I know it’s been more than a month since Christmas (!) but I thought I’d show you how I display and store my Christmas cards so you can pin this idea for next year

• Hang a couple of pieces of ribbon on either end of your doorway. I had two up but alas, I only filled the one. The rest of the cards arrived after I’d taken all the decorations down
• Use clothespegs to pin the card to the ribbon. I got some really cute ones last year at a local stationery store (CNA) but in previous years I used the plain wooden ones.
• I like them pinned this way rather than horizontally because you can get more on your string.

the whole string

top section – the other ribbon with an ornament added some bling

and the bottom section

more close-ups

can you see my reflection in the ornament?

here are the cute clothespegs and the grosgrain ribbon – a nice thick ribbon feels sturdier

and this was hanging at the top – I love these What are your favourite ways to display your Christmas cards?    *********************************************

I’m a big believer in setting yourself up for success.

If your environment supports you, you’re halfway there.

So, when it comes time for Christmas cards, I like to get all my stuff ready and then it makes the whole process easy and pleasant.

This is my process:

1. Make a list of people to send to
2. Count out the cards. On this note, I banned myself from buying any cards for about two years because I had such a large stash. I’m happy to say I have about 7 left so I can buy next year again
3. Double-check the addresses, especially to overseas friends
4. Write all the names (and addresses) on the envelopes, and for those to be mailed, put stamps on with airmail stickers.
5. Rope the kids in. This year, for the first time, I had them write their names in the cards (they each did a scribble and I wrote their name next to their scribble – messy but meaningful)
   Add photos (I had one pic that I had printed a gazillion times – much cheaper than doing photo cards – R3 vs R8 – R12 each).
6. Put in pretty basket ON desk

A note about the basket on the desk

• It’s going to annoy me every day having that basket take up real estate.
• This is good for me because it motivates me to get those cards out.

Box with envelopes, addressed

overseas ones are the priority – the one in the front was jetting off to Ireland

Side view

my box of cards – separated into categories to make it easy for me to find things. Yes, I do use TONS of cards, probably 10 – 20 per month.

View from above

Do you send Christmas cards?

Any tips for getting them out quickly?

What seems to work well for you?

Do you write messages in the cards, or only “dear ____, love from ____”?

P.S. Organise your home will help you declutter and set yourself up for organising success in the new year.

that’s Connor under the Christmas tree

If you’re like me, you’ll use the after-Christmas sales to stock up on gift wrap, cards, etc. and get HUGE discounts.

You can get your cards at definitely 50% off; in some cases you can get an even bigger discount.

This is a great time to evaluate what you DO have so that you don’t just rush out and get more later this year when you do already have enough.

Quickly count your unused Christmas cards, gift tags, gift bags, etc. and write down the numbers on either a post-it note or index card. Store it with your supplies so you don’t have to wonder where that piece of paper is.

Here’s how I store mine

And here’s a post on my Christmas decoration storage

Happy organising

There are less than 3 months to Christmas.

When you think about that, what do you feel? Do you feel overwhelmed and just a little bit stressed at everything you have to do? Or do you feel excited at the idea of spending time with friends and family?

My best Christmasses have always been when I’ve been organised, prepared and more importantly, when I didn’t leave everything right up until December

Here are a couple of things to consider so that you have an organised Christmas this year:

Your vision for a great Christmas
Decide, together with your family, if you want to celebrate with many spiritual activities, spend time at home with just your immediate family, do lots of baking, etc.

Christmas cards
Will you be sending cards by themselves, or with a family newsletter? Or will you be sending cards at all? Do you have a list of recipients?

Christmas gifts
Will you be giving gifts this year? Are you making any gifts or are you buying them all? Do you have a gift-giving budget? Remember to budget for gift wrap, gift tags and, if necessary, postage to your loved ones who live in a different city. Do you have a system to keep up with the thank-you notes?

Christmas Day
Where will you spend the day – with your parents or his? Or will the family gather at your house? Who will cook the food? Which recipes will you use? Do you know where to find them?

Someone asked me, “how far in advance should you plan?“
Well, that depends on how much stress you can tolerate

Personally, I like to have gifts done by the end of October and cards by mid-November. That’s because I really don’t enjoy the stress of having to get the perfect gift with no time to spare. Add to that the crowded malls and you can practically see my blood pressure rising!

I like to start planning at the beginning of October and I set myself mini-goals of compiling my card list first, then planning backwards so I write out a certain number of cards per week until they’re all done by my self-imposed due date.

And I do the same for gifts. I also wrap a few gender-neutral gifts just in case someone pops around with something for me. It’s relaxing for me to prepare a beautifully-wrapped gift with a gift tag because I believe that presentation is part of the gift.

Something I do that has saved me lots of money is I no longer buy Christmas gift wrap. Instead, I buy red and green coloured craft paper and matching ribbon. I can use the paper year-round with a different bow so that it doesn’t look Christmassy for birthday gifts.

This year, get organised for Christmas with the 14-page Christmas Planner so you can welcome the season instead of dreading it. This planner is for the overwhelmed!

Christmas is just 6 weeks away so we have 2 Christmas challenges this month.

Week 1 – Start the Christmas cards
Make a list of people who you’re sending Christmas cards to this year.

Buy enough packs of cards, divide the number by 4 (to ensure that you have them all ready by the beginning of December) and start writing some out every evening.

Tip You can also do a conveyer belt – one person writes the card, one does the envelope and the next one does the stamps.

Week 2 – Organise your guest room
You are going to make sure you have fresh sheets on the bed, that you have spare towels and guest toiletries and most of all, some space for your guests to put their clothes. I’m guessing that you’ll have to do some decluttering too.

Most of us use our spare rooms as extra storage space so now is a good time to get rid of all the old things you’re keeping there.

If you get this out of the way now, you don’t have to go running around at the last minute if you have people to stay over Christmas or New Year.

Even if you’re not having any guests, use this time and still declutter and organise the space, especially if you use the room for sewing or other crafts.

Week 3 – Make a list of gifts to make or buy.
Remember the special people in your life with a gift. Decide if you’re making any or just buying. If you are buying, make a budget and stick to it. Remember to add in gift wrap and ribbon!Remember it is not worth going into debt buying gifts. It truly is the thought that counts

TAKE CHARGE tip
Buy plain rolls of coloured kraft wrap and gold or silver ribbon for a cheaper alternative. Try to give gifts that can be used so that recipients aren’t faced with more clutter. If you google clutter-free gifts you will get plenty of ideas. There are also some great gift ideas at http://betterbudgeting.com/

Week 4 – Declutter tablecloths and placemats

Go through all the tablecloths to see which are stained, ugly or just don’t bring you joy.

Remember, anything you don’t love should go. When you buy new stuff, get in the habit of throwing something out or donating to someone. The old one in-one out principle.

The same goes for placemats. Last weekend I went through my sideboard drawer and found placemats that suited my previous house but not this one (country cottage vs more modern), so I gave them to my helper.

Have fun with this one and if you’re really good, you’ll have the space so that if you see something you absolutely have to have, you can reward yourself!