Maja shares her ideas and hints for putting away and storing Christmas decor. She also helps you to organize her holiday decorations so that it’s much easier to find what you need next year!

Step #1: Get Bins to store your precious ornaments and holiday things in (sterilite containers at Walmart etc.)
Step #2: Get your Labels ready, mark down contents of every single bin (Maja uses 3×5″ inch cards and a black marker)
Step #3: Use the Mantra (top to bottom, left to right, focus, focus, focus)
Step #4: Tape gun at the ready
Optional Step #5: Create a Binder or Master list with the contents of each bin for easy reference, don’t forget to number the bins if you choose this method.

Listener Poll: “When do you think is the best time to take down your Christmas decorations?”. Please leave your comments in our shownotes.

The Savvy Organizer podcast experienced the great honor this week, of being included in the iTunes “New and Notable” category for kids & family podcasts.

Thank you for subscribing to our show via iTunes and for your support and comments.  We’re overwhelmed with the response we’ve had to the show and site.

 For many of us there is going to be new stuff coming into our homes because of the holidays, and now (lucky you) you have find a place to put it!

Space is always at a premium, and most of us have WAY more than we need, so this is why we need to consistently work on throwing things out!  (However, I am a huge environmentalist so try to recycle, and give away as much as possible - it will make you feel good that you are doing something good for the environment).

The habit: get rid of 5 things everyday!  Make it a part of your tidy up routine, or throw it in the middle somewhere - just as long as you do it.  This is something you will learn to LOVE to do and as it is only 5, it takes no time at all.  It will feel as great as a hot shower…  Purging is so wonderfully therapeutic!  So aim to do this every day and soon you will be on your way to a less cluttered and more relaxed home and life!  Happy chucking!

If you’re feeling holiday overwhelm, or you’re having trouble doing the Christmas balancing act…this show is for you!
It’s crunch time, and also time to do the “slash and burn” dance and figure out exactly what is most important, while pushing aside things that will cause you too much stress, or that you just don’t have time for.This episode will help you to schedule in the events and memories with family and friends ahead of time. We’re going to be booking activities now, to ease your hectic schedule next week. Maja also talks about the pursuit of “perfection” vs. “happiness”. Do you have BIG Expectations and holiday stress? Maja encourages you to be happy and to “let go of what you have to” to actually enjoy the special moments. Pat yourselves on the back for all you have accomplished so far, take a deep breath and enjoy the Holiday. Merry Christmas!

**Congratulations to our first Giveaway winner “Katie”. You have won a copy of Deceptively Delicious by Jessica Seinfeld. Thanks so much everyone for participating, we have many more giveaways to come in the New Year.

Today’s tip focuses more on Christmas planning.  There are only a couple weeks left, and Today is the day you revisit your notebook and see how your list is going.

Check list:
Have you figured out what you are buying for people?
Have you finished your sewing projects?
Have you planned your meals with a calendar?
What about your Christmas baking - is it almost done?

Now is the time to regroup and refocus and get back into gear!You will want to be going back to your list a few times over the coming weeks to make sure you are still on target, and make any necessary adjustments. Can you still accomplish all that you want and still be sane?  If not, make some cuts.  It is far more important that you are happy for your sake and your family’s - everyone will enjoy the holidays SO much more than if you are a stress case with everything done and perfect. It’s not about Perfection, it’s about happiness.