As I settled back into my routines this week, I had a fleeting thought: did the holidays even happen this year?

One glance at the playroom confirms it most certainly did. And good GAWD, this momma needs to learn restraint! The onslaught of toys has completely overwhelmed our rather simple organization system consisting of two bins. Time to upgrade.

I went looking and found 15 organizational tools and hacks that would help any overwhelmed parent deal with their toy tsunami & thought I’d share.

What about you, Did you go a little overboard on the Holiday gifts without having done a little toy purging in advance? What’s your favorite trick for corralling the toys?

{Feature Photo Credit}

I am always surprised when we hear grown people shrug off thank you notes. No, it doesn’t matter if grandma was sitting with you as you opened the gift from her; you still owe her a formal thank you note. An email won’t do either. And yes, even if you have horrible handwriting, you must still sit down and hand-write a card to each person who was kind enough to give you a gift this season.

With all of that said, I do understand that the thought of writing thank you cards can be daunting, especially if received a lot of gifts. But there’s really no reason to become paralyzed. Here are four simple tips that will help you organize yourself so that you get yours done before the week is out, and without breaking a sweat.

1. Keep a List.

It sounds simple, but it’s amazing how often this little thing is overlooked. Keep a pad and pencil handy as you and your family open gifts. Document who got what from whom and then when it comes time to write your thank you notes, there won’t be any confusion about who gave what to whom.

2. Set Up a Stationery Stash.

You must have a stash of thank you stationery and some stamps on hand before you can get to writing. Shopping for stationery is the fun part. We recommend going with a classic design you like rather than something funky because the funky option might not be appropriate for everyone, and you don’t want to have to buy multiple sets. Stay away from full sheets of paper, as you don’t want your thoughtful note overshadowed by lots of blank space. Note cards are ideal, and if you prefer postcards, there is nothing wrong with using them either.

3. Use the rule of 3.

There are generally three components to a well-written thank you note. The first is a simple statement of thanks, such as “Thank you for the lovely flowers.” Don’t worry if it sounds too simple, that’s the point of a note like this – it’s supposed to be a simple expression of your gratitude. Second, note how you have used or will use the gift. Again, keep this statement brief; it’s nice for the giver to know how you intent to use their gift, but they don’t need a whole paragraph about it. In addition, avoid the temptation to lie here. Even if you received a gift you truly dislike, like a pair of wool socks, there is always something to appreciate, like the color or the fact that the wool keeps cold toes warm. Finally, wrap up the note with a final statement of thanks, and if appropriate, a nod to when you will see them again. For example, “Thanks again for such a thoughtful gift – I can’t wait to see you at Johnny’s graduation.”

4. Write three notes a day.

While sitting down to write twenty notes may seem overwhelming, if you set aside twenty minutes every evening for the next week, and dash off three notes in each sitting – you’ll have crossed this to-do off of your list in good time and without suffering. Don’t turn on the TV or go to bed without having at least written three notes a day until you are done.

{feature photo credit: Paper Source}

Do you believe in thank you notes like we do? How do you organize yourself to get them done in a timely fashion?

The Holidays are full of fire hazards. It’s important to be aware of what they are and organize yourself in a way that minimizes your risk. That’s why we were thrilled when the folks at Liberty Mutual enabled us to pose a few questions for fire safety expert and volunteer firefighter Tom Harned. He kindly responded to our questions in video format. Have a watch.

Question 1: Safety Rules for Christmas Trees Near the Fireplace

Question 2: Safety Rules for Extension Cords

There’s nothing quite like sitting down to a big celebratory dinner with family and good friends during the Christmas Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa seasons. But all too often the chef ends up slaving in the kitchen and missing out on quality time with everyone else. The key to avoiding this fate is a little bit of organization. We’ve put together some simple shortcuts that will minimize your time in the kitchen on the big day so you spend more time with your guests.

1. Serve cold appetizers.

There is no need to add to the cook’s already heightened stress levels by having a hot appetizer on the menu. Instead, choose items that can be served “cold,” like a shrimp cocktail, deviled eggs, cheese plates, and vegetable dips. Not only will this keep the ovens and stovetop free for what’s really important but you can prepare these kinds of dishes well ahead of time too.
[image via: mel’s kitchen cafe}

2. Get the potatoes right.

There’s always one dish that, if you get it right, will make your guests forget any other shortcomings. For Sarah, that’s the roast potatoes. For Alicia, it’s the latkes. So we both put lots of attention on getting those potato dishes done beautifully – and at just the right moment. Everything else we do our best, but don’t waste a moment’s energy worrying about getting “perfect.” {image via: “Point-less” Meals Blogspot}

3. Prep veggies the night before.

There is quite a bit of prep work that you can do the night before so that all your vegetables are ready to be cooked on the big day. We recommend cutting up your vegetables the day before and storing them in Ziploc bags or in sealed glass containers so that they stay fresh. This is the one task that takes the most amount of time, so the more you do the day before, the more time you actually have to spend with your gests rather than slaving in the kitchen.

