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Take the Christmas decorating challenge and get organized for the season now in just five easy steps.Don’t worry. We aren’t going to start decorating this week (unless you really want to!). Instead, we’re going to get our Christmas decorating organized. You know those years when you went to decorate the tree and none of the lights worked or you had plans to make something you saw on Pinterest and then…well, you know what happened. This year it won’t with a few simple steps you can take now.

#1 Get out decorations and sort

The first step is a tough one, I’ll admit. Get out your Christmas decorations and sort them according to what room they’ll go in. You’ll put them in labeled bags and boxes, but first get rid of anything you haven’t used in at least two years that isn’t sentimental. If everything is sentimental (you know who you are), put items you aren’t sure about releasing in a box marked “Declutter Christmas 2015.” If you don’t miss it by next year’s decorating season, bless someone else with it. You may want to take pictures of these items to keep, rather than the items themselves.

This is also the time to recycle decorations that are broken or that need updating.

#2 Research ideas

Would you like to freshen up your decorations this year? Check out Pinterest for ideas. You’ll find everything from elaborate displays that would require Martha Stewart to employ dozens of artisans to simple ways of using what you already own. Let the kids help you as their opinion matters the most, doesn’t it? I’ve pinned some great ideas for you to check out on the Organized Homeschool board.

#3 Shop for pre-made decorations and craft supplies

Yes, the stores are stocked with everything you need for Christmas decorations. Would you have been better off buying everything at the end of the season last year? Maybe. You can save money, but the stores were also packed with people with the same idea. If you shop now, you’ll have a great selection and you won’t have to fight the crowds. If you choose to wait to shop until post-season, block off time for this on your calendar now.

If you want to make some Christmas decorations with the kids (if you’re like me, there’s a part of you that doesn’t want to, but you’ll be glad later that you did), now is the time to gather what you need. I get really frustrated when the supplies I need are sold out. Don’t let this happen to you! The good news is that many of these supplies are on sale now. Check the paper or your favorite store’s website or app for coupons.

#4 Make homemade decorations

If you’d rather wait until after Thanksgiving to make Christmas crafts, please do. I just know that I have a tendency to think I’m too busy to make them and put off the whole process until next year. Whenever you make them, remember that glue washes off (usually), but memories last. Enjoy yourself and you’ll be ready whenever you choose to decorate.

Speaking of that, when do you normally decorate for Christmas? Leave me a comment below.

Follow Dr. Melanie Wilson @psychowith6’s board Organized Homeschool on Pinterest.

Here is the November printable Organized Homeschool calendar and a list of previous challenges:

Get organized with the November 2014 homeschool calendar.

Organized Homeschool Challenge

Week 1: Daily Devotions Challenge

Week 2: Daily Routine Challenge

Week 3: To-Do List Challenge

Week 4: Memory Keeping Challenge

Week 5: The Decluttering Challenge

Week 6: The Organized Computer Challenge

 Week 7: The Marriage of Your Dreams Challenge

Week 8: The Confident Parent Challenge

Week 9: The Extended Family Challenge

Week 10: The Bring on the Spring Challenge

Week 11: The Spring Cleaning Challenge

Week 12: The Organized Easter Challenge

Week 13: The Serve the Church Challenge

Week 14: The Chore Challenge

Week 15: The Organize Your Finances Challenge

Week 16: The Curriculum Challenge

Week 17: The Friendship Challenge

Week 18: The Family Celebrations Challenge

Week 19: The Organized Clothing Challenge

Week 20: The Organized Vacation Challenge

Week 21: The Organized Summer Challenge

Week 22: The Outdoor Activity Challenge

Week 23: The Used Curriculum Challenge

Week 24: The Homeschool Space Challenge

Week 25: The Goal Setting Challenge

Week 26: The Homeschool Planning Challenge

Week 27: The Bible Time Challenge

Week 28: The Special Study Prep Challenge

Week 29: The Extra-Curricular Challenge

Week 30: The Core Curriculum Prep Challenge

Week 31: The Elective Curriculum Challenge

Week 32: The Back to School Challenge

Week 33: The Fall Bucket List Challenge

Week 34: The Organized Bedroom Challenge

Week 35: The Clean Out the Pantry Challenge

Week 36: The Meal Planning Challenge

Week 37: The Grocery Shopping Challenge

Week 38: The Organized Kitchen Challenge

Week 39: The Freezer Cooking Challenge

Week 40: The Hospitality Challenge

Week 41: The Blog or Business Challenge

Week 42: The Hobby Challenge

Week 43: The Charity Challenge

Week 44: The Thanksgiving Challenge

Week 45: The Christmas Plan Challenge