I’m not quite ready to dismantle the decorations, but I know it’s time to start thinking about the the next steps for the season…the tear down. I know I need extra holiday storage items to put away the new decorations I bought this year.

Our personal favorite for Ornament Storage is the Snapware Snap ‘N Stack Ornament Boxes. I love the fact that I can stack as many tiers as I need or that will fit into the dedicated holiday storage area in our garage. If you are looking for an ornament chest, Iris makes several sizes that are also stackable and the Titanium group is still one of the most popular. All items are made of a durable vinyl that will last for years.
 
Holiday Storage Tip 101:
Take inventory of the items you have to store. Do you need to think about tree storage? After that, you will need containers for your wreaths, lights, ornaments and assorted decorations. If you begin with all the right storage items, your project will be successful and easy to complete. If there are ornaments and decorations that you will not use again, don’t store them for another year. Donate them to a family in need or your local Salvation Army.

No matter how organized you are, there always seems to be a few last minute gifts you need to pick up. I’m no exception. Giving presents is one of my favorite things to do and I typically leave out no one. In today’s check list, I remembered the nail shop, while Terry added his hair shop, along with a baby gift he owed. Don’t forget Hostess Gifts for your Christmas Eve and Christmas Day hostess. If you saw The Today Show this morning, Meredith Vieira had some great ideas that included Mrs. Meyers Lotions and Cleaners. These are great last minute gifts, easy to wrap or bag and are wonderful in a gift basket! The Gingerbread is yummy and all the candles smell just as good. The best part? These products are earth friendly, so you are also giving a ‘green gift’ at the same time.

If you are in need of a great last minute gift that needs to be personal - gift baskets are the answer. My advice is to choose a theme, the colors and run with it. I’ve recycled several theme ideas and with a sprinkle of different product, they are unique. Some of my favorites are “The Perfect Bath” (a bath caddy is a great start), “The Party’s In Here”, (champagne and blowers included), “Coffee & Me” (Starbucks & more), “Girlfriends” (see The Laundress!) and tons of Holiday ideas that are just as fun to make as they are to give. Just remember, there’s no right or wrong and pretty ribbons are definitely the finishing touch. My latest? A stack of filled red holiday snowflake boxes tied and accented with pink,white, red ribbons along with a tube of the cutest All Decked Out lip glosses (Two’s Company) hanging from the top bow. I must say, it looked very cute.

I’m off for what I hope to be my final dash tonight. I am so ready to start enjoying the most wonderful time of the year!

Happy Shopping!

Mrs. O

Holiday parties are upon us - our house included! You know how much I love to entertain and this season our home will be filled with friends and family once again. We will kick off the Holidays with a party for 80 this week. This may sound crazy, but I just can’t wait! Every room is in order (or will be by tonight), is as decorated as it can be for now, the caterer’s and servers are lined up and most of the shopping is done. I’m down to my favorite part…the details. These are really the most fun for me and I think I’ve bought whatever I could find in red, pink and silver combo. Nate Berkhus and I have one huge thing in common. We shop anywhere and I did! It’s just about time to add the flowers, light the candles, bring in the music, add the Holiday spirit and we’re ready.

If you are entertaining, the most important thing to keep your sanity is to also keep daily lists going. This will help you stay organized and on track to enjoy the day of your event. List books are great and Holiday Organizers - even better. Remember to have fun yourself and to make it great for your date, spouse or partner. Have that cute little cocktail dress ready, with shoes and bag at it’s side. It’s definetely the time of the year for something fun to put in your hair.

Holiday Entertaining Tips:

Be sure that you check your list twice for party tubs, where you will hang those extra coats and wraps (garment racks do the trick!), are there guest towels or napkins in the bathrooms and do you have enough glasses? I chose acrylic martini glasses for our Signature Lemon Drops we’ll serve at this year’s party. Everyone loved them at the last soiree.

Happy Entertaining!

