourite container, like a silver bowl or tray, and leave it on the coffee table for guests to browse through. What could be simpler? At this time of year, simplicity is my goal.- Credit
- Kathleen Dore
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Holiday control Holiday control
Holiday control ofHoliday control I love this time of year, but with our homes full of more stuff than usual ? gifts, decorations, baked goods and entertaining items ? the challenge is keeping things in order. Janet Hennick of J.R.H. Creative Concepts in Toronto, who swears it's possible to keep a house clutter-free during the holidays, offers these tips to help you stay organized (and sane!)Label gifts with temporary tags (if you're buying for a lot of people) and place in a designated spot ? a guest room, basement or other seldom-used space, suggests Janet. Organize a basement closet to store gifts, decorations, entertaining items and other holiday overflow early in the season, if you have time. For gift-wrapping paraphernalia, use a big plastic container that fits under the bed or in a closet. Inside, keep all the materials you need sorted in separate containers. Include wrapping paper (lay rolls in one area; no need for a separate container), tissue paper, gift bags and tags, metallic pens, ribbons, bows, scissors, tape and crafty items, like faux holly sprigs, for embellishing wrapped gifts. Take the kit to wherever you're wrapping and put it away when you're finished.Co-ordinate holiday decorations with your existing decor to create a visually uncluttered space. A colour-coordinated scheme not only looks organized, it's so beautiful you'll want to leave it up all year.Party tipsPreparing for a holiday get-together? Here's some advice!1 Store plenty of candles in one place 2 Use attractive baskets as garbage cans; place them in visible locations3 Clean table linens, polish silver, and handwash and dry crystal in advance4 Rent a coat rack for a large crowd 5 Offer only one or two types of drinks, like eggnog and/or punch6 Set up only one food station: serve food buffet-style from the dining table 7 Treat yourself: rent dishes, glasses, cutlery and table linens, or hire caterers, florists and cleaners- Credit
- Kathleen Dore
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Organizing 101: Countdown to Christmas Organizing 101: Countdown to Christmas
Organizing 101: Countdown to Christmas ofWeeks 1 to 4 ?Christmas is a race to see which gives out first ? your money or your feet.? This wry observation from an unknown source expresses the stress and strain that the holidays can bring. But it doesn't have to be that way. Use our eight-week holiday countdown checklist, and you'll be busy in November, but by mid-December, you should simply be keeping your home in order and enjoying the season. What could be better than that?WEEK 1: NOV. 1 TO 7Theme Pick a theme like French country or rustic for decorating and gift wrap; use a colour scheme that works with your decor.Decorations Make a decorating schedule for your home. List the areas to be decorated and what you'll do there.Put together a list for outdoor decorating.Do an inventory of your decorations, leaving out pieces that don't work with this year's theme. Make a list of new decorations you'll need and shop for them (don't forget candles). This can be your master plan for years to come, so it may be time well invested; however, this step can also be optional. TIP: Start a new tradition and make holiday decorating fun by hosting a decorating party. Plan it now for the second week of December and send invitations.Wrapping supplies Shop for materials. TIP: Choose items like tissue paper that can be used year-round. Purchase three colours that complement your Christmas colour scheme; splurge on ribbons and artificial berries or greenery from a craft store, or gather fresh ones or purchase them from a florist (get them as close as possible to the time you'll give the gifts). Decorate Order floral arrangements.WEEK 2: NOV. 8 TO 14Cards Computerize your Christmas-card address list. Microsoft Word for Mac and PC users has the capability to generate mailing labels; check under the Tools heading. TIP: Use regular labels (available at stationery or office supply stores) and a nice font, such as one that makes the type look like handwriting.If you haven't already bought Christmas cards, now's the time. Buy postage for all the cards and gifts you'll be mailing. Send overseas items. TIP: Shop for next year's cards and gift wrap during Boxing Day sales.Presents Finalize your list and hit the stores. If you're making simple