If you are feeling overwhelmed by all of the tasks on your holiday list, lighten up with these tips from Kathi on NBC 7/39 News.

Consider not mailing holiday cards (saves trees) or at least doing it a bit differently this year. Professional Organizer, Kathi Burns provides tips to keep your stress levels down during this holiday season.

If you are set on wearing red and green during the holidays, try these tips to make sure you don’t get mistaken for one of Santa’s little Read the rest of this entry »

Let me know how I can help you get organized and energized as the holidays approach. Drop me a line and I will write an answer with a tip created especially for you!

Situation:

This garage was used for watching tv, working on crafts, and an extra playroom. At the same time, it had to be used to store the usual garage items including holiday décor, extra entertaining supplies, etc.

Challenge:

In the beginning there was no storage in this garage, only some assorted furniture, TV and a desk. As with many garage conversions, this space had to accommodate many different types of activities and serve as a comfortable retreat /playroom for the two boys and a space for mom and sons to create craft projects and read.

Solution:

My client had wall-to-wall cabinets installed along the longest side of the garage without windows. The cabinets made it possible to create order with the deep freeze storage items like holiday décor and also made a place for sporting equipment and extra entertaining items to live while not in use.

I shifted furniture around to create zones for each type of activity. The desk was moved to the back wall so that all craft supplies were in the same zone with small table and chairs positioned for action.

The lateral file cabinet was moved next to the door into the house as this contained the permanent family records.

The large cube shelf was moved behind the couch to create division between storage and TV zone. All extra toys were grouped together ‘like with like’ and stored in baskets behind the couch. As the boys decided to play with different activities, they brought out one basket at a time and learned to put the first one away between activities to keep chaos at bay.

Create a Holiday Organizing Binder – If you are constantly under the gun and can’t find your list or lists for gifts, party snacks, favorite recipes, travel itineraries or necessary addresses, you might want to make a simple three ring binder to keep your act together.

Holiday card list with addresses

Gift tracking lists

Favorite holiday recipes with ingredients lists

Travel Itineraries