Mrs. O

This year has been a blast! Terry and I celebrated our 1st Anniversary on Labor Day weekend and I have had my dream job in Marketing for almost as long. I really am a lucky gal and have a lot to be thankfull for. I’m counting my blessings twice this year.

Speaking of giving thanks, are you on the road to ready yet? Only 17 more days until Thanksgiving. Before we start talking turkey, let’s talk getting organized, the table and decorating.

The Steps To A GREAT Thanksgiving?

- Make your lists! You may want to take a look at our List Books and Holiday Planners to get you started on the right track.

- Take check of your Thanksgiving Tools. We’ve together an easy list of must haves.

- The Guest List. Whether you are having a sit down dinner for 12 or a buffet for 50, if you haven’t already, extend your invitations and take count of the number of guests that will be around your table.

- Plan your dinner menu. I typically have three lists. The first is my Costco list, that includes everything that I can buy there in advance. The second are items that I can purchase ahead of time at my local supermarket and the last includes all the fresh items that I need to buy just a day or so before the Holiday.

- Organize your shopping list. Keep this stored on your computer so that you can save and add to it. Print and hang on your refridgerator so that it’s available in the kitchen as you run out of or remember items, too. One of the best items I found so far, is the SmartShopper Electronic Organizer. It’s voice activated, prints your lists. It doesn’t get much easier than that. I found them at Frontgate.com and Sur la Table. Great gift idea too!

- Give thought to your linens, charger plates and serving pieces. Are the linens pressed, would you like a new fall color in tablecloths and napkins to adorn the dining room this year and are the guest bathrooms and bedrooms in order?

- Decorate! Candles will light up any room and make them feel warm and cozy. Check your inventory for tapers, votives and maybe add a new lantern or two to freshen your decor. There are some really fun ones on the market right now. Hang your wreaths, be sure you have the the right floral containers, and if you are thinking about making placecards or one of your favorite crafty items for Thanksgiving - head to the craft stores early to get your material and get started!

Oh and don’t forget…get a brand new bag for all those trips to the grocery store and help the enviroment at the same time!

Happy Organizing!

-Mrs. Organized

My kids are grown now, but I can remember each costume for just about every year. I guess I should since I sewed most of them! There were bunnies, pumpkins, clowns, and mummies. I think we wrapped ‘mummy’ for hours. We have so many more things to be cautious of today when it comes to safety, so be sure you have thought about the last minute check list:

 - Keep costumes away from fire and open flames

 - Watch those capes and dangling fabrics

 - Be sure to have plenty of flashlights (and batteries!)

 - Start out at dusk and stay in groups

 - Let your children know that they must obey “Halloween Buddy” rules (tell them the bats will get them if they don’t!)

 - Take “safe candy checks’ seriously. If in doubt toss it!

 According to Judith Lieberman of The Today Show, Halloween is the fifth highest day for candle fires, which closely follows Christmas. “Most fires happen between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. so it is crucial to turn off lights before bedtime and blow out candles”.

Make Halloween fun, and be sure to have the right items to store all your Halloween costumes for younger siblings, friends and relatives for “re-cycle” when it’s time to put them away. You can find storage boxes in plastic, corrugated or canvas at Organize.com in just about any size you might need. Don’t forget to label each container with the costume title, size and year so that you can easily find them when you want to!

Have a Happy & Fun Halloween!

- Mrs. Organized

Many of you already know how I just LOVE the holidays - so the fun is just beginning! Fall is really in the air and Thanksgiving is just around the corner. We’ve added a list of fall faves to our site that includes the kitchen tools to help any cook get organized. We’ll also help you to organize every room in your house before the company arrives. I’m anxious for you to see how easy we’ve have made our storage category to shop and will look forward to your comments and suggestions. This year we’ve added holiday decor, hostess gifts and something special for everyone. We also expanded our china and stemware, food, and holiday storage categories. We hope to help make this year’s holidays the most enjoyable!

Happy Fall!

Mrs. Organized

Today’s thought:

Simplicity is making the journey of of this life with just baggage enough.

- Charles Dudley Warner