Less Mess, More Yes

Christmas Clean-Up

This week's post is written by Professional Organizer Monica Friel, president of Chaos to Order based in Chicago and Atlanta. They have been featured on The Oprah Winfrey Show and Hoarding: Buried Alive, as well as in Better Homes and Gardens, just to name a few. You can find them on the web at www.chaostoorder.com.

The holidays are officially over and it's time to pack up all of the holiday décor. Here are some steps to take to make sure your holiday decorations are properly put away:

1. Before you start taking things down, take photos of the room you've decorated. Print and place a photo right inside the box, or on the outside so you can quickly see the contents.
2. Take a look at the spaces in which you store your decorations. Are they all in one convenient place or are they scattered around the house? If possible, store all your holiday items together.
3. Choose good containers. These Christmas-colored storage boxes are stackable, durable and water resistant. It's also nice and obvious what holiday the boxes are for. They come in three different sizes and are good to contain everything from the ornaments to the tree!

Protecting Your Holiday Treasures

by Jen Montbleau of Sterilite Corporation

The holidays are wrapping up and it's time to take down and store your winter wonderland. Now is the perfect time to get organized and de-clutter as you pack away your home's festive trimmings.

As the glittering holiday centerpiece in many homes, today's Christmas trees proudly wear dancing lights, musical ornaments and glimmering garland. Each tree is as unique as the family that decorates it, but no matter the differences, we all want to keep our ornaments in good condition for the next holiday season. Using a solid plastic container is very important when packing away your precious ornaments. The compartments in the Ornament Case cradle larger ornaments, preventing them from emerging with scratches or chips.

Tip: Do you have smaller ornaments that you like to hang on your tree? If you don't have proper storage boxes for them, consider keeping them safe by storing them in an egg carton. Use a rubber band to secure the carton shut and stack them into a plastic storage tote to keep them safe.  Also, if you decorate your tree with ribbon, try wrapping your ribbon around an empty paper towel roll and securing it with a pin to save it for next year.


The most important thing about storing lights and garland is making sure you keep them from getting tangled thereby preventing a hassle next Christmas. A clever way to store lights and garland is to wind them around a sturdy sheet of cardboard. Try using some of the shipping boxes from all your on-line gift purchases. Wrap a single strand of lights around a sheet of cardboard, cutting slits to secure both ends. Then stack them neatly in your Christmas-colored tote for next year.

Tip: When decorating next season, try unwrapping them from the cardboard as you walk around the tree.


Artificial Christmas trees are durable by design, though that doesn't mean that they don't require a little care. Most come with instructions on the correct way to set them up for the holidays, but there are usually no directions for proper storage.

After you have removed all of your decorations, here are a few simple things you should do if you have a pre-lit artificial tree:

1. Locate and replace broken or burned-out lights. The more lights that are not working on a light string, the more electricity the working lights have to consume. This will permanently damage the working lights and give them a brown tint.
2. Try to compress the branches of the tree so you don't damage them when you place the tree into a smaller space for storage.
3. Fold in your branches toward the center pole and wrap the bottom and middle sections with twine or a cloth covered bungee cord to further compress the tree. You do not want to make it too tight but just a little compression makes storage easier.

Stored in a sturdy tote, your artificial Christmas tree will be safe for the rest of the year and good as new when the holidays come around.


As you work, evaluate all of your holiday decorations. Consider donating anything you didn't use this year and throw away anything that is damaged. Most people have limited floor space so whether in an attic, garage, closet, or under the stairs, take advantage of the vertical space by stacking several totes on top of each other.

By storing your holiday treasures in an organized manner, decorating next year will be a snap!

Do you have any Holiday storage tips? We'd love to hear your ideas!

Gift Wrap ... Contained

This week's post is written by Professional Organizer Monica Friel, president of Chaos to Order based in Chicago and Atlanta. They have been featured on The Oprah Winfrey Show and Hoarding: Buried Alive, as well as in Better Homes and Gardens, just to name a few. You can find them on the web at www.chaostoorder.com

It's no wonder people are stressed out around the holidays, there are so many more things to think about, to do and to organize during the month of December. Gift wrapping is one of many tasks: you need to purchase gift wrap, store it and have it accessible for wrapping gifts quickly. Some people wrap gifts as they bring them in, others store them all up and have one big wrapping session once all the gifts are purchased.

