Dec 24 - Organizing Tips from GON Readers - GON in 5 Minutes Newsletter

Published: Tue, 12/24/24

Updated: Tue, 12/24/24

Get Organized Now!

In Less Than 5 Minutes!

by Maria Gracia

December 24, 2024

GetOrganizedNow.com

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Organizing Tips from GON Readers

GON Reader Letter #1

Preserving Holiday Memories

We've all stopped while cleaning up the Christmas decorations as we start to toss the Christmas holiday cards. A feeling of, disappointment, maybe. There's sometimes pictures or special notes enclosed that we just don't want to toss.

Today, I came up with this solution. We still have a box of manilla envelopes, with the clasp, from a previous project. I inserted the list of names who sent cards, a copy of the Christmas letter I had sent, this year's calendar, and those few special pictures and notes. Label the envelope with "Christmas Cards 2024" or something similar, and place in a appropriate storage container.

This is the solution to one kind of clutter I saved as a memory for the future.

-- Melinda-Deanna Evans

GON Reader Letter #2

Wrap It, Protect It, Reuse It

Used wrapping is great for protecting holiday items. Just stash it in one of the empty storage bins. It can always be recycled then if not needed. Thanks for everything!

-- Shari N.

GON Reader Letter #3

Starting the Year with Balance

Dear Maria,

What helps me to quiet myself and welcome the New Year in a balanced way is to resume my meditation and qigong practices. I find that I do not take as much time for these during the holiday rush.

Also, I like to take the time to send out a post-holiday letter in lieu of Christmas cards. I find that I then have more leisure to reflect thoughtfully in regard to sharing what has occurred during the previous year.

As a plus, if I should have forgotten a valued friend or acquaintance from whom I had received a holiday card, it is not as obvious as people are accustomed to receiving my cards or letters after the start of the new year.

Blessings to you and your family and thank you for all the inspiration you provide!

-- Maria Shere, Santa Rosa, CA

GON Reader Letter #4

A Charming Way to Display Cards

Hi Maria,

In a previous newsletter, a reader had a question on how to display Christmas cards. I use a window shutter. Just insert the cards into the slats. You can buy them all ready decorated for Christmas or take an old one (wood or plastic) and decorate it for the holiday. My leans up against the wall, but you can hang it also. Love your newsletter with daily thoughts for my day.

-- Anita Adam

GON Reader Letter #5

Finding Joy in the Christmas Spirit

I am a Christmas Eve baby, and all my adult life, I have not been a fan of Christmas celebrations--too much to do and work, too. Anyway, I can't remember when I last put up my big artificial tree, but I found it easy to do this year. It was fun to hang up all the decorations that I had acquired over the years from friends, family, and co-workers. It put me in a good mood during this time of short daylight.

-- Pam Ferber

P.S. To Pam...From Maria: Happy birthday and Merry Christmas!

" I love reading your messages about your daughter... or anything that talks about home. I live in Franklin, WI... just outside of Milwaukee, so I totally hear you when you are talking about weather and activities and school. Merry Christmas to you and your family!"

-- Tracy Klement

Enjoying my newsletter? Please REPLY and let me know!

-- Thanks! Maria

Special EXTENDED for ONE MORE WEEK!

End-of-Year Super Sale

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Until Friday, December 27th

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Ready to get organized and simplify your life? Now’s the perfect time! When you purchase ANYTHING from my Get Organized Now Store, you get to choose one additional item absolutely FREE!

How It Works:

1. Browse our selection of tools and resources designed to help you declutter, tidy, and streamline your home.

2. Add your favorite item to your cart and check out.

3. Once you place your order, REPLY to this email with the name of the GON product you want for free. It will be emailed to you within 24 hours.

P.S. This special offer ends at 11:59 p.m. on Friday, December 27th. Don’t miss this chance to double up on tools that make life easier, more organized, and stress-free.

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FEATURED GON Member Bonus

As a valued member of GON in Five Minutes!, you get exclusive bonuses whenever new ones are available—PLUS unlimited access to all of my previous ones. This month, I'm excited to announce my...

GON 2025 Monthly Organizing Calendar:
Declutter, Organize, Clean, Tidy, and Transform Your Home

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This Week's Feature
5 Post Holiday Organizing Tips

Organizing after the holidays sets the stage for a smoother, more enjoyable festive season next year. I personally begin undecorating on January 7th and tackle a little bit each day until everything is neatly packed away. It’s a routine I’ve come to love—it feels like gently easing into the new year. Here are five practical tips I follow to keep things organized and stress-free after the holidays

December 2024 Monthly Organizing Checklist:

My December 2024 Organizing Checklist provides an organizing TO DO for every day of the month

December 2024 Monthly Organizing Challenge:

More Experiences, Less Stuff

Each day this month, dedicate 15 minutes to tackle these decluttering challenges and reward yourself with a new experience. These small steps will help clear your space and create room for more joy

GON Reader Web Poll:

How do you tackle post-holiday cleanup and organizing?

Cast your vote in the poll on my home page. Results will be published in this newsletter next month.

Results of Last Month's Poll:

Last month I polled GON Readers and asked...

What Is Your Biggest Distraction When Trying to Get Organized?

Access the results, along with a whole bunch of personal reader comments

"Christmas is forever, not for just one day, for loving, sharing, giving, are not to put away like bells and lights and tinsel, in some box upon a shelf. The good you do for others is good you do yourself."
-- Norman Wesley Brooks

"The proper response, as Hanukkah teaches, is not to curse the darkness but to light a candle."
-- Irving Greenbergs

"This is the season when people of all faiths and cultures are pushing back against the planetary darkness. We string bulbs, ignite bonfires, and light candles. And we sing.”
-- Anita Diamants

I'd love to hear from you.

I LOVE GON reader mail! Whether it's a comment, suggestion, or just a note to say hello, REPLY to this email with a short note.

And remember...there's no better time to get organized, than to Get Organized Now!

Warmly,

Maria Gracia
GetOrganizedNow.com

How to Use This Newsletter

In this newsletter, you will find stories, ideas, inspiration, links and more to help you live a less stressful, more organized, more fulfilling life.

We encourage you to apply these ideas to your own life AND share them liberally with your family, friends, and fan base via email, on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, other social media outlets, and in person, of course!

When you share, please mention my name and web site - Maria Gracia - GetOrganizedNow.com as the source.

Thank you for helping to spread the gift of organizing far and wide!

-- Maria

Maria Gracia,

Get Organized Now!

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-- Maria Gracia

Get Organized Now!
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