Challenge #5- Bows & Ribbons

With the holidays behind us, now is the perfect time to organize your bows, ribbon and gift wrapping supplies.

In the event you are just joining us, here is the general approach we are using all month:

THE PROCESS

1. Gather your supplies: (you can reuse these same supplies each day)

• Boxes or bags labeled with “Donate”, “Elsewhere” and “Store”
• Trash can and recycle bin
• Damp rag/wet wipe

2. Remove everything from the area (yes, everything) and wipe it clean with a damp rag.

3. Sort the items into these categories: (The Seana Method’s R.E.D.D.S. system)

• R- Restore: these are the items going back in
• E- Elsewhere: these are items to keep, but that don’t belong in this space
• D- Donate
• D- Dispose: trash or recycle
• S- Store: items you want to keep for sentimental reasons, or perhaps for a long-term future use, but which you don’t regularly use. These items will eventually need to go into a bin/box in an attic, basement, or closet.

4. Keeping the “Restore” items out, and put all other items into the boxes/bags you prepared.

5. Move items to their final destination:

• 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” items into a container and move it to a remote location for future access.

THE TASK

Using the process outlined above,  gather all of your supplies from wherever they may be and bring them to a clear surface where you can sort them.

Dispose of (trash or recycle) tiny pieces of wrapping paper that have been crushed, gift tags that have lost their adhesive, or any items that are bashed,ripped, or wrinkled. Remember, the wrap is part of the gift, so don’t keep anything that looks like trash. Random items you find stashed 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 separate out the Christmas/holiday supplies and store them remotely with your decorations. As always, be sure to put them in a labeled container that closes tightly so that nothing gets dirty.

In addition to the paper & bows, consider assembling the “equipment” you need when wrapping (tape, pen, scissors) and keeping an extra set of these near your wrapping station.

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, such as a laundry counter or the kitchen table. If you have drawers or built-in storage, this will be easy. If you don’t have designated storage, consider:

A roll-away plastic cart with drawers which can be rolled under a counter or into a closet.

A dowel, tension rod or pants hanger for hanging spools of ribbon.

A trash can for holding wrapping paper.

A gift wrap organizer that can hang in a closet or slide under a bed..

An “over the door” wire rack.

**REMINDER: Before buying any container, measure carefully (including clearance on top of your door!), and determine which solution would work best for your space.

That’s it! Do any of these ideas look like they might work for you? What solutions have you found for storing gift wrapping supplies?