Holiday Decorating

Well, it’s holiday time. Where are the Christmas decorations?
Are some in the attic, under the stairs (my favorite), in the garage, the back bedroom? Putting up the decorations is hard but finding them is harder. When you put them away for next year, remember the first rule of organizing-LIKE THINGS TOGETHER! It may take a little clearing out but if you put all the decorations together AND label them, you will save some time next year. Try putting the tree skirt with the tree if you use an artificial tree. Store all ribbons, paper, and tags together;
I have my decorations separated into:
Must have:  These are the things that I treasure the most and evoke the dearest memories.  If there is too much going on (when isn’t there) or if I’m just not in the mood to drag everything out, I have my few containers of Favorites.  These are the ones that get used every year
Then: All others are containerized by theme, all snowmen together, all Santa’s, snow globes etcetera together. 
Now think about this: Most people have more holiday decorations than they need for any one year. You DO NOT need to put out every decoration you own each and every year. When you get everything out this year, think about the things that you must put out because they mean Christmas to you.
I recently read a suggestion that by labeling with even and odd years, you keep your decorations “fresh”.  Snowmen and related items in even years and Santa’s and reindeer in odd years.
When you are taking down the tree, you have an excellent opportunity to put like things together and get rid of some of the decorations you have not used in years or the broken ones that you will never mend.
How about putting the new cards you bought with the Holiday music and videos and DVDS in the box it all with the decorations you take out first.  Aha!  Start the music and put up the tree!

Do you do a lot of outdoor decoration?  The same rules apply.  Keep it all together and sorted by category.  Put all the timers and extensions cords and remote control things in a plastic see through container and place them with the lights.  All together!!! What a concept!