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HOUSTON DAILY JOURNAL Operation | f-fcMu} FAMILY FEATURES w M There's so much to keep up with during the holidays shopping, decorating, sending cards and managing social schedules. Being organized will allow more time for the joys of the season. “Disorganization can cause stress, espe cially during the holidays,” said Julie Hibbard of DYMO Corp., the leading manufacturer of labeling products. “For some, organization comes naturally, but for the rest of us there are tricks and tools, like using clear plastic storage bins and label makers, that help everyone.” Hibbard recommends categorizing and clearly labeling holiday decor storage. She suggests starting with a label maker, like DYMO’s Personal Labelmaker and several clear plastic storage bins, one each for ornaments, lights, and garlands, gift wrap, gift bags, and ribbons / bows. “Everything stays clean and dry in plastic bins,” says Hibbard, “and it’s much easier when boxes are clearly labeled and con tents are visible." While reorganizing holiday storage, Hibbard also suggests getting rid of items that haven’t been used in years. Another tip Hibbard recommends for staying organized is winding holiday lights around coffee cans to avoid tangling. “Position the plug near the top of the can so the strands can be easily tested,” she says. To manage holiday to-do and shopping lists, Hibbard uses a small notebook for easy inventory of what’s needed and what’s not while shopping. It also helps to prevent her from over-buying. Keeping a schedule during the holidays is also very important. Hibbard suggests putting holiday parties on the calendar, and scheduling time for holiday deco rating, card writing, shopping, baking and wrapping. “Then rally the troops! Being organized makes it much easier to enlist the family to complete tasks like decorating, shop ping, wrapping or post-holiday tear down.” Another time-saver Hibbard endorses is on-line address labels for holiday cards. Putting address lists on the com puter means more time for hand-written personal notes inside the cards. She recommends DYMO’s Label Writer Twin Turbo, a label and postage printer that connects with your home computer and eliminates hand-addressing envelopes and long lines at the post office during one of the busiest time of the year. Typed addresses, she notes, are also much more likely to arrive at their destination on time. To avoid marathon wrapping on Christ mas Eve, Hibbard suggests setting up a gift wrap schedule and station with sup plies like scissors, tape, pens, wrapping paper, gift bags, tissue, gift tags, ribbon and bows organized and labeled in clear plastic bins. It’s also a good idea to reserve an extra storage bin or two to store gifts bought in advance, she says. Mom, Where’s the...? Tired of everyone coming to you when they can’t find something? Here are tips from the pros for hot spots of disorganization. Kitchen Spin Zone Lazy Susans provide access and visibility in packed pan-tries or refrigerators. Many sizes are available. Clear Counters For counters cluttered with more small appliances than the local Crate and Barrel, create more space by storing dust-collectors that aren’t used daily. Cupboard Convenience Keep pots, pans and cooking utensils near the stove so that these items are handy when the heat is on and food preparation is underway. Closet Out With the Old Make room by donating any thing that hasn’t been worn in the past year. Stay in Season Reorganize closets each season. Put out-of-season clothing and accessories towards the back of the closet or in other storage areas. (Label before storing for easy recovery when a heat wave or cold front hits.) <&4 Wr) ' 1 hf' lj f? ! 'd Get Stacked Shoe-lovers should label stack able clear plastic shoe containers or tape a digital photo or Pola roid to shoe boxes to make finding just the right pair for each outfit a breeze. Colorize Group clothing by type and color to make finding specific garments easier. Garage Clear the Bench Work benches are a catch-all for random items, including small dangers like loose screws and nails. Put small items in labeled jars or bins for easy access. Peg the Problem Install inexpensive pegboards with movable hooks behind workbenches and along garage walls to keep tools in reach and out of the way. From hammers to hacksaws, nearly anything with a handle can be hung. Look Up Solutions Hang off-season items such as sleds, bicycles and jogging strollers from the rafters. Sports and lawn care equipment orga nizers can be hung from walls to keep rakes and balls off the floor. The organized holiday storage closet on the right demonstrates the effectiveness of labels and clear plastic bins. Resolve to Get Organized As the holiday frenzy winds down, New Year’s resolutions to get organized kick in. Whether the goal is to make room in the closet for new clothes, find space in the garage to park the car, or gather everything for tax season, follow these organizational basics from DYMO: 1. Be realistic: Tackle one room, closet or file cabinet at a time. 2. Everything has its place: Keep every day items within arm’s reach and store seldom-used items in labeled containers. Keep your label maker handy. The DYMO Personal Labelmaker Plus comes with a handy magnetic holster for convenient storage on the refrig erator or file cabinet. 3. Get rid of it: Dispose of items not used for more than a year. 4. It’s a date: Keep a calendar handy near the phone to schedule appoint ments, games, recitals and time for organizing. 5. Save the trees: Only subscribe to publications you read cover to cover. Store issues needed for future use in labeled storage bins. Recycle the rest. 6. Train ’em young: Keep labeled toy baskets in rooms where the kids play. Get them in the habit of tossing toys back in the basket before bed and regain some adult space. LIFESTYLE is « fit vl’ * vV. Ll *'4 . jl ha jQ a am SE SBEW-v •hi "Organization 1 9 lIHjBL: jL, ■'V . 'Jj jjr jyfll 1 d H ■■‘SmKm-M- * * A-ti , » 7. Get help: Tap the skills of an über orga nized, or “Type 0,” person you know, or call a professional organizer to get you started. 8. Divide and conquer: Assign household chores to family members. 9. Cool reminders: Putting magnetic J labels on the refrigerator with daily \fl tasks and chores for each family member will help keep everyone accountable for his or her household responsibilities. 10. Maximize space: Add extra JgfJM racks, rods and shelf Jayiji dividers to closets or storage space. it - TtiWJTrnm Til Sk * H\ j- “'NS; ■ W For more organi zational tips, visit www.dymo.com. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2006 ♦ 5C