gifts, get cracking. TIP: Limit craft, gift-making, wrapping and baking projects to what's realistically doable.WEEK 3: NOV. 15 TO 21Lights Test interior and exterior lights. Tableware Assess what special serving pieces you'll need and add pieces, if necessary. Launder and press linens. TIP: If you have a guest room, lay the unfolded tablecloth on the bed after ironing to prevent creasing.WEEK 4: NOV. 22 TO 28Tidy up Don't organize, simply maintain. Devise a system for clutter. Visit flylady.net, the site of FlyLady, for tips on crisis cleaning, and daily and weekly cleanup schedules. Weeks 5 to 8 WEEK 5: NOV. 29 TO DEC. 5ExteriorPut up exterior decorations like wreaths, garlands and swags, and outdoor lights. (The first week of December is when this is usually done; however, it's a question of personal taste.) TIP: There are no hard and fast rules about the order in which you decorate the outside of your house and garden with the exception that lights go up first. Cards Write five to 10 cards each night this week and mail them the next day. Take out china and clean if dusty. Polish silverware, if necessary. Wash fine glassware. WEEK 6: DEC. 6 TO 12DecorateHost your decorating party. The day before, ensure you have all the supplies you'll need, like hooks, wire, a hammer, nails and so on. TIP: For easy entertaining, buy frozen appetizers, veggie and dip plates, bakery-made sweets, and a few beverages. Decorating on your own? Set aside an area in a corner of the living room or family room where you can bring out everything. Decide which area you'll decorate first (mantel, banister, front door, windows and so on), and bring the appropriate decorations to that area. Complete one area at a time. TIP: Set aside at least half to one day if you're decorating on your own. WEEK 7: DEC. 13 TO 19Tree Buy a tree the day before you plan to decorate it; remove the netting or plastic bag and let it open for 24 hours in a protected area outdoors or in an unheated garage. When ready to trim, cut an inch off the trunk and bring the tree inside, placing it in room-temperature water. TIP: It's a good idea to have a traditional date for the annual tree-trimming event. For instance, Dec. 18, my sister's birthday, was the annual day when I was growing up. I try to keep this tradition with my family now. Presents Wrap everything over a few nights.DecorateAdd fresh greenery to indoor decorations (turn down the thermostat at night to keep greenery fresh longer).WEEK 8: DEC. 20 TO 25Decorate Pick up floral arrangements, if you ordered them. If making your own, buy fresh flowers and any other necessary supplies.Tidy up Spot-clean, declutter and practise FlyLady's crisis cleaning strategy. Set your holiday table one or two days before Christmas, if possible. Enjoy!- Credit
- Kathleen Dore
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Home organization 101: Organizing closets Home organization 101: Organizing closets
Home organization 101: Organizing closets ofAssessing your needs and purging What a difference a day makes. That's about how long it will take you to totally refurbish your clothes closet. A weekend, perhaps, if you have to shop for an organizing system. So why do you keep putting it off? I spoke with Toronto-based professional organizer Estelle Gee of Orderly Lives, who shares her five-step game plan.The five-step game plan1 Assess your needsList the categories of items that will go in your closet. ?Some people have very little storage space, so they might put other things in the clothes closet,? says Estelle, like sports equipment, an iron and ironing board, extra linens and photo albums. 2 Purge?Be ruthless,? says Estelle. ?Women wear only about 20 per cent of their wardrobes. We tend to wear clothes that are comfortable, make us look good, and fit.? Yet many of us keep clothing that doesn't fit, we don't look good in, isn't fashionable, holds old memories and so on. If purging sounds tough, hire a pro for a supportive, objective opinion, or ask a friend to help.3 Deal with roadblocksYour closet should reflect who you are now ? both your self-image and your lifestyle. The purging stage can bring up regrets about yesterday (Why did I buy that?) and hopes for tomorrow (Maybe it will fit again). When dealing with those items that bring up emotional stuff, Estelle suggests you ask yourself these questions:? Do I feel comfortable/good in this?? Does this fit?? Does this make me look good?? Is this still stylish or does this accurately represent my personal style?? Is this easy to maintain? ? Does this suit/reflect my lifestyle (for instance, if you've had a