Hello Friends!
It’s been one of the most beautiful summers I can remember in decades and I, for one, am sad to see it come to an end. Where did 2023 go (she says to herself every time this year)? I’m a bit late this month, so much going on (more at the end of the newsletter) and I managed to get the seasonal crud and that took the wind out of my sails!
Newsletter Topic of the Month
Ok, this is going to be a loaded topic. Some will love it, others are going to groan. The holidays are just around the corner! This time of year tends to be filled with clutter. For so.many.reasons. Let’s look ahead a bit and do some planning so that the clutter doesn’t overwhelm you. Getting supplies early is key, as they often sell out!
Gifts...shopping for all the gifts, then bringing them home, you need a place to put them. Have you ever hidden something so “someone” won’t find it, and then that someone becomes YOU? I did this every year. Here’s how we solve that. I buy gifts all year long, when I see the perfect thing, I get it. But I could never find it later. Look around your house. Do you have a laundry basket sized area, cabinet, section of a closet or space in the garage for a bin? Create a bin or basket for GIFTS. Anytime you buy something that is where it goes. You will know where to put it and where to find it! I add a sticky note to each item with the giftees name, because if I am honest, I have forgotten who I bought something for a time or two. Being ready with gifts early allows you to ship sooner with no lines or give gifts to send with distant relatives who might be visiting from out of town!
Décor. Holiday decorating is my all.time.favorite. I absolutely love Christmas. If you haven’t purged your holiday décor in a while, the best time is while setting it all up. I love holiday-colored bins, red/green for Christmas, blue for Hannukah, orange for Halloween etc. When you are setting up, if there are things you no longer want or need, donate them early in the season! Or maybe there are lots of things that will be given to the college age kids in a few years, make bins for them now. We would sort through 10 bins every year and only use about 6 so I did a mega purge, and it was great.
When you are displaying holiday items, pull some of your everyday décor out of rotation…store that in the holiday bins. This prevents you home from looking cluttered when you layer in holiday décor.
Lastly, create a gift wrap/holiday card station. I have a small chest of drawers where our Christmas tree sits. I move it around the corner into my office. I bought two of the decorative holiday themed “suitcase” style boxes, and they sit on top hiding tissue paper, holiday card supplies, tape, scissors, small gifts to be wrapped, boxes, bags, tags and more. This keeps things all together and easy to find.
Have a topic idea? Area of struggle? A fun tip? Send it in and I may make it the topic of the month. Email me at hello@judygranleegates.com
Join in the conversation at Facebook group – Declutter and Resize – Bigger Living Smaller Space
Product(s) of the Month:
All things holiday organization! Here are some of the holiday items talked about above.
Great for ornament storage! Dividers are adjustable so you can fit all different sizes.
I love a fake, pre-lit tree for the ease of set up and take down. This bag is great and helps keep it clean when not out on display.
Storage for indoor and outdoor lights because we all know that when its time to get them out next year, it takes hours of untangling.
These wreath bags can either be hung or stacked for storage. Similar to the tree bag, keeps your plastic wreathes clean and ready for next year.
Storage boxes for your wrapping center that are festive and functional!
Wrap storage! This type works great for putting in the garage when not in use and keeping everything clean and dry, but a tall basket or garbage bin work well, too!.
An organizer like this holds holiday cards and letters, stamps, tape and pens perfectly. Plus it can be used in the non-holiday seasons.
News & Upcoming Events
September is a busy month for me!
You all know I wrote a book….lol… and this summit two years ago is how I got my start. I will be a featured speaker. It’s a bargain at $49, and you can watch replays. Honestly, if you have EVER thought about writing a book, I cannot tell you how invaluable this was for me. There will be several authors who published in 2023 on hand to speak on specific topics and answer your burning questions. Maybe you are not ready yet, but it is still good stuff to hear and start noodling on!
September 19th & 20th
Reserve your ticket only $49
VIP options available
I am also part of a summit starting the week of September 9/25 to 9/29 for women going through divorce. Now, I caused a little kerfuffle on social, folks thought I was getting divorced for a hot minute. Not the case. While I have been married for 35 years, most people don’t know that my mom was married 6 times and my dad 5 times. I know a tiny bit about the impacts of divorce. What I love about this is that it is F R E E. that’s right, free, and you can replay it! 27 speakers, it’s going to be an amazing resource whether you are thinking about divorce, getting a divorce, or have been divorced recently.
I’ll be speaking about what to do with all the stuff that needs to be split up, especially the sentimental stuff that may no longer hold value to you. And many women are forced to live smaller after the financial challenges of divorce, and I help navigate that.
Join us for Loving Life After Divorce Virtual Summit: Experts reveal methods to help you navigate divorce with confidence and create a life you love!
I have a complimentary ticket for you to attend. Register here!
The summit is live 9/25 to 9/29! Our esteemed speakers will delve into a diverse range of topics designed to equip you with the tools you need to navigate divorce with courage and confidence and embrace a fresh chapter.
What to expect when you're expecting a divorce
Understanding how to manage conflict during and after divorce
Surviving challenges, chaos and conflict when co-parenting and stepparenting
What to watch out for and mistakes to avoid when divorcing a narcissist
Important financial and estate planning issues and how to avoid or overcome pitfalls
Steps to mend a broken heart, embrace vulnerability and trust again
The best strategies for dating after divorce on & offline
When to know you are ready for sex and how to make your sex life better
Key strategies to help you start embracing a fresh chapter
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