October has arrived! That means the beginning of the HOLIDAY SEASON. You know the drill.
First up, Halloween. That amazingly exciting celebration of costume parties, decorations galore and candy, candy, candy.
WHAT’S NOT TO LOVE??? I suggest it is time too, to consider your seasonal decoration supplies: how they are stored, boxed and retrieved. How do you even FIND your seasonal decorations??
I’ve been hired to clear the clutter of many a garage, and invariably, it’s the seasonal decorations – used but once a year – that cause concern and challenges for the homeowner. Therefore, please consider these time-tested tips for you, dear reader:
1. REVIEW YOUR HOLIDAY DECORATIONS SUPPLIES NOW - now, in early OCTOBER… not just for Halloween, but for THANKSGIVING and CHRISTMAS.
2. DISCARD USELESS, BROKEN, TATTERED OR ELECTRICALLY FRAIL ITEMS - no need to keep stuff you no longer appreciate or can use safely!
3. UPGRADE FROM CARDBOARD TO BINS - Sure, cardboard has been the staple storage device since storage was invented (??) … it’s biodegradable, folds flat when not used, and can be stacked, stashed, marked up, and comes in a variety of shapes and sizes. BUT (And…), it is ugly, attracts moisture and bugs, and eventually collapses and disintegrates.
4. GET CLEAR BINS FOR CLARITY - Consider investing in long-lasting bins of clear plastic. STERILITE, RUBBERMAID, and others own this market. Consider CLEAR for clarity. You’ll SEE the contents more readily. Bins stack well, so consider the proper size(s) and get multiples as needed. THE CONTAINER STORE has the most amazing variety of bins, and for a discounted deal, there’s AMAZON, TARGET, WALMART, HOME DEPOT, BIG LOTS and even the DOLLAR STORE.
5. WHAT DO YOU CALL AN “OLD BIN?” You know the type – old, cracked, missing the proper lid…. I call this a “HAS BIN,” and you may want to recycle or discard any bin without a matching lid.
6. CLEARLY MARK THE CONTENTS - Whether you are a SHARPIE FAN, a sticky LABEL fan, or just an 8½ x 11 copy paper with tape fan, why not MARK the CONTENTS on the top and multiple sides for ready reference, no matter which way the bin is positioned?
7. MAKE A SAFE, SIZEABLE LOCATION AVAILABLE - Many garage makeovers suffer from multiple boxes and bins in multiple locations… some are in the attic (how hot can you handle?), some are in the front of the garage, on a shelf, in a cabinet – basically all over the place. So I suggest, you “carve out” a sizeable area of space where you have room to maneuver. A place where all the HALLOWEEN items can live, a place where THANKSGIVING can feel at home, and a place of choice for CHRISTMAS decorations to shine.
8. DO THIS NOW - Timing is everything! Do this now, before you’re under pressure. Stock items get sold out and/or you pay top dollar for waiting till the last minute.
Did you know that after Christmas, a nearly $1 TRILLION business (that’s a lot of lights, trees and ornaments!!), HALLOWEEN has been growing steadily, and now is reported to be an estimated $10 BILLION business. That’s why you see those temporary POP-UP stores all over town.
When it comes to TMS* (Too Much Stuff), the holiday big box stores are counting on you to buy, buy, buy… more, more, more for your holiday season decorations. Don’t want to get caught up in the frenzy??? Try the nostalgic route: handmade greeting cards, art projects for decorations of goblins and witches, making a Thanksgiving turkey by tracing your fingers (remember those?), and ornaments made from plastic items like cups and bottles.
USING YOUR IMAGINATION can save you a bundle AND helps you manage your seasonal HOLIDAY DECORATIONS. So use that imagination of yours!!
As always, if you need guidance, coaching and/or a FREE PHONE CONSULTATION, give me a call or text. I am PASSIONATE about creating order from chaos, clearing clutter, and designing home organization systems using feng shui principles. Call 561-706-7779 or visit me on social media, and online @ aplusclutterclearing.com.
Enjoy the season, as it rapidly approaches, and feel even better by being deliberate, intentional, and getting your home in order.
CLEAR THE CLUTTER…CLEAR THE MIND™