4. Put dirty plates and pans outside until you can deal with them.

When you’re whipping up a large dinner with many side dishes, the pots and pans can quickly accumulate. Rather than stopping what you’re doing to get the mess under control (and get your counter space back), consider putting the trays, pots and pans, and any other baking dishes you’re done with out in the back yard, or on a porch, until you have the time to deal with them.

5. Cook your turkey so it is done 1 hour before dinner.

Organize your time so that the turkey is finished cooking one hour before you serve dinner. When it’s done, cover it in tin foil and let it rest. Not only will it be juicier, but it will also free up precious oven space right when you need it most.

6. Measure ingredients ahead of time.

You might be shocked to see how much time you save by measuring out all the ingredients you’ll need ahead of time. So, rather than measuring out the dry ingredients you need for that zucchini bread on the big day, do it the day before. Sift them if the recipe calls for it. Then store it in a Ziploc bag so that all you have to do on the big day is dump it in the mixer with the wet ingredients. This trick works for everything from the milk and cheese for your mac & cheese dish to baked goods and eggnog. {Fish measuring spoons by Anthropologie}

How about you? What are your best shortcuts for preparing your holiday meals, whether it’s a Christmas dinner or Hanukkah celebration?

The holidays bring about their own set of challenges when it comes to gift-giving etiquette. There are many things to consider when getting or giving gifts. While the overall sentiment of thoughtfulness is a wonderful guide, it might be a little too vague to be truly useful. To help you organize your gift giving efforts this year, we’ve put together five tips to help you navigate it without stepping on any toes.

1. Just say thank you.

Have you ever received a gift from someone that you did not buy a gift for? Avoid the urge to fall all over yourself apologizing for the fact that you don’t have anything for them and simply say a heartfelt, “thank you.” There is no rule that you have to buy a gift for everyone. Another way to avoid the guilt: make a few batches of cookies and put them in small decorative tins that you can give as impromptu gifts. {image via: Sunset}

2. Wrap well.

Wrapping a gift well doesn’t take any longer than wrapping one sloppily. And a well-wrapped gift sends the message that you put thought and effort into picking out something special just for them. If you’re challenged in this department, get a few boxes made out of recycled paper, like these from the Container Store, and invest in some brightly colored ribbon. “Wrap” the gift by tying the ribbon only. If you have kids (and therefore the ten tons of artwork that come home with them), use their canvases to wrap gifts for family members.{image via: vtwonen}

3. Only re-gift if you can do it with meaning.

We all have one or two items cluttering up our spaces that would be perfect…for someone else. Re-gifting is a wonderful way to finally put that gift in the right hands. But tread carefully. The last thing you want to do is make the gift someone else’s clutter problem. Be clear that the person on the receiving end would actually use it. And of course, you need to be sure you’re not re-gifting an item back to the person who originally gave it to you. If you can’t remember who gave you an item, it’s better to bring to Goodwill than to risk giving it back to the giver.

4. Avoid gag gifts.

Period. This rule especially holds true at work. The danger lies in the fact that the joke may be missed, or worse misinterpreted. Instead, go with gifts that are personalized in a positive way. Worry less about finding the “perfect” gift, if you think they will like it, chances are they will.

5. If you’re stumped, ask for a hint.

If you have absolutely no idea what to give someone, rather than giving a generic gift card or gift, ask them what’s on their wish list this year. If everything on their list is over your price limit, you can always get them a gift card to the store where they can get it for a dollar amount that is within your range.

Here are three quick tips to help you get all your wrapping done quickly and cheaply.

Organize Your Supplies

There’s nothing worse than realizing at 11:36pm on Christmas Eve that you don’t have enough tape or wrapping paper. Take a few moments this coming weekend to organize what you do have and make a list of any supplies you need to stock up on before the last minute. I particularly love how Brooklyn Limestone took some very inexpensive Ikea kitchen accessories and fashioned a highly organized wrapping closet. She gives a comprehensive how-to on the blog.

Using Kids Artwork as Wrapping Paper

Always a hit with the grandparents, kids artwork can actually make stunning wrapping paper. Last year, I saved up the 5,637 paintings that Will brought home from preschool between September and December and used them to wrap gifts. Not only did they look great, but Will felt very proud, and I made a dent in the art paper pile.

Gift Tag Printables

If you’re looking for free and easy ways to dress up a gift, check out my post for BabyCenter today. In it she features ten different gift tags designed by talented bloggers and available as free downloads.