However you prefer to do the wrapping, having a good place to store the tubes of holiday paper is a must. Storing tubes upright is especially nice if you do a lot of wrapping because you can easily access what you need. This vertical wrap box from Sterilite is sturdy and durable. If you want to tuck the gift wrap out of the way and under a bed, try the 41 quart underbed box. If you don't keep too many rolls, you can also make room in the box for bows, gift bags, tags, tape etc. To keep paper from unraveling or tearing, wrap a rubber band around the roll.

However you choose to store your wrapping paper, having an organized place to contain it will help make the time you spend gift wrapping a bit more peaceful.


 

The Christmas Spirit!

By Heather Kilduff of Sterilite Corporation

Among the hustle and bustle, it’s important not to lose sight of the spirit of the holiday season. It’s a time to celebrate with friends and family, a time to appreciate what you have and to provide to those who have little. Feeding the hungry, providing clothes and warm blankets to the poor and giving special but simple gifts is a long-standing Christmas tradition.

In an effort to keep this tradition at the forefront of our holiday celebrations, a group of colleagues and I chose to provide for the needs of others – in this case, boys and girls ranging from age 6 – 10. Each of us filled Sterilite shoeboxes with small toys, hygiene items and school supplies as a means of reaching out to underprivileged children this holiday season. Our donations went to a local charity that provides year-round assistance to families in need.

So as you make your holiday plans, consider keeping others in mind by donating to one of the many charities that provide for the needy this time of year. Go ahead – give it a try and discover the true meaning of Christmas spirit!
 

 

Make Your Season Bright with the Perfect Make-Ahead Treat

By Cheryl Mailloux of Sterilite Corporation

Growing up, I remember our house being filled with the aroma of baked goods, especially when holidays were near. My mother never wanted to be without a gift when unexpected company arrived or when invites to parties came in. To ease some of the stress, she would start in early December actively making baked goods and candies and storing them in airtight containers in a cool place within our home. This allowed her the ability to make others’ holiday seasons bright without spending a lot, and to feel confident that the gifts would always be enjoyed!

Here is a traditional holiday treat that I love to make ahead of time with my kids and pass out to friends and neighbors during the holiday season. The sweet and salty combination makes it a hit with everyone. The best part of this recipe is that you can add or subtract ingredients to suit your personal preferences. It’s also fun to change the ingredients based on party themes or seasonal events. This recipe makes a large batch, but is such a hit that it is one of the first to disappear!

White Chocolate Popcorn
16 cups of popped popcorn
1 1/2 cup of Cheerios®
1 1/2 cup of Craisins®
1 bag of M&M’s ®
2 cups of pretzels, lightly broken
1 cup of nuts (almonds or cashews, optional)
2 - 12oz bags of white chocolate chips
1 – 2 tablespoons vegetable shortening


Step 1:
Select your favorite brand of plain popcorn and follow the package instructions to pop. I like to make mine on the stovetop as the kids always enjoy watching the kernels pop.


Step 2:
In an extra large bowl, combine popcorn, Cheerios®, Cranrasins®, M&M’s®, pretzels, nuts if you choose to use them. If needed, split ingredients between two large bowls to allow items to be thoroughly mixed in the steps below.


Step 3:
In a double boiler, combine the white chocolate chips and the vegetable oil and melt on medium-low heat. Stir until smooth then remove from the heat.


Helpful Hint: I like to purchase my white chocolate chips in early November as they typically become harder to find once December rolls around. The Ultra+Latch 12.6 Cup Square containers are perfect for storing all of my baking ingredients, and will hold several bags of chocolate chips keeping them fresh and easily accessible when baking.


Step 4:
Pour the white chocolate mixture over the popcorn mixture and gently toss to coat. Then spread the mixture out on two large baking sheets and allow to sit for two hours so the chocolate can set.


Step 5:
Serve in small snack bowls or place mixture in an airtight container to have on hand for future use. I like to make several batches of this during the holidays, and store in an airtight container ahead of time. I then purchase small themed containers to fill and hand out to neighbors and friends. When stored properly in a cool, dry place, this recipe can last two to three weeks … or until my kids and husband find it.

Here is hoping that your season is bright and your treats are a delight!

Ohhh …The Ho Ho Ho Holidays Are Here!

Michelle Wood of Sterilite Corporation

Yes, it’s the last day of November. You know what that means – the holidays are HERE! You may be thinking December brings stress and mayhem, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Staying organized this season will make you, Santa’s helper, have a holiday full of cheer!

