Organization: Christmas Wrapping

December 30, 2013 by Tracy

In winding down 2013, our family keeps our Christmas tree up through the New Year. We enjoy sitting by the lights in the evening as our nights are later without the early morning school schedule. Though our tree is still up, most of the gifts have found a home and our Christmas wrapping organization continues.

After the unwrapping and opening of gifts, we usually have a pile of bags, boxes, and containers. In stretching our dollars, we reuse most of these items. As I check for tears and names written on the gift bags, I toss any unusable items and organize the ones I can use again.

Keeping our Christmas wrapping organized into 2 totes and 1 container, I choose to purge, sort, and take inventory before storing them away.

Purging our Christmas Wrapping

Any items that are ripped, broken, or crunched get trashed. As multiple family members add and remove items from these containers, some of the items get crammed or ripped in the process. Ridding the containers of these items leaves room for other items that will get used again.

Sorting our Christmas Wrapping

Though I keep one tote for baby, birthday, and all occasion wrapping, sometimes the Christmas wrapping gets placed in the wrong tote.

By sorting the bags and boxes, I can accurately keep all Christmas items together while separate from the birthday and baby boxes and bags.

Taking Inventory of our Christmas Wrapping

With all the items purged and sorted, I can see where I need to replenish our supply. As I am out shopping, I can snag some more gift sacks and gift tags at low prices knowing I will need a few more for next year. Knowing that I need these items removes any doubt when I see a great sale. I know that I need them, so I can pick them up to replenish our supply without wondering if I will have too many next year.

As the Christmas wrapping only comes out during the month of December, I find the best time to organize these supplies is before putting them back into storage. My time is best spent after the hustle and bustle of the gift giving, and I have gathered all the items for storage.

This organizational system holds our items for next year’s celebration. With our Christmas wrapping purged, sorted, and inventory taken, we can refill with the after-Christmas sales or wait until next season. The totes keep out bugs and water to protect our investments for years to come while keeping our Christmas wrapping organized.

Before packing all the items away to deal with next year, take a few moments to purge, sort, and take inventory. This way, you can keep an eye out for items you need and bypass items you already have organized. Happy storing!

Question: Do you organize your Christmas wrapping before, after, or not at all during the season?

2013: Merry Christmas!

December 25, 2013 by Tracy

Photograph Credit: Flickr (Ewan Traveler)

Did you hurry and scurry this week to get ready for today? I did. With help, we cleaned the house, worked on laundry, finished the shopping, looked at Christmas lights, wrapped the presents, did more laundry, baked cookies, attended Christmas events, prepared the reindeer food, and still working on laundry.

In all the bustle, I was not finding peace and joy in the sibling quarrels, the constant chatter, or the work at hand. Not because peace and joy could not be found, but because I was too busy to stop and enjoy the process. I focus too much on the task at hand when Christmas is not about the doing but rather about the giving.

Entering into this Christmas Day and reflecting on what Christ gave, I stop amazed. Giving up the glories of heaven, He was placed in a dirty manger that no mother would choose for her newborn baby. Though manger scenes display the baby all snug in the straw, the reality is that straw and hay are not comfortable – even for a baby. Yet, He allowed the barn atmosphere to be his first home with pokey straw and smelly animals.

As my children are snug in their comfortable beds in a heated home and dreaming of the gifts under the tree, I am blessed because of Christ’s gift – Himself. As Isaiah prophesied, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6 ESV).

God sent His only Son, Jesus, to a dirty stable in lowly Bethlehem. He entered this world for you and me. May you find the peace and joy of Christmas from the gift of Jesus Christ. This greatest gift is better than any possession you will find under the Christmas tree this morning. All the hustle and bustle items will fade away, but Jesus is eternal life, joy, and peace.

Wishing you a Christmas filled with peace and joy because of God’s gift to us, Jesus Christ!

Merry Christmas!

2012: Merry Christmas!

December 25, 2012 by Tracy

Photograph Credit: Microsoft Images

For to us a child is born,

to us a son is given;

and the government shall be upon his shoulder,

and his name shall be called

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6 ESV).

May you know the Christ of Christmas and find peace in Jesus, the Savior of the world.

