OrganizingLA Blog

Declutter And Organize Your Holiday Gift Cards

 

Gift cards are expected to be a top popular gift this holiday season. One size fits all and the recipient can purchase anything on their list at any time. Yet the cards are only useful when you can find them, right?

According to a survey by Plastic Jungle (a site where consumers buy and sell gift cards), American collectively are sitting on over $30 billion worth of unredeemed gift cards, cluttering up our homes. That’s over $300 per home!

 

Gift Card organization tips:

 

Here are some tips to treat your gift cards more like cash and leave less money on the table this holiday season:

Gather – Consolidate and gather all gift cards stashed in supply cabinets, dressers, office desk and junk drawers into a central location.

Categories – Keep your cards in one large stack. Or, you may want to divide them into categories for easy access, i.e.; children's gift cards, each family member, retail store coupons (Bed, Bath & Beyond) merchandise store credits, theater and popcorn vouchers, etc.

Write Amounts - Use a fine point marker to write dollar amount on each card. Don't use giant writing because you're likely to have to cross it out and write on the card again after your next store trip.

Storage - My clients love small plastic accordion folders to aid in the organization and retrieval of the cards. I've also used Kate Spade pencil cases, baseball card holders and wallet size business card holders. Nicely notate the contents of the envelope or tab by using a labeling machine.

Access – Store the envelopes in your purse, car glove compartment or place discretely on a bookshelf or bulletin board so your portable system is ready to grab and go.

Your Turn:

 

Moms: how do you organize your family's gift cards this holiday season? Tweet your tips to @johntrosko or leave a comment below.

Gift card image above courtesy The Grove, Los Angeles and American Express.

 

 

This original topic originally appeared in an edited version on Perezitos, Perez Hilton's site featuring celebrity families and advice from pediatricians, parenting and lifestyle experts. Click here to check out our piece.

Like this Topic?

Want to learn smart and practical organizing tips for your home, office and life? Save time by signing up for free topic updates and receive them as soon as they're published. Plus, as a gift receive our exclusive Martha Stewart Living Radio recorded radio interview and transcript, chock full of strategies, tips and resources direct from John.

Enter your Email Address


Preview | Powered by FeedBlitz

Organize Your Pet - November is Senior Pet Month

We love our four legged-friends. But sad to say, they cannot pick up after themselves!

 

November is Senior Pet Month where we celebrate senior and geriatric pets. All pets bring us so much love no matter their age. Why not take a few minutes this month to corral their clutter and help keep your pet safe and healthy.

Tips on organizing your pets

 

•    Dedicate space in a low profile basket for play toys;

•    Install a wall hook or place a basket to hold leashes and lint brushes;

•    Store vaccination and immunization records in a binder;

•    Note future teeth cleanings, grooming and yearly check-ups in a calendar;

•    Place food in airtight plastic or glass containers for freshness;

•    Repurpose a cleaning caddy and make hauling shampoo and everyday groomers easy;

•    Store supplements and medicines in a cool dry place (not in bright sunlight);

•    Set up an adhesive note system on the fridge so others know pets are walked and/or fed;

•    Save yourself time by purchasing a self filling water bowl.

Set up a pet boutique

 

Set up a pet “boutique” in an extra cabinet or closet to accumulate pet sitting instructions, extra pet beds and collars, puddle pads, doggie bags and dog-wear, brushes, tennis balls, bowls and mats, fleece blankets and towels for bath day. It’s amazing how much we can accumulate for our pets.

 

Donate what you don't need

 

Review what you have and donate what you don’t need any more or have not used in the past 6-months. Your local shelter will be thrilled to take donations.

How much do you love your pets? How do you get them organized?

Tweet your tips and tricks to @johntrosko or enter a comment below.

Our edited version of this piece above originally appeared on Teddy Hilton, Perez Hilton's site featuring celebrity animals and their owners, veterinarian advice and current news stories from animal care experts and animal lovers. Click here to read this piece on Teddy Hilton.

Photo of Teddy Hilton (Perez Hilton's Goldendoodle ) courtesy photographer Mia Feinstein.

Like this Topic?

Want to learn smart and practical organizing tips for your home, office and life? Save time by signing up for free topic updates and receive them as soon as they're published. Plus, as a gift receive our exclusive Martha Stewart Living Radio recorded radio interview and transcript, chock full of strategies, tips and resources direct from John.

Enter your Email Address


Preview | Powered by FeedBlitz

Brooke Shields Copes Through Life By Being Hooked On Organization

 

Brooke Shields and her daughters in their Manhattan townhouse kitchen, renovated in collaboration by David Flint Wood and MADE architects

In 1983 there was quite a hustle and bustle in our small town Princeton, New Jersey when Brooke Shields was accepted to, and attended Princeton University at the same time I was entering High School.

 

I guess you could say it was our community's first brush with a big celebrity (Shields was was the youngest model to ever be featured on the cover of Vogue as well as being an actress). Along with Brooke came her protective mother (a "Kris Kardashian" style stage mother and manager) who purchased a nearby condo in Princeton to be close to her daughter. Sadly, this week, Brooke's mother Teri passed away at age 79 from an illness related to dementia.

Hooked on organization

 

Brooke admits that she did not grow up with a lot of structure around her home. But she turned to time management to give her a sense of structure and control in her life, particularly school. Check out this quote from Parade Magazine in 2010:

 

"I grew up without a routine at home, things were hit and miss. But my mother had me in a regular children's school my whole life and that routine calmed me. My school became like my home. I never missed school for work, ever. Sometimes I used to take my organizing a little too far with my Filofax, but that was the way that I coped. I didn't do drugs. I'm just organized."

 

Shields graduated from Princeton University with honors. She isn't the only actress who succeeded through modern life using her filofax, so did Uma Thurman. Even as a mother, Brooke raves in the Parade Magazine piece how much her children thrive with bedtime routines.

 

 

Brooke Shields organized clothes closet is built of rift-sawn white oak and outfitted with a rolling shoe rack and library ladder by Putnam Rolling Ladder Co.

 

Now is your chance to give us your thoughts. How did having children change your view on organization compared to being single? Does being organized like a professional organizer make a difference in school success? Chime in using the comment section below.

 

Photo courtesy Architectural Digest

 

Like this Topic?

Want to learn smart and practical organizing tips for your home, office and life? Save time by signing up for free topic updates and receive them as soon as they're published. Plus, as a gift receive our exclusive Martha Stewart Living Radio recorded radio interview and transcript, chock full of strategies, tips and resources direct from John.

Enter your Email Address


Preview | Powered by FeedBlitz