Guest Post:Tame Your Clutter: Tips To Get And Stay Organized All Year

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Whether you live in an apartment, a single-family home or you share a home with roommates, finding room for all your belongings can be a challenge. All though this holds true all year round, the holiday season and new year is a time when many folks seek to become more organized.

If you aren't sure what to do with all your new stuff, or your resolution for the upcoming year is to finally tame the clutter and get more organized, then you could probably use some storage tips.

Minimize, Prioritize And Organize
These are three important stages of organization. First, you want to minimize by getting rid of stuff that you don't need. This can be the hardest part. You may be loathe to part with some of your stuff, but if you don't need it, or use it, then it isn't earning its place in your home.

Guest Post: 12 Energy Saving Days Of Christmas

With the big day just around the corner, we’ve put together this list of nifty energy saving tips to see you through the 12 days of Christmas.

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Pick a tree
Opt for a real tree instead of an artificial one. Plastic trees are not biodegradable and emit a lot of carbon in production and shipping, whereas real trees are carbon neutral. For bonus energy saving points, get your tree from a company like Forever Green Christmas, who will deliver a potted tree to you and then take it away in the New Year to look after it until next Christmas.

About DIY: Recycled Gift Tags

Hello World!

The holidays are coming and what better way to show your friends and family that you really appreciate them, than offering them a handmade gift! I love handmade gifts; they are special and made with love. I didn`t have time to make everyone a handmade gift this year, but I made my own gift tags. It is easy, it costs nothing and the most important- it's from the heart and it’s recycled! 

Let me show you how it’s done! 

How to make recycled gift tags?

Guest Post: Keep It Simple: Easy Holiday Decorating

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The holidays are a warm, festive and glowing time, filled with family, good food and the sights and sounds of the season.

Getting your home decked out for the holidays may seem a bit overwhelming if you haven't yet accumulated a lot of seasonal items, but it doesn't have to be. Decorating your home by targeting a few specific areas can make a big impact, giving your living space a good dose of festivity for the holidays.

Where To Start?
Think of the places you and your family spend the most time, and focus on those. Most holiday gatherings center around meals, so sprucing up your table is one way to go.

Table decor doesn't have to be elaborate or expensive. You can check out holiday home clearance sales for Christmas table linens, festive serving platters and centerpiece decor. It's a good idea to start with a theme. Some theme ideas:

• Traditional green and red. Think holly, poinsettias and mistletoe.
  
• Go with an elegant theme. Think silver or gold and white. You can add accent colors like red or blue for a pop of color.
  
• You may prefer the rustic look. Think natural greenery and fabrics like burlap. Centerpiece accessories can include clove oranges, cranberries, cinnamon sticks and similar items.
  

Craft stores are a great resource for these types of decor. You can find containers, bowls and accessories that are perfect for creating a beautiful holiday centerpiece. Candles, silk flowers and greenery are all good choices that can be combined.

A festive table cloth or runner are easy ways to add a touch of Christmas to your table. Add some candles and you are done.

Light Up Your Living Space
Holiday string lights are a quick and easy way to bring the holidays into your home. Battery-operated light strands are great for using in wreaths, table arrangements and other decorative settings.

Another idea for these versatile lights is to place a strand of them in a glass vase or oversized mason jar. You can add any number of things to it such as Christmas ornaments, festive colored marbles or artificial greenery, pinecones etc. Add the lights and you have a lovely decoration for your mantle, table or any other spot that needs some holiday cheer.

Don't forget your fireplace mantle. This is prime decorating real estate. Lights across the mantle intertwined with garland and holiday decorations looks lovely. You can also use lights on indoor stairway railings.

Cozy up your living room with soft throws and pillows in holiday colors. Picture a roaring fire, a mug of hot cocoa and cheery throws in red or green.

Decor For The Bathroom
Easily one of the most used rooms in the house, the bathroom can be made festive for the holidays as well. Holiday guest soaps, themed towels and even fun shower curtains can create a holiday environment.

Incorporate all the senses into your holiday decor. Don't forget that the scents of fresh pine, cinnamon and gingerbread are as much a part of the holidays as the lights and the trees. Add some carols playing and your favorite holiday beverage and you are on your way!


+Jodi Call   Call took her years of experience in home design and décor and now offers an impressive collection of bed, kitchen, bath accessories and home furnishings at bedbathstore.com

Disclaimer: This is a Guest Post and the text, images and links were provided by the post author.

Guest Post: How To Get Your Home Ready For Winter And Save Money On Your Gas And Electricity Bills

Before you deck the halls, string up the lights outside and stock the freezer, there’s plenty more you can do to get your home ready for winter. These simple home improvements will help make your humble abode cozy for Christmas and can reduce your gas and electricity bills, so you have more to spend on posh crackers, mince pies and that perfect gift.

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Keep the big freeze outside
It's time to clear the remnants of summer from your freezer so it's fighting fit for winter. Do away with the frozen lollies and ice packs and defrost your freezer before you go for your big festive shop. By removing excess ice and produce, your freezer can cool your hearty festive stock more effectively. Keep your freezer less than three-quarters full so it can circulate the air without too much strain on the motor.