career change or become a mom)?If you answer no to any of the above about a piece of clothing, let it go. Designing your space 4 Design the space The infrastructure of your closet should accommodate your clothes and other items so that they're visible and accessible, as well as flexible enough to change as your wardrobe changes. The design of the space should take into account any physical limitations, such as back or knee problems, that will affect the height at which your clothes should be stored (in order to avoid reaching up or bending down).Begin by sorting your clothes into shirts/ blouses, pants, skirts, sweaters, jackets, long dresses and so on. Estimate both the amount and type of storage you need ? shelving, drawers/cubbyholes for foldables, rods for hanging items, and assorted accessories like tie hooks and shoe racks. You can also sort your clothes by colour, season (store off-season items elsewhere), use (work, casual, formal) and person (for shared closets).Then, it's time for you to go shopping. Closet-organizing retailers often offer design services, as well as a variety of organizing systems for different budgets, and many nifty organizing accessories. Estelle works with Toronto's Space Age Shelving. For DIYers, Estelle says, “Don't overlook stores such as IKEA, Home Depot, Zellers and Canadian Tire ? there are lots of organizing tools out there.” Some of her favourites include wooden or good-quality plastic tubular hangers (all in the same colour); a valet rod or hook, so you can put an outfit together the night before; IKEA's hanging nylon shoe organizer (it can also be used to store baby clothes, accessories and kids' toys); a slide-out tie and belt organizer; and clear bins and boxes (if you're using opaque ones, paste a picture of the contents on the outside of each box).5 Keep up the good work“Do a major purge once a year if the structure is working, your closet is meeting your needs and you're not a compulsive shopper,” says Estelle. “If you're more ambitious, do it twice a year when you're doing the switchover of the seasons. Do a little every day ? take five minutes to hang up clothes and throw the laundry in a hamper (preferably in the closet) ? then it doesn't seem like such an onerous task.”- Credit
- Kathleen Dore
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Organizing 101: Holiday wrap-up Organizing 101: Holiday wrap-up
Organizing 101: Holiday wrap-up ofGreeting cards Greeting cardsHere's your chance to end last-minute dashes to the card store by setting up a system that reminds you who to send cards to and when. It will also enable you to buy and organize a year's worth of cards ahead of time. Make lists? Create monthly lists of birthdays, anniversaries and any other special occasions for all family members and friends (include name and date of event).Create a system ? Buy either an accordion file or a large binder. ? Mark sections for each month; add a section behind the monthly divisions for extra cards, such as birthday, congratulations, get well, sympathy, thank you, and all-occasion blank cards for a new friend, or that perfect card you happen to find two weeks after you've already sent out another one. ? File each monthly list in its appropriate section in the accordion system, or three-hole-punch the lists and place them in the appropriate sections in the binder. ? Purchase all of your gift cards ahead of time. File them in the appropriate month. For the binder, use top-loading plastic sheet protectors to store cards. Look for heavy-duty ones designed for multiple documents, which will hold more cards and last longer than those designed for regular use. (All supplies are available at office supply stores.)Get started ? At the end of each month, check next month's list to ensure that you have cards for everyone. Send all the cards for that month at the same time. For example, send cards for February toward the end of January. If a person's birthday doesn't fall until the end of February, send a card toward the end of January anyway; better the person receives it a few weeks early than not at all. Gift wrap Gift wrap How you store supplies depends on what kind of wrapper you are (elaborate or minimalist), how many supplies you have, and whether you use a designated wrapping area (a corner of a room) or your dining table. ? Choose a spot for supplies -- ideally, as close as possible to where you wrap. If the only space you have is a basement corner, consider setting up a work surface nearby. ? Store holiday papers separate from other papers, if possible. ? Rolls of wrapping paper can be stored in a variety