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Savings: Make a List and Check It Twice

December 8, 2012 by Tracy

Photograph Credit: Microsoft Images

In stretching your dollars this holiday season, you may need to think outside the box.

As you make a list and check it twice, stay within your budget. If your budget cannot accommodate your giving spirit, then don’t fret.

Turn toward free or less expensive options found in Feed It Forward, giveaways and sweepstakes, and bundles to separate.

Feed It Forward

The Feed It Forward program allows you to gift friends and family a $10 e-gift certificate for free. The limit on Facebook friends is 15 per day, while the limit on e-mail addresses is 100 per day. The daily maximum is 100 gifts per day. In using time wisely, you can gift thousands of friends this December for free with a little time invested.

Giveaways and Sweepstakes

Last year, I won a giveaway package from Southern Savers. My gift included a coffee maker, blender, and automatic wine opener. All three of these gifts arrived, and I wrapped them for a friend and family members. The recipients were so grateful, and I openly shared how their gifts were chosen for them. It was a great opportunity to share how entering giveaways and sweepstakes saves our family money.

For giveaways, I like Money Saving Mom, Freebies 4 Mom, Southern Savers, Meet Penny, Becentsable, and Simple Savings for ATL Moms. Giveaways are on-going on some websites and sporadic on others. As you see a giveaway that does not interest you, consider entering. If you win, give the item or service as a gift.

For current sweepstakes, check out Heather Hernandez’ Freebies 4 Mom. On the menu bar, you can find freebies, sweeps, and giveaways. I love how Heather categorizes the sweeps by entry type: weekly, daily, or once. Heather keeps her list current.

Bundles to Separate

When you need to purchase lots of items, look for bundles to separate into separate gifts. In previous years, I have purchased 3-count candles, package of ornaments, and jewelry sets. With the less expensive cost per unit, I can open the package and gift each item separately.

If you purchase on-line, start with E-bates or Shop at Home and find a promotional code to keep your savings within your budget.

In using time wisely and stretching your dollars, make a list and check it twice. Then look to Feed It Forward, giveaways and sweepstakes, and bundles to separate options. Though definitely not all the ways one can save, these three strategies can save you money, energy, and time.

If you still cannot afford Christmas, focus on the experiences. Creating a homemade coupon book, baking cookies, or going on an outing provides a special memory for the recipient beyond a temporal token. Happy gifting!

Question: How are you stretching your dollars this Christmas season?

Christmas Party: Ornament Exchange

December 4, 2012 by Tracy

Photograph Credit: Microsoft Images

When I was a teenager, I got invited to my first Christmas ornament exchange. My Sunday School teacher was very creative and wanted a special party for our class.

All dressed up, my friend and I went together with our new ornaments purchased and wrapped. Feeling all grown up, I remember unwrapping the red and green striped paper to reveal a shiny gold sleigh ride ornament.

Though I did not have a Christmas tree in my room, we had a family tree where I proudly displayed my new ornament. Today, that ornament is no longer bright and shiny, but I still proudly hang in on my tree year after year.

My Favorite Ornament Exchange

Since my first ornament exchange, I have attended a number of parties that included an ornament exchange.

My favorite exchange occurred with my roommates in college. After purchasing and wrapping ornaments for each other, we met for the campus lighting ceremony complete with singing Christmas carols. Then we headed out to dinner and exchanged our ornaments over dessert.

We took turns giving our ornaments to each other. When we got back to our dorm room, we decorated our Christmas tree with our new ornaments. This ornament exchange holds a special place in my heart as the experience brings back fond memories with special friends.

Options for Your Ornament Exchange

As you plan your holiday festivities, an ornament exchange offers an opportunity for making special memories. You can allow one participate to gift her ornament. Then the one gifted, chooses another participant to give her wrapped gift until all have a new ornament.

Another option is to turn the ornament exchange into a game where all the ornaments are put together. Then numbers are drawn. When it is your turn, you may either choose from the group or “steal” from one that already opened an ornament you want.

In using time wisely this holiday season, an ornament exchange requires little planning with lots of fun, laughs, and memories. If you need (or want) a reason to party, consider an ornament exchange or a cookie exchange. Both include seasonal items to make the gathering fun for adults, teenagers, and children. Enjoy this Christmas season with those you love. Happy planning!

Question: What gatherings are you planning this holiday season?