The Gift of Order

During the holiday season, attention often turns to giving gifts to our friends and loved ones. But this fun task can turn into anything but if your wrapping supplies aren't well organized. Such was the case with this gift wrapping closet. It had turned into a big mess which made even the thought of wrapping presents in colorful papers and ribbons an absolute nightmare. In just a couple of hours, this seemingly unwieldy pile of all things paper became a manageable wrapping station. See below for the 3 simple steps to create this transformation!

Wrapping closet - BEFORE

1.) SORT - The first step in conquering the chaos was to remove everything from the closet and sort it into like piles. Ribbons and embellishments were grouped together as were other items such as tissue paper, gift bags, packing material, gift boxes and wrapping paper. This really helped in getting a sense of just how much stuff there was and then led to the next step of deciding what to keep and what to get rid of. The bonus was that we discovered many cute bags and papers that had long been hidden from view!

2.)  EDIT - The next step was to pare down the collection of wrapping supplies to only what was in good condition and may actually be needed for future use. In this case, there was an overabundance of boxes that were just taking up space and cluttering the closet. We really had to be very honest about actually how many boxes one needs at any given time. (Hint: Not as many as you think! Keep just one box in 3-5 different sizes. That's plenty!) The rest went straight to the recycle bin. 

3.) CONTAIN - After paring down the collection to a reasonable number and variety of gift boxes, we used the bigger boxes as containers to hold the ones we wanted to keep. We did the same with the gift bags. Due to limited space in the closet, the remaining shipping boxes were condensed into larger boxes and moved to storage in the basement since they are not used as often.

Tissue paper was folded neatly and corralled by the use of large binder clips.

Ribbons were sorted and then held together by paperclips. We repurposed a gift bag to hold them all in one place.

The end result is a gift wrapping closet that is not only much prettier to look at but also much more functional.    Rather than digging through an avalanche of bags and bows, we can immediately locate a suitable gift bag or box, tissue paper and tie it up with a bow which saves time and stress. How's that for a present this holiday season?!

Wrapping closet - AFTER

***This project was completed entirely with existing supplies. Keep an eye out for my next blog though where I will profile some great products that can create wonderful wrapping stations in any corner of your house!

Feeling Overwhelmed? Create Order

I recently came across a passage from a book called Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy by Sarah Ban Breathnach that really resonated with me. Here is an excerpt:

"Whenever I am feeling overwhelmed by outside circumstances - worries about money, concern over a sick family member, or anxiety over prolonged business negotiations - instinctively I turn to homegrown rituals to restore my equilibrium. There is an immediate emotional and psychological payoff to getting our houses in order. We might not be able to control what's happening externally in our lives but we can learn to look for our own inner resources for a sense of comfort that nurtures and sustains...If you feel constantly adrift but don't know why, be willing to explore the role that order - of the lack of it - plays in your life. No woman can think clearly when constantly surrounded by clutter, chaos, and confusion, no matter who is responsible for it."

Just as Ms. Breathnach writes of, I notice a shift in my mood when my surroundings are chaotic. The good news is that working my way out of a funk can be as easy as picking up just one room in my house. If you ever find yourself feeling this way, know that relief can be found pretty quickly. Start small and in the place that provides the most sanctuary for you, be it your bedroom, bathroom or living room. (You know you've picked the right place if this is the place that you want to retreat to whenever you are feeling stressed.) Simply by putting a few things away (start with just one small corner), you can regain a sense of order and control. When your personal space feels more in order, so does your mind and soul. Then it's time to sit back, kick your feet up and enjoy a little well-deserved "you" time! The rest of the world can wait...