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The Recycling Corner:
Holiday Packaging
& Gift Cards
Did you know ...
... that most Wrapping Paper can be recycled with other paper? Just separate out any metallic prints or wrap that's made of something other than paper.
... that before you recycle, lots of wrapping paper can be reused for smaller gifts? Just cut off the folded or taped sections and reuse on smaller boxes.
... that 2.65 BILLION Christmas cards are sent every year? And most of them are tossed afterwards!
Again, most of these are recyclable with paper (unless they have plastic, metal, or glitter in or on them).
Cards can also be reused:
- as postcards (separate the front page from the inner page and write on the back),
- as gift tags (the entire front page or cut out a portion with pinking shears),
- or for arts and crafts projects for the kids.
No kids? Check with your local First Grade, Kindergarten, or pre-K teacher to see if they can use your used cards.
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LEARN HOW
to Get More Organized!
(Upcoming classes and presentations)
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Time to Make Your Resolutions Stick!
at Sandwich Community Schools
Wednesdays
Jan. 4 & 11
6:30 - 8:30 pm
Manage your time and your motivation to make your resolutions really work this year!
Declutter your Home
Speaking engagement at the Osterville
Rotary Club
Wednesday
Jan. 4
12 Noon - 1 pm
Overcoming Procrastination
at Upper Cape Tech
Adult Ed, Bourne
Thursdays
Jan. 12 & 19
6:30 - 8:30 pm
Learn how to recognize your patterns, become more productive, and stop procrastinating. |
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Reminder:
Check out the coupon below!
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Dear , 
The holidays are almost here, so this month I'm featuring tips for keeping yourself organized and clutter-free during this busy season.
Note that gifts of your time, tickets to a special event, or gift certificates for a special service can be very thoughtful, much appreciated, and non-cluttering, so while you deck the halls and trim the trees, consider going a little more low-impact with your gift giving this year.
And if you need some help getting the house ready for guests, give me a call to help you declutter.
Wishing you the best of everything wonderful during the holidays!
- Maryann Murphy
Your Personal Organizing Expert
508 292-6706
P.S. Check out the coupon at the bottom of this issue for a great, non-cluttering holiday gift idea! |
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5 Easy Tips for Organizing your Gift-Wrapping
- Use a consistent color scheme to reduce the number of ribbons & bows you need to stock. Color-coordination and style-coordination also makes your gifts look more organized and elegant.
- Make your own gift tags on your computer or from the front page of used greeting cards. The recipients will be able to read them better, and you'll be able to fit your name on the tag more easily when you design them yourself. I always have trouble fitting "Aunt Maryann & Uncle Dan" in the tiny spaces most gift tags leave in the "From" space. Making my own lets me claim my full name.
- Use and re-use gift bags (instead of boxes with wrapping paper and ribbons) to save time. Gift bags are usually pretty durable, you don't need bows and ribbon (although you do usually need tissue paper), and they stand alone and disguise presents of all shapes and sizes. Plus, they have handy little handles for carrying them to Grandma's house!
- When you're done with your wrapping, store the holiday wrapping that you like and will use again away from your other, birthday, anniversary and new baby wrappings. You won't be using most of the red and green and gold wrapping again for at least 10 months, so put it in storage with your other holiday things to save space the rest of the year.
- After the holidays, don't keep every box you get, thinking you'll use it next year. If boxes nest inside each other or flatten out easily, and if you have the space for them - great, keep one set! But boxes take up a lot of room, and you'll easily collect more as the year goes on. Don't fill up your rooms with lots of empty boxes.
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Planning for the New Year! 
One of your most important organizing tools is probably due to be replaced - your day planner! Whether you use a paper version or go electronic, the end of the year is the perfect time to consider which type of planner will work best for you over the coming year.
The main features to look for in a planner are:
- Space to record your GOALS, as well as your "To Do's" and appointments. Goals keep us on track IF they're visible, so make sure your system allows you to record and easily view both your long-term and short-term goals. Some planners have inspirational quotes that can help even more with motivation, but the most important quotes are yours - what do you want to achieve this year and each month, week and day?
- Enough spaces to accommodate your typical day. If your day runs from 6 am to 11 pm, a calendar that only shows 9-5 isn't going to be very useful. Also, if your workweek includes Saturday or Sunday, you may not want a calendar that pushes the two together in one "weekend" block.
- Enough space to record the type of information you need. If you have a lot of appointments at different locations, you may need space to record the addresses, contact info, etc. If you keep a calendar for multiple people, you need one that allows you to color code for each of the people using it.
- Do you like it? If you don't you problably won't use it, and the most important thing is to use your planner consistently! For some, this means having pictures of puppies, for others it means being accessible 24/7 on your iPhone.
Whatever works for you is what you should get, even if somebody buys you some other type of calendar for Christmas. This is your most important tool for productivity and efficiency this year, so spend a little time picking out the one that's best for you! |
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 Please call me at 508 292-6706 if you need additional help organizing your home, your office, or your schedule.
I can come to your home or office and help you there, or coach you by phone.
My business relies on referrals, so please forward this to anyone you think might benefit from it. Thanks, and have a happy holiday season! I hope to talk with you soon. |
Sincerely,
Maryann Murphy, MSW Professional Organizer, Speaker, Trainer
(508) 292-6706
- Member, National Speakers Association (NSA) & NSA-NE
- Chronic Disorganization Specialist, Institute for Challenging Disorganization (ICD)
- Member, Mashpee Hoarding Task Force
- Past Director of Professional Development, National Association of Professional Organizers New England chapter (NAPO-NE)
- President, Marion Toastmasters Club
Please join my network on LinkedIn
Follow me on Twitter @MMurphyMSW
Like me on Facebook!
Check out my video on my website:
www.maryannmurphymsw.com |
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