This is what I wish my front entry looked like right now.

But, it doesn’t.

Not even close.

It’s auditioning for an episode of entry ways gone wild.

There are bit of paper and ribbon and tags and empty stockings and a reindeer wearing a party hat and sunglasses.

Christmas 2016 is officially in the books.

Normally I’d let all that paper and the reindeer intimidate me.

But not this year.

This year I’m planning and preparing and arranging and getting organized.

Who’s with me?

Here’s my list of how to get organized after Christmas.

1. Un-decorating

Don’t put all your Christmas decor away.

Some of it is actually Christmas disguised as winter.

Christmas snowflakes are winter snowflakes. Reindeer are actually winter forest creatures. Table top trees are actually winter flora and fauna. Twinkle lights are just like stars in the sky.

Red and green decor, parting is such sweet sorrow.

But the rest of you twigs can hang around until March.

2. Cute organizers

It’s a proven algebraic formula.

The cuter the organizer, the greater the chance you will actually organize with it.

I made these kitchen organizers out of fruit crates with stamped spoon handles.

Here’s the DIY along with some other ideas for the kitchen.

You could also make these over-sized crate organizers.

DIY found here.

Or this ribbon button basket.

DIY found here.

Numbered baskets with spray painted letters.

DIY found here.

3. Label it

This is a tip I use every single day.

Seriously.

Sometimes things laying around the house have no idea where to go.

You have to help them out.

That’s where cute tags come in.

You could make silver leaf lettered balsa wood tags.

DIY found here.

Or clip marquee letters onto baskets.

You can organize your papers from A to Z.

Literally.

You can make these cute clock organizing clip tags for your file folders.

Clip a different clock on each folder.

DIY found here.

Here’s my to-do list right now.

You might notice that it’s blank.

I haven’t filled it up yet. I’m working on it. I’m getting to it really soon right after I finish this coffee and take the sunglasses off the reindeer.

All this talking about organizing has me a little worn out.

Maybe I’ll just watch a Hallmark movie today….

….and organize tomorrow. 🙂

Want to know how to decorate your home for free?
Click here to get my FIVE BEST secrets.

Comments

  1. Image for Jody Jody

    I couldn't find the tutorial for the fruit crate organizers with the spoon handles : ( Love your blog and your home. Thanks.

  2. Image for Lisa at celebrate creativity Lisa at celebrate creativity

    Happy holidays, Karianne. I want so badly to take one of my two trees down already but my family says I'm a Grinch if I start boxing things up so soon-lol. Love all the baskets and your organizational tips. Hope you have a great week.

  3. Image for Marisa Franca @ All Our Way Marisa Franca @ All Our Way

    Great ideas! I really need to get organized. I've got dish clothes, and napkins just stuck in a cabinet. I open up the cabinet and I hold my breath hoping there won't be an avalanche of dish clothes attacking me. Now, my son and daughter-in-law gave us a nice basket full of goodies. The basket now I'm going to use for my dish clothes -- you gave me the idea :-) Have a productive day!!

  4. Image for Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces

    Lots of fun tips, KariAnne! I love to leave a lot of the winter stuff up, too...and slowly take out the obviously Christmas looking things. Usually, by New Years Day everything Christmas is put away except the tree. It always feels good to get the house in order...

  5. Image for Tammy Tammy

    Christmas is just getting started! The days prior to Christmas are Advent. Today is the First Day of the Twelve Days of Christmas! My home remains decorated through January 6th, and we still have plenty of gifts and festivities to look forward to. I like spreading it out! But it's always great to be super organized when it's finally time to put everything away, that's for sure, and I appreciate your tips. You have the cutest storage ever!

  6. Image for Michelle Michelle

    I love these ideas -- I even shared tip no. 2 with my sister! I simply cannot function if I don't feel organized (remnants of my executive secretary days, me thinks). Also, moving from a large home 10 years ago to a much smaller home forced me to re-evaluate what was staying with me and what wasn't. Sometimes it's a good idea to just let things go to a new home. Hope you had a wonderful Christmas, Karianne! I did :-)

  7. Image for Ann Weisman Ann Weisman

    I love the day after Christmas. That is when I am ready to clean and organize for the new year. My friends think I am nuts but I think it is fun! My family gets me! Have fun with your organizing too. Love your ideas. Happy New Year!????

  8. Image for Dianne Bell Dianne Bell

    I think I'll start the organizing on January 1st or 2nd 2017, after I catch my second wind. Let everything stay and be enjoyed a tiny bit longer. I'll just be hoping for a day or two of some what milder weather so I can quickly take down the outdoor decorations after January 1st. In the meantime, I'll enjoy my tree, twinkling lights, eggnog and tasty leftovers and desserts and catch some tv with my feet up. Happy New Year to everyone! May it be a healthy and peaceful one. ????????

  9. Image for Design Chic Design Chic

    I love decorating for Christmas, but there is such a sense of cleanliness and organization when it is all safely put away, Now to get those decorations down and start a little organizing,...baby steps! Wishing you all the best in the new year!

  10. Image for Leslie Leslie

    Oh, my goodness! Too many great ideas!! My Christmas decorations are confused because my kids and grands arrive today and they now have the grand performance...they may have to hang around well until January this year until family depart...until then..I will remind them they are welcome and it's winter..right!?! Hope your Christmas was amazing! Can't wait to hear all about those Texas family handmade gifts!

  11. Image for Stephanie Morris Stephanie Morris

    I am loving the entryway. Where did you get those wire mesh baskets. I want to do the exact same thing I my kitchen entry but haven't been able to describe to the husband what I want! That is the look!!!

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