Organized Christmas

Every parent knows the story: jigsaw puzzles are fun to work, but tough to work around. What's the solution to tying up table tops or floor space with a puzzle in progress?

Its a Puzzler! This one-seam easy-sew puzzle mat allows puzzles to be worked at will, then rolled up and stowed away between play sessions. It's crafted from a short length of craft felt and a recycled gift wrap roller.

Make them in multiples for the holidays. The Puzzler puzzle mat is perfect for teacher gifts. Paired with a new puzzle, the Puzzler makes a special family gift.

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It's a pretty place for photos, cards and mementos: a French memory board! If you can sew a button and wield a stapler, you can make it.

Begin with a stretched artist's canvas, add batting, cover with cotton fabric, then criss-cross with ribbons. Novelty buttons secure ribbons to the memo board's canvas and add a bright touch. Light, pretty and oh, so easy!

To make your gift special, select fabric, ribbons and buttons to create a personalized memory board. Choose a child's favorite cartoon character and add bright ribbons. Carry out a sister's decorating scheme with coordinating fabrics and buttons. Give your favorite sports fan a place to display ticket stub and programs, done up in fabric displaying team logos.

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Welcome to the Rudolph Club: your once-a-month meeting to simplify your holidays and get organized for Christmas!

At OrganizedChristmas.Com, we know that the holiday season can be fast and furious. Solution? Take a day once each month throughout the year to plan and prepare for a more-organized holiday season.

On the 25th of each month, we'll bring simple assignments and easy tips to try now for a simpler, more joyous season. Over the year, you'll tackle planning and preparations to make the season lighter, brighter and less stressful come December.

Click the read more link below to get organized for the holiday season:

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Independence Day will be celebrated in America on July 4th. Let your flag fly high!

Brush up on flag etiquette for the Fourth of July with these guidelines for displaying the American Flag.

An illustrated guide from the U.S. Department of Veteran's Affairs:

Guidelines for Display of the Flag

Beat summer's heat with this sew-simple craft project: a cool tie!

This bright cotton neckerchief has a summer secret: a filling of water-absorbing polymer granules from the garden center.

Soaked in water, the cool tie's polymer granules absorb more than 200% their weight in water. Tied around the neck or worn as a headband, a cool tie provides all-day cool relief through evaporation.

The cool tie is simple to sew, requiring only a straight-stitch sewing machine. It makes a great gift for gardeners! Our printable Cool Tie gift tag makes the gift fun.

New! Print the Cool Tie gift tag in .PDF format.

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The Web site elves at Organized Christmas have begun to stir. Site updates ahead!

In the days to come, we'll be spiffing up our Web site to prepare for the coming holiday season. As we have since 1998, we'll be bringing you the Web's best holiday get-organized plans, Christmas planner forms, gifts, crafts and traditions.

Don't be alarmed if the site has a few loose ends during this process. We promise: we'll have it all spiffed up and shiny by Christmas in July!

Thanks for your patience!

--The OC Web site Elves

Three cheers for the red, white and blue ... brownies in a jar!

Looking for a quick summer gift with an Independence Day theme? Try this recipe for Red, White and Blue Brownies In A Jar.

An easy-to-make holiday or hostess gift from Ball, you'll be the hit of the July 4th celebration with this sweet treat:

Red, White and Blue Brownies In A Jar
(In .pdf format; you'll need Adobe Reader to view file)

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It's a sure-fire hit for your family's Independence Day celebration: a simple snack mix favor to remind us of our nation's blessings.

Bagged in favor-sized gift bags and decorated with a patriotic poem, American Blessings Mix is a festive touch to July 4th celebrations.

We make it easy with free printable gift tags. New! Print this Blessing Mix gift tag in .PDF format.

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A favorite hot-weather sweet sparks a great gift in a jar: Orange Dreamsicle Cookies!

Taking the name--and flavors--of a cool summer treat, Orange Dreamsicle Cookies are punched up with vanilla baking chips and a burst of citrus.

Layered and decorated with a pretty gift tag, Orange Dreamsicle Cookies In A Jar are perfect "just-because" gift or gift basket item.

We make it easy with a free printable gift tag. New! Print this gift in a jar gift tag in .PDF format.

Click the read more link below:

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Welcome to the Rudolph Club: your once-a-month meeting to simplify your holidays and get organized for Christmas!

At OrganizedChristmas.Com, we know that the holiday season can be fast and furious. Solution? Take a day once each month throughout the year to plan and prepare for a more-organized holiday season.

On the 25th of each month, we'll bring simple assignments and easy tips to try now for a simpler, more joyous season. Over the year, you'll tackle planning and preparations to make the season lighter, brighter and less stressful come December.

Click the read more link below to get organized for the holiday season:

read more

On September 14, 2001, I sat down at my desk with a heavy heart. My task: to write the month's lead article for the newsletter I published at that time at OrganizedHome.Com.

But just three days after the collapse of the Twin Towers, it was impossible to think about cleaning closets or decluttering the pantry.

I started to write, anyway--and this piece was the result, two hours later. It was the cry of my heart as the mother of a United States Marine, a son who had been called to alert in response to the attacks on our country.

A reader suggested I share it here, on this day, to remind us all that Memorial Day has a meaning beyond the barbeques and the beach.

Here it is, right down to the old-style format of our site on that day. Enjoy--and remember:

My Child, My Home, My Country: A Marine Mom Speaks

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Welcome to the Rudolph Club: your once-a-month meeting to simplify your holidays and get organized for Christmas!

At OrganizedChristmas.Com, we know that the holiday season can be fast and furious. Solution? Take a day once each month throughout the year to plan and prepare for a more-organized holiday season.

On the 25th of each month, we'll bring simple assignments and easy tips to try now for a simpler, more joyous season. Over the year, you'll tackle planning and preparations to make the season lighter, brighter and less stressful come December.

Click the read more link below to get organized for the holiday season:

read more

What's round and sweet and hangs on the wall to welcome Easter guests? This pretty Easter wreath craft from Hersheys.com!

Using bright foil-wrapped chocolate eggs, a styrofoam ring and a glue gun, create this Easter decoration in record time.

Make An Easter Wreath

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Welcome to the Rudolph Club: your once-a-month meeting to simplify your holidays and get organized for Christmas!

At OrganizedChristmas