Holiday Decorating Made Easier Trick #4

Let me rephrase that. 

It may not make your decorating easier,

 because that depends on just how much 

holiday decor you have, but you will have less

chaos and mess.

No matter which tree I am decorating, this one,

 or the next one, they all get the same treatment.

A box system.

Everything that goes on a tree goes in a 

specific box for THAT tree, or 2 boxes, or three.

Lights from that year, hangers, all of it. 

When I decide which tree to do on any given day

 I bring in the tree and the corresponding boxes.

 I don't have to haul in 16 different mismatched tubs,

 taped together boxes etc. No fuss, no mess.

If I remove anything in that room to decorate,

 I place it into those same boxes

 for storage over the holidays. 

I can do a room at a time 

or all the trees first, my choice.

All other decor is placed in large tubs via category;

Garlands, large picks, wreaths, stuffed figures etc.

I can then easily go through the rooms adding garland,

picks, or the figures, all the while my home is

undisturbed except for a tub or a few boxes.

The guest rooms have so little decor, 

that the entire room fits in one small box.

If I change a tree a certain year, and I frequently do,

I simply change the labels on the box

 during the take down process. 

( these are not all the holiday boxes - if you enlarge  lol)

If you haven't seen it before,

 this is my system in the garage.

These boxes and tubs are 2 deep with the box contents

behind each front box labeled on the shelf 

for easy retrieval. When I first started many years ago, 

the set of boxes at Costco were around 10.00

 and I bought 2 sets at a time as I could afford them.

 Now they are around 16.00 I think but 

this system could save your sanity.

 Just think how easy I can pack

 when it comes time to move.

 Oh yeah, I'm done already.

Right now this box system in the garage 

is being completely draped with drop cloths

 and twinkle lights are going up and tables set for 

a classroom studio for my next Gathering. 

I always planned to do this, but was happily forced 

to do so because of the upcoming photo shoot.

This class will be a trial run for the system

( it has to be entirely removable, so cars can

be re-parked in here). I am not truly  happy 

with the effect so far but just like my box system,

 this will evolve and get better.

I will drape better, paint more things out,

 figure out how to hide the ugly etc.

We are usually having so much fun, no one cares.

(I hope)

coming up next

Sharing the Decorating Trick #5

*******

Rant update:

just so ya know

I received almost 40 emails

All positive - no negatives this time

I coined "pop up bloggers", 

don't know any other terms, if there is one

please let me know.

I shut off comments because I guessed

( correctly) that many would hesitate to 

comment publicly about their opinion of the practice

..and boy did they have opinions.

A sampling...

"bravo on the rant!!"

"...to me it seems selfish and so while I may “see” what they are doing (promoting themselves, manipulating stats, etc) I guess I don’t “get it” as you do.  For me, it’s just all out selfish and I can’t and won’t do that."  

"..it's about what you think to be right and fair and true for you and the people that matter to you. I recently switched my blog links to this format and was appalled to see from the beginning that this is done as often as it is.... "

  "Some of the ones that bump are ones I like, so I put them on their own blogroll.  Now they just bump each other all day long......."

( This 4th one may be a solution for some of you who wish to keep following these gals. I love the image of them jumping over each other all day long, no one staying on top for long)

"I'd never heard of pop-up bloggers before. At least I've never noticed them on my blog roll anyway. As a blogger I can't imagine ever doing something like that. Some people will do anything to be noticed!

 You know, now that I think about it ... is _______one of them?"

"I wanted to thank you.  I had been having this happen recently and had no idea why

and I thank you for the education...uh duh - I didn't know. (And happen to agree with you whole-heartedly.....)  Rant on my friend....rant on..."


Don't forget the Crazy Giveaway for a free space in 
my Gathering class December 10th 
Love Is All Around.
You must comment on that post to be entered.
Please do not enter if you 
do not plan to attend if you win.


 You must comment before midnight
November 30. 
Good Luck!