Challenge #5- Bows & Ribbons

It is the first Tuesday of GO! (Get Organized!) month. How are you doing? It’s not too late to join us by accepting today’s challenge: organizing your bows, ribbons & wrapping supplies.

Let’s recall the process we are using throughout the month:

THE PROCESS

• Gather your supplies:
  • Boxes or bags labeled with:
    • “Donate”
    • “Elsewhere”
    • “Store”
  • Trash can/recycle bin
  • Damp rag/wet wipe

• Empty challenge area for the day. And by empty, I mean EMPTY.

• Once the area is empty, wipe it clean with a damp rag.

• Now sort the items into these categories: (The Seana Method’s R.E.D.D.S. system)
  • R- “Restore”: items to go back in
  • E- “Elsewhere: items to keep, but which don’t belong in this space
  • D- “Donate”
  • D- “Dispose”: trash or recycle
  • S- “Store”: items to keep for sentimental reasons, or perhaps for a long-term future use, but which are not regularly used. (These items will eventually need to go into a bin/box in an attic, basement, or closet.)

• As you are sorting, put items into the boxes/bags you prepared.

• Once you are finished sorting, put the “Restore” items back into your designated area.

• Carry the “Elsewhere” box/bag around your house and redistribute its contents.

• Move the “Donate” box/bag to the car to be donated.

• Trash/recycle the “Dispose” items

•  Put the "Store" box aside for now. When the month is over, these items will be packaged for long-term storage.

THE TASK

January is the perfect time to corral all and organize your wrapping materials. Using the process outlined above, you first need to gather all of your supplies to a clear surface where you can sort them.

Here is what to get rid of: any items that are bashed/ripped/wrinkled, tiny pieces of wrapping paper that have been crushed, gift tags that have lost their adhesive, etc. The wrapping is part of the gift, so don’t give something that looks like trash. Any random items you found stuck in with wrapping supplies can be put in your “Elsewhere” bag/box to be redistributed when you are finished.

Now sort the items by type: ribbon, bows, paper, gift tags, tissue. If you have limited space, you may want to make separate piles for Christmas/holiday wrap vs. supplies you use year round (the holiday supplies and red/white/green bows can be stored with your decorations in an out of the way space, such as an attic, basement or high closet shelf…just be sure to store them in a clear, labeled container that closes tightly so they don’t get dirty.)

Now you are ready to re-load your space. Think carefully about where to put these supplies. The ideal place is near a horizontal surface, so you can pull them out and quickly wrap. Having a roll-away plastic cart with drawers is a nice option if you have the space for it (see image), and these are fairly affordable. If you have a large laundry room, you might be able to install a rod on which to hang your ribbon for quick clipping. A large kitchen trash can works well for holding wrapping paper, as do specialty plastic bins designed for this purpose. Another option is a wrapping paper holder designed to hang on the back of a door. Before buying a container, determine which type would work best for your space. Then put it on your list to buy one this week or this weekend.

In addition, you may want to consider assembling the “equipment” you need when wrapping and designating these to be used only in this location (tape, pen, scissors). LABEL the scissors as “wrapping” so they don’t walk away:)

Post photos of your progress, and email us with any questions you have. Happy organizing!

Submitted by Seana Turner, founder and President of The Seana Method