{feature photo: free gift tag printable courtesy of The Handmade Home}

Deep breath. It’s December. You know what that means: stress city. Unless of course you follow these twelve steps. Do that, and you’ll get to the end of the month without sprouting any new grey hairs – and even better relishing the fact that you actually enjoyed yourself this Holiday season!

1. Use free printable worksheets to organize your holiday gift buying.

Print out these three free downloadable forms from GetButtonedUp.com and get your gift list organized. When you use your list you’ll run around less and save money. What’s not to love about that?

2. Print out gift tags from your own computer.

We love the idea of printing adorable gift tags straight from your computer, which is why we designed two sets of gift tags for our readers. If those aren’t for you, head online to a site like Pinterest and type in the words “free printable gift tags” and you’ll be rewarded with hundreds of adorably designed tags you can print right from your computer. If you’re not yet a member of Pinterest and need an invite, send an email to: sarah at get buttoned up dot com and she’ll get you squared away.

3. Set up a wrapping station.

You don’t need a craft room in order to take an organized approach to wrapping gifts. Get an over the door organizer with baskets and use it to store all of your wrapping gear in one place. Now you won’t waste time searching for the tools you need – or money buying things you don’t. {image via: Babble.com}

4. Plan your meals each week.

If you don’t already do this on a weekly basis, now is the time to start. Why start now? Because the amount of time and money it will save you will pay huge dividends this time of year. In addition, it will keep your waistline in check. If you need some good ideas, there are lots of menu ideas on KevinandAmanda.com and 5DollarDinners.com.

5. Make a minute-by-minute plan for the big day if you’re cooking.

While things are calm and you have more than two seconds to string together in the evening, take the time to organize your Holiday menu and prep plan. Work backwards from the time you expect to serve dinner and plan out what needs to be made when. You will thank yourself on the big day when you can simply put your brain on autopilot and follow your plan. If you need an example, look at this plan I put together for Easter. {image via: Montana-photographer}

6. Bake some gifts to have on hand.

After dinner one night this week make some simple sugar cookies and add a little dazzle in the form of colored sprinkles. Then arrange sets in a small mason jars. Adorn the mason jar with a little ribbon and a bank gift tag and put them in a holiday gift closet. Voila, you now have thoughtful hostess gifts and oops-I-forgot-to-get-you-something gifts at the ready. {image & recipe via one of my all time favorite sites in the entire universe: Baked Brie}

7. Start a packing list.

Going somewhere? Pack like the pros do and use a list. Packing lists, like this Travel Prep pad from Buttoned Up, are also a great way to delegate the packing without sacrificing order.

8. Get guest quarters ready.

Quickly make guest beds with clean sheets and set aside towels as well. Take five minutes today to add one flourish to the room that will make your guests feel extra welcome, like an elegant hand soap or small, elegant shampoo. {image via: Elements of Style}

9. Get ahead of ornament chaos.

If you don’t already have one, consider making an investment in a quality ornament box, like the one above from The Container Store. They are a lifesaver when it comes to quickly and sanely putting up and taking down Christmas tree ornaments and other seasonal decorations.

10. Get online & buy gifts before December 15th.

Skip the crowded shops and parking lots. Armed with your gift list (see Step #1 above), head online to do your gift shopping when it is convenient for you – but well before the last minute. You don’t want to pay extra for rush shipping.

11. Declutter before Santa arrives.

Go through your closet and donate items you haven’t worn in more than a year. If you have children, go through their current toys and set aside current favorites that are likely to get lost in the “new toy shuffle.” Put them in a large Ziploc bag and store in an attic or hidden closet. Once Santa’s new toys have been in rotation for a bit, you can swap those old favorites in and it will be like Christmas all over again.

12. Get family members on board with Secret Santa.

There is no reason adults should feel compelled to buy every, single person a gift. No matter your family size, organize a gift exchange that enables each person to give and receive one nice gift rather than a bunch of less interesting ones.

What about you? What kinds of things do you do to streamline your life during the busy Holiday season?

As you know already, we are HUGE fans of anything that makes this hectic Holiday Season simpler and easier.

That’s why we’ve designed some special Holiday gift printables just for you, dear readers. Eighteen as a matter of fact. They not only add just the right amount of flourish to any gift (for free!) – but they also make life so much easier – no racing to the store to buy cards. All you have to do is download, print, and attach to your gifts with a bit of ribbon or string and voila – instant transformation!

So whether you’re wrapping up some baked goodies for a favorite teacher or something big for someone you love, use one of these eighteen sweet & simple printables to get the job done.

Click here to download set 1

Click here to download set 2

Open your mailbox any day this month and its sure to contain at least a few glossy catalogs or magazines, the pages of which are filled to bursting with gorgeously decorated living rooms, artfully set tables, and gifts wrapped with a flourish. Log on to the Internet and the visual feast continues.