One great organizing tip is to get yourself a file box. Surprisingly, there are quite a few things that would benefit from an organized folder. The Sterilite Large Nesting ShowOffs™ are the perfect size for keeping this season organized. I use one from year to year, but keep mine especially handy as the festivities draw near. I have five main folders:
Gift Receipts
It’s important to hold on to receipts for so many reasons. Whether you decided you made a hasty purchase, found a better deal or are budget conscious, it’s important to keep your sales slips until the new year. You might even keep them until the next December so you can easily remember your past gift giving habits and to build a new budget upon.

Coupons and Flyers
There are so many great deals available around this time of year, so keep them handy and cut those coupons. Santa loves a saver!
Christmas Cards
I keep my Christmas and other holiday cards from year to year. I use last year’s cards to keep track of how many cards I need this year and to whom I need to send them too. When I’m done writing my own cards, I cut up and use sections of the old cards to make fun and creative gift tags. The only ones I don’t repurpose are the family photo cards which I enjoy looking through every time I open my ShowOffs™ at the being of the season. At the end of the holidays when the sales are the best, I buy all my cards for next year and store them safely so I am ready to roll come next December.

Keepsakes
The holidays bring many sentimental moments and keepsakes. A file box is a compact and safe way to save all those homemade paper ornaments, letters to Santa, coloring book pages, and special thank you notes that your family makes. The ShowOffs™ also conveniently fit a Small Clip Box which I use to store those more delicate (and often handmade) ornaments. Trust me – you and your children will cherish and laugh at these memories in the years to come.
Wish lists
The kids will have no problem telling you what they want, but having them write it down saves you brain capacity for something else this season. I also use this space to write my own wish lists as well as to store clever gift giving ideas that I see in magazines or online. You will be thankful for your forward thinking as December quickly comes to a close.

If these five folders don’t curb your holiday stress, add in a few more! Some other folder ideas may include:
Holiday recipes
Holiday party invitations and events
Travel plans
School schedules
Snowy day activities

Keep you and your family organized and you are guaranteed a holiday that is joyous. Look towards December with excitement and cheer and end the year with organizational success!

Sweet Treat

By Michelle Brooks of Sterilite Corporation

The holidays are upon us – my absolute favorite time of the year! The beautiful colors of fall have been replaced by twinkling lights and garland instantly putting me in a festive mood. Yes, it can be hectic, crazy and stressful but I try hard to keep a smile on my face and enjoy the season.

My ideal way to escape the chaos is to play Christmas carols, pour myself some eggnog and bake. I enjoy baking for family and friends, and since there never seems to be enough time, I love recipes that are quick and easy.

Here is one of my favorites – the Pumpkin Trifle. It blends pumpkin and gingerbread, two of the yummy flavors of the season. And to make this even easier, you can create it right in a Sterilite Ultra•Seal™ bowl and then carry it safely to the party.

I used the Ultra•Seal™ 4.7 Quart Bowl – if your bowl is smaller or larger, you can adjust the ingredients.

Pumpkin Trifle
2 boxes of Pumpkin Spice pudding (this can be hard to find so I made my own using French vanilla pudding, adding some pumpkin pie filling to taste and a sprinkle or two of cinnamon)
1 box gingerbread cake mix
1 package of Pecan Sandies, crushed
2 cups of pecans, crushed
Large size Cool Whip (use regular, not fat free)
Optional: use a can of whipped cream instead for a fun top layer
Vanilla wafers or gingerbread cookies for decoration

Bake the cake and let cool. I sometimes bake this the night before so it has plenty of time to cool – put it in a storage container to keep it fresh.

Mix pudding according to package directions. You can also make this ahead of time.

Break the cake into crumbles and line the bottom of the bowl with half of the cake.

Layer half of the pudding on top of the cake.

Next, make a layer of the crushed Pecan Sandies cookies.

Cover with a layer of Cool Whip.

Now, repeat to make another layer of cake, pudding and cookies.

Top your dessert with the last layer of Cool Whip. (I like to use a can of whipped cream for this step.)

Sprinkle the top with the pecans and line the outside with the vanilla wafers or gingerbread cookies.

Looks yummy! You are done, so latch on the airtight/leak proof lid and you can travel safely and neatly to your destination!

Pop off the top and you are ready to serve!

Enjoy…and Happy Holidays to you!

