How many half used rolls of wrapping paper, gift bags, gift boxes and tags do you have in your gift giving supply? Do you buy more every year? This year lets try and use up the remaining supply and not buy more! My tip for future wrapping is to invest in just white butcher paper or brown mailing paper. If you like to add your own personal touch use stamps to decorate, markers or ribbons. This way you can give a gift for any occasion and not be limited by the seasonal decoration.

Does your home become overloaded with toys after the holidays? After the gift exchange do the toys get put away or do they hang around in the living room for a few days? Sometimes there just isnt an inch to space in the playroom for a single new toy. This year get organized before the holidays. Make room by getting rid of some of the toys the kids have outgrown before the introduction of new toys. Its a great time to get through those toy boxes, toss the broken, mismatched parts and pieces and part with the toys they are no longer interested in. Donate toys to local hospital, Goodwill, local churches and Daycare centers.

Could your holiday storage use a little help? Did you unpack delicate ornaments mixed in with heavy metal household decorations? Do your holiday lights resemble a plate of spaghetti? This year make a point to repack your decorations carefully and get rid of any damaged or unused decorations. If your budget allows you to purchase plastic storage containers this year it will help in protecting them if stored in the garage or basement. Store small groups of decorations together in shoe boxes or other boxes. Store lights by wrapping around paper towel holders or cardboard and store in a separate bag or pack in a plastic light storage box. And finally use the leftover tissue paper to protect your breakables and prevent items from shifting around in the box.

Do you still have a stack of unused gift cards waiting to be used from last year? If they expire soon you might want to organize your holiday shopping around those cards. If you have set your holiday budget for gifts, travel, entertaining or wardrobe see if you can use your cards to cover any of your holiday spending. Before you head out to the stores check to see if you can use your cards for online purchases and save a trip to the store.