of ways, such as Rubbermaid wrapping storage containers, which come in horizontal and vertical models. Slide a horizontal one under a guest bed, if possible, so that you have space for off-season clothes storage under the beds in your family's rooms. Tall baskets, laundry hampers, wastebaskets or umbrella stands are other options. ? Storage boxes are excellent for ribbon, scissors, tape, embellishments like dried flowers, and tissue paper; shoeboxes work well if stored out of sight. Place them under the same bed as rolls, or stack them on shelves near your wrapping area. ? Spools of ribbon can also be hung on the wall in a designated wrapping area. Thread the spools onto a piece of string hung between two wall-mounted hooks. Other options for: hang dowels on the wall, or hooks on a pegboard. Even paper towel holders (wall mounted or countertop) do the trick. ? For flat paper, if you have space, mimic store displays by slipping single sheets over towel bars wall mounted vertically about one foot apart, so you can see the patterns at a glance. If you don't have space, you can layer the sheets. Keep square packages of wrapping paper under rolls in a Rubbermaid horizontal wrap container or any sweater storage box. ? In a closet, a canvas zippered wardrobe can hide a wealth of rolls; stand them in wastebaskets at the bottom of the wardrobe. Canvas shoe organizers make great cubbies for smaller supplies like ribbon; larger canvas sweater organizers provide shelving for bows and gift boxes. ? Keep folded gift bags in one large gift bag or fold flat and store in a large plastic storage container or drawer. ? Custom built-ins offer premier storage. Gail Johnston Habs, editor of Style at Home, included a drawer in her home office renovation for gift bags and ribbon. When planning built-ins, ensure drawers are at least 32 inches wide to accommodate 30-inch rolls of paper. Use dividers to separate rolls of paper from smaller supplies. If drawers are deep, stack storage boxes (the size of photo storage boxes) and organize bows, ribbons, tape and scissors. Stationery Stationery Have note cards and stationery on hand for thank-you cards and thinking-of-you notes. ? Stock up on note cards from discount tables at card, gift and bookstores. ? Use a medium-size decorative storage box to organize the small boxes; store favourite pens in the box, too. Display it on a shelf in a home office or close to wherever you do correspondence. A shoebox could also work and be stored out-of-sight on a closet shelf. ? Keep a supply of fine stationery and matching envelopes. Store loose paper and envelopes in a folder in a file cabinet, a plastic sheet protector at the back of your greeting card binder, or in a separate, appropriately sized box alongside your note card storage box. Scent the paper with a few sprigs of dried lavender (separated from the paper with a sheet of tissue, so oils don't stain the paper) or a sachet.Address books Take the time now, at the beginning of the year, to update addresses in your book, PDA or on your computer. ? Transfer all contacts to your computer, if you haven't done so. Most programs include a contact book that you can access, edit and use to generate lists and labels once information has been entered. It will make sending out party invitations and Christmas cards easy. 10 essentials for furnishing a wrapping area 1 work surface (a plain table will do)2 chair (it will save your back if you wrap frequently or elaborately)3 wall-mounted shelves, or small bookcase4 wall-mounted pegboard (for scissors, ribbon, tape and more)5 cart with transparent or wire drawers (so you can see contents)6 a container for rolls of wrapping paper7 lidded storage boxes8 tabletop pen holder and selection of favourite pens and markers9 scissors and tape10 wrapping supplies- Credit
- Kathleen Dore
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The holiday issue
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Happy holidays!
Gift guide: We shopped till we dropped to find the best gifts for all the home lovers on your list; Going green: Make your home look freshly festive with do-it-yourself projects featuring lush greenery like moss, silver sage, myrtle and ferns; Decor... more -
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- Organizing 101: 30 holiday clutter busters
- 10 things to do in August
- Organizing 101: Organizing broom closets
- Home organization: 8 storage solutions
- Home & living checklist: August
- Organizing 101: Kitchen hot spots
- 5 things to get rid of
- Organizing 101: Outdoor entertaining
- 8 rules for designing a kid's room