The Meaning of Thanksgiving

By Michelle Brooks of Sterilite Corporation

Thanksgiving may mean something different to each of us – but at the heart of the holiday is a reminder to take a moment and be thankful for all we have in our lives.
By “giving thanks” we choose to extend ourselves and give to others less fortunate. Whether it be donating clothes, participating in a food drive, or helping to serve a hot meal, here’s your chance to pay it forward and make someone else’s life a little better.  If you can, this  year is a great year to start!

Efficient Laundry Tips

This week's post is written by Professional Organizer Monica Friel, president of Chaos to Order based in Chicago and Atlanta. They have been featured on The Oprah Winfrey Show and Hoarding: Buried Alive, as well as in Better Homes and Gardens, just to name a few. You can find them on the web at www.chaostoorder.com

Laundry is an unavoidable drudgery, so getting it done quickly and efficiently is a must. Here are some tips to process laundry promptly.


Sort it out.
Rather than putting all of the laundry into one hamper, sort it as you go with these terrific laundry sorters from Sterilite. They’re a great time saver – when one fills up, you can throw a load in right away. Eliminate the hassle of sorting like colors into piles on the floor (which sometime stay there longer than they should). Sort and wash as you go.

Do it often.
Laundry may be your least favorite task, but the more often you do it, the easier it gets. Make it a small part of your daily routine rather than that monkey-on-your-back that will eventually consume a full day.

Connect the socks.
Sorting socks can be a big time zapper. Ask family members to tie socks together or put them in a mesh hosiery wash bag so they stay together. Toss any loose socks into a container and have each person reclaim their own. If they don’t like doing it this way, maybe they’ll choose to start using a wash bag or putting them into the laundry connected.

Make the best of the space you’re in.
If possible, add shelving, counters, cabinets, and bright lighting in your laundry area. If doing laundry means going into a dark dungeon, you are going to put it off. Consider moving the machines upstairs or even into a walk-in closet.

Hang it up.
Putting clothes back onto hangers is time consuming. Save time by waiting to hang up clothes until you’re in the closet. Just fold them over the side of the laundry basket and do the hanging up when you’re in the closet.

Organize your closet.
It’s hard to put laundry away into an overly stuffed closet. Go through every item of clothing (good to do at least twice per year) and determine what can be eliminated. The more room you have to put things back, the easier it will be to get the laundry done.

Hand it off.
Enlist the whole family when it comes to laundry. If kids are not of the age to do their own, they may be able to at least put it away. Sort each persons laundry into baskets and hand them off. The more you can delegate, the less you’ll have on your own plate!

The Art and Science of Trick-or-Treating

By Jesse Welch of Sterilite Corporation

Wednesday night was the night my town had trick-or-treating. When I first moved into my house, I had a little experience handing out candy on Halloween, but nothing prepared me for the onslaught of children that would arrive at my door. A bag of candy can be many different sizes, but for our purposes, just picture them as small, medium and large. I had eight large bags of candy that year and managed to run out just past the half-way mark of trick-or-treating. It's a sad thing to have to turn the lights off and close up shop early.

I vowed that the next year, I wouldn't be caught unaware of what was coming. So, I bought 12 large bags of candy. This was a serious pile of sweets. However, the winds of fate changed that year and turnout was severely depressed, leaving me holding the bag(s of candy). I know what you're thinking, what a problem to have, too much candy. But considering I can't help but enjoy a piece or ten while the actual trick-or-treating is going on, I really didn't need all that extra candy hanging around the house.

I've done better more recently. Incorporating the forecast for the day of, some simple demographic data obtained from the town about the age of residents, and an algorithm I bought in an alley downtown, I deduce the proper number of bags to purchase within a margin of error of +/-1.7 bags. Okay, I don't really do any of that. I just kind of went somewhere in the middle – eight bags seems to do it.

Last year, I used my homemade Halloween costume to amuse the kids. I was a three-faced robot. Here, you can see that I have an upset stomach from all the snacking throughout the evening.

Every year, there are some constants. For instance, I use the same bowl to hold the candy as children approach the door and propose their "trick or treat" bargain. I tend to choose treat – seems the safer route. It's a large bowl and allows for all sorts of different kinds of candy to mix around in there. Even better, if there's some left, I just pop on the lid and save it for later. That way it's not nearly as big of a deal if we don't get many trick-or-treaters on a given year.


Another constant in this yearly ritual is the wrappers left from all the candy I've eaten throughout the night. It's a good idea to have something like this small wastebasket on hand to receive all that trash.


In my experience, Halloween can throw you a curveball or two. I use some Sterilite products to help mitigate the potential pitfalls associated with it. Next year, maybe I'll do a haunted house!