Long light filled evenings are winding down, kids are heading back to school, and new routines are taking shape. If you are a mom with kids in school (pre-school through college!) this likely feels more like January than January actually does! For me this time of year always represents new beginnings and a fresh start. It’s also a time to catch up on things I’ve been putting off and time to do a little early planning before the holidays hit! Below are a few things I’ve been working on and plan to continue next week. Go through this list with me and let’s get organized! I made a printable of these items at the end of this post if you want to print it out and check things off as you go! YAY for a list! If you weren’t feeling the January vibes you are now. :)
1 – Put away your summer decor! Donate anything you won’t use next year and organize what you are keeping.
Full post on this closet is HERE. Feels so good to have this all organized nicely for next summer!
2 – Go through closets and rooms (assign one a day if that’s easiest!) and declutter. Put anything you don’t need/love in a garbage bag to donate.
Don’t let this step overwhelm you! We aren’t re-organizing everything. Just do a walk through with a garbage sack and see if there is anything you know you can get rid of that you aren’t using anymore. If you have older kids give them a sack and tell them to do the same in their bedrooms with clothes and items they don’t need. Then donate the items as soon as you can after you round them up!
3 – Organize a drawer (or two!). Set a timer for 15 minutes and clean out one drawer.
(Favorite Food Organizers/Lid Organizer)
Starting small gets your momentum going and leads to more decluttering!
4 – Clean out your fridge and toss anything old or expired.
Always feels so good doesn’t it!?
5 – Prep some healthy snacks to have ready in the fridge and pick one day each week to make this a habit!
6 – Buy items for a few easy crockpot meals your family loves that you can always have on hand and ready to make.
Fall is soup season! I love trying new crockpot recipes. It’s the only time of year cooking sounds slightly appealing to me.. ha! This Crockpot Chicken Chili is a favorite recipe I shared in this blog post!
Crockpot/Chicken Shredder (if you don’t have this chicken shredder it’s a game changer!)
6 – Wipe out your pantry and take a minute to clean out baskets, canisters and drawers. Re-stock items that are running low.
(Full Pantry Organization post with all sources)
7 – Go through your make-up and toss old/expired items.
(Full Bathroom Organization Post with all sources)
8 – Clean under the bathroom sink and toss old/expired items.
(Full Bathroom Organization Post with all sources)
9 -Organize your wrapping supplies. Stock up on gift sacks, wrapping paper, ribbon and tape.
There are so many ways to organizer wrapping paper! I keep mine in this office cabinet.
This is how the bins are organized.
I keep extra Christmas wrapping paper in this organizer.
You can also use baskets to hold supplies and gift sacks!
10 -Buy a few extra gifts to keep on hand for last minute gifting.
I use these bins in my closet to hold a lot of random items including one or two for extra gifts!
11- Create a holiday decorating basket with command hooks, scissors and other decorating essentials.
(Holiday Decorating Basket Items)
I keep gloves in my basket for putting up my Christmas trees! A little tip that helps. :)
Now is a good time to stock up on batteries too!
12 – Look at your calendar for the rest of the year. Schedule appointments, family photos, upcoming trips, holiday plans/parties you are hosting, etc.
(Notes and Plans/To-Do planner)
13 – Go through your closet and quickly pull out and donate things you aren’t wearing anymore. Set your fall and winter clothes where they are accessible and put summer items away.
14 – If you have young kids with toys, donate anything they aren’t playing with.
Flashback to Kole’s bedroom 5 years ago. ;) We don’t need to go through toys but we definitely need to clean out his room.. it’s not looking nearly as tidy at the moment!
15 – Clean out and organize your car.
It’s always the best feeling when it’s clean right!? Don’t forget to clean out the console! Toss out the gum wrappers and organize what you are keeping inside.
(Car Organization Post/Sources HERE if you need some ideas!)
16 – Refresh cozy things like blankets, bedding and sheets. Flip and vacuum mattresses.
I’m working on this over the weekend! I just ordered new sheets (these are my favorite!) and I ordered this to vacuum our mattresses. My bedding looks a little different.. I’ll share a new pic soon!
I hope this post gives you a few ideas of how to get on top of things before you decorate for fall! Obviously you can work on this list while you decorate for fall and you don’t need to do it all! It just feels so good to get any of these things done before the holidays hit! Below is a printable with these items in list format if it’s helpful to check them off as you go. Happy early fall home re-set! :)
