Easy tips for an Eco-friendly Christmas

See my 1 minute video below – for Eco-friendly Christmas:

(2 minute read + video)

 

Is it hard to find a balance between all the fun plastic stuff we buy for Christmas and the impact on people and our planet?

 

See below easy steps you can take:

 

(Source: The Soil Association)

 

– Only give gifts that people really need, avoid adding clutter to your loved ones homes

– Don’t guess, ask people what they want

– Make this year’s Christmas dinner an organic feast (budget allowing, think quality not quantity)

– Buy recycled wrapping paper & cards (avoid glitter and shiny stuff which cannot be recycled)

– Agree to buy secret Santa Gifts from a charity shop

– Avoid last-minute shopping for ‘top up’ presents (don’t be tempted by throwaway items)
– Remember presents aren’t the focus of Christmas, even for children

– Agree on a budget for children to work to for their Christmas Lists

 

Sustainable Gift Ideas:-

  • Buy gifts made from sustainable materials (Wooden toys, Organic beauty products, gifts made from existing material) @naturalcollection
  • Reduce Chrismas debt and get creative – give a promise voucher for babysitting, a summer picnic by a river or a free town walk @talesof tunbridgewells
What's a Declutter Power Hour?

Shopping bag storage

How to organise shopping bags

Do your shopping bags take up loads of room? Are they overflowing?

 

  1. Edit
  • Decide how many you really need
  • Be ruthless and only keep what you use
  • Remove damaged ones

 

  2. Organise

  • Divide into 2 or 3 different types (depending on what you use them for e.g Reusable ones, thin plastic, paper bags etc.)
  • Use a container for each type
  • A hanging container might work better for you
  • Fold or knot up where possible
  • This takes up much less space
  • The key to keeping tidy is maintaining it. It takes a conscious effort to fold but it only takes a few seconds each time
  • If you don’t want to fold make sure you keep each type in the container so you know where to find each type you use
  • You might want to keep a container of bags in the boot of your car (which will need to be topped up)

 

See more ideas below:

 

amazon
Knot smaller plastic bags
Clever reuse of bottle
Mayhem fabric @Etsy
Amazon
Scrappy geek @Pinterest
Pinterest - Modern parent messy kids
Pinterest
@ nineteensventythreeltd
Pinterest

How to organise sentimental items

How to edit and organise your sentimental items and mementos?

Reminding you of happy times, people or places.

 

Ticket stubs, stickers, old school books, your children’s paintings, beloved childhood teddy bears, whatever it is, you are likely to have some items which are very precious and you don’t want to part with. 

 

Top tips for editing and organising these:

  • Keep sentimental items together
  • Designate a box to keep mementos in
  • Choose a pretty or decorative box, making the most of what you cherish
  • Keep accessible so you can add or review items
  • Allocate one box for each member of the family
  • Don’t keep something just because it was a gift unless you really want it, once a gift is given its job is done
  • Decide how many of an item is enough?
  • Choose one or two of the same item, keep your favourite
  • Scan or photograph items instead of keeping items, this is a really effective way of letting go of items if you have limited storage space. 
  • Only keep what makes you smile, this may change over time, so do review your items intermittently
  • Frame or make a display feature of special items
For more tips

Top 5 wardrobe organising products

To help keep your wardrobe tidy long-term use containers or products to divide up certain categories of clothes and accessories.

 

Which are the products that really make a difference and are worth getting?

 

Here are 5 organising products I always recommend to my clients. Simple, cost-effective and flexible for most cupboards, drawers and wardrobe space.

 

Find out more about my Organise your wardrobe like a pro webinar sessions

1. SKUBB box of 6

https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/p/skubb-box-set-of-6-white-00428549/ £5

 

Divide up drawers or wardrobe space into any combination with this multipack. Use for different categories of clothes to keep organised, keeping easy to see what you have and stopping them getting messed up. Hard wearing and made of 100% recycled polyester. Use with folded items like t-shirts or use with loose things like balled up socks., although anything works in them.

2. Songmic space saving hangers

Songmics Velvet Hangers 50 Pack £21

If space is limited in your wardrobe consider swapping to space saving hangers. Not only will you fit more in, it will look neater and I find things stay on the hangers better than plastic, metal or wooden ones. I prefer the black colour. which looks smarter and make clothes stand out.

Songmic on Amazon

3. Drawer pocket dividers

Maxporium 4 piece drawer organiser £14

 

I’d recommend these for keeping socks underwear or bras organised. It’s a really visual way of seeing what you have which is helpful and nothing gets mixed up.

 

Although the quality of these items can be variable they are really useful. See John Lewis for a study version for larger items like sports leggings or t-shirts.

Maxiporium on Amazon
Anyday organiser from John Lewis
Skubb with compartments from Ikea

4. Hanging storage

Skubb white hanging shelves £7

mDesign set of 2 hanging shelves £21

 

If you have hanging rails and more clothes than you can fit in, then swap to some hanging shelves. You’ll fit so much more in and it will be easier to see what you have. I have limited wardrobe space myself and I use this method to maximize my storage. If you have very easily creased or delicate items you might want to hang these still. This also works well with the Skudd storage compartments to divide up clothes on these ‘shelves’.

5. Shelf dividers

iDesign shelf dividers from John Lewis £10

 

If you have open shelves, keep items separate and tidy with shelve dividers. I’ve included photos of a study version from iDesign and The Home Edit at John Lewis, although others examples are available on amazon.

And some other great ones...

Lined Wicker Baskets

Wicker baskets from The Basket Company

 

Great for storing loose items in an organised way. Works well for scarves, socks or underwear. The lining protects delicate items inside from snagging on the wicker and can be removed and washed when required over time.

Vacum Packs (for Seasonal Storage)

Swap over summer and winter items to make more space. Lots of good ones out there. This one is from John Lewis.

Make up storage

Divide up make-up to keep it tidy and organised. This extendable version is good to maximise space in drawers. Lots of versions of clear plastic storage is available, try Homesense, aplaceforeverything.com and this one at John Lewis.