Big sites and small blogs alike feature a smorgasbord of artfully photographed, thoughtful Holiday crafts you too should try this time of year. If you turn on the TV, you’ll find more of the same – plus experts of all stripes showing you how to find the “perfect” gift for everyone on your list.Collectively the images are lovely to look at and potentially inspiring. I’m certainly always on the lookout for good ideas I can use to spruce up my own home for the Holidays.

The dark side of Org Porn

But they also have a dark side. Cumulatively they send the message that there is such a thing as “perfect” when it comes to decorating and gift giving, and that we somehow owe it to our loved ones to strive to achieve it.

That’s why at Buttoned Up we put out an “org porn” alert for this time of year. Most of what you are seeing is pure airbrushed fantasy – images that have been carefully art directed, airbrushed, and retouched to create maximum desire. In a nutshell, they bear little resemblance to real life.

Why should you care about that? Well, on a very real level org porn ratchets up the pressure on most of us to do more, buy more, be more perfect hosts when we are already pretty, darn overloaded and financially strapped. The key to avoiding the trap is mercifully very easy: awareness. Once you are aware of what you are looking at (org porn, not reality), you then are free to choose how much or how little you want to buy into a particular image, idea, or product promise.

Here are three techniques for combating the pressure to be perfect – in your décor, in your gift-giving, or in any other area – in the coming month.

1. Focus on one, small idea you can take away and implement without spending a dime.

As I mentioned earlier, org porn images are often wonderful springboards for decorating ideas. To keep from becoming overwhelmed though, look for ways to “right size” them for your life. For example, a cue I’ve borrowed from Pottery Barn catalogs: if you put a bunch of leaves of any kind around your turkey and it will instantly look better – no matter what platter you serve it on. To serve the Turkey last year I used an old, beat up tray I got at Target for $12 in 1993. But nobody could see that because I put clippings from a holly bush and a burning bush that grow in our yard around the turkey and hid the tray completely.

2. Pick one “project” for yourself for the whole season.

Stop there & just do it. It is fairly easy to get carried away fantasizing about all of the beautiful handmade things you’re going to make and do. The only problem is, when you have too many things on your list, you get paralyzed, overwhelmed and do very little. Then you feel bad about it. It’s a vicious cycle. Give yourself one decorating project and just focus on doing a great job on that one thing.

3. Ask the people you love what’s important to them.

Sometimes the experts just aren’t right when it comes to proclaiming what’s best. If you get to the point where you feel your stress levels rising and your chest constricting – tune out the noise. Step away from the org porn and the experts and go listen to the opinions of the people that really matter: your loved ones. Ask them what traditions are important to them and focus on those.

What do you think? Have you ever fallen prey to the org porn over-promise?

Mark C. from Brownstown, Mi. had the following question for us:

Just a note to say I enjoyed your most recent column about Christmas cards. I love Christmas cards and I’m the one who always buys them and sends them out from my wife and I. As a matter of fact, I love all cards in general and am always buying them through out the year when I see one I like. You mentioned that Sarah displays all of her cards on as ribbon and hangs them. Great idea! I’m just wondering if she staples them on the ribbon (stupid question probably) because I’d love to do that with ours.

Well, Mark I’m glad you asked (and there is NO such thing as a stupid question)! There are so many creative ways to display them.

Displaying with ribbon

If you use ribbon like me, there are a few ways to hang the cards.

You can hang folded cards right over the ribbon or string. While they aren’t officially “fixed” – if the ribbon is not in a high-traffic zone, they will probably stay on the string just fine.

You can use a simple paper clip to affix cards. Either clip as you would normally, or if you are using a double-faced ribbon, you can stick the paper clip into the center of the ribbon. For a tutorial, check out this “how-to” on Tips from a Typical Mom.

…or you could use a clothespin. {image via: DragonFlyTreasure on Etsy}

There are lots of adorably decorated clothespins for sale on Etsy if you want to take it up a notch creatively.

I love this whimsical set. You can buy for $5 from Etsy seller IDontGiveaKnit.

Other cute options from Etsy sellers:

Felt angels from FeltLikePaper for $14.95

Candy cane clips from MLscraps for $8

Hand painted clips from SugarAndPaint

Or you could just search for “Christmas Clothespins” on Etsy and you’ll have more options than you could imagine!

Other Creative Displays

Wire card holder from Pottery Barn: $49

Wrap Lametta Tinsel around a mirror, affix to the back of the mirror with thumbtacks. Use 1″ double circular clips to affix cards to the tinsel. {Via: Martha Stewart}

Hole punch each card, and put a ribbon through the hole. Tie ribbon around bannister for a lovely and unique display. {Via: Unclutterer}

What’s your favorite way to display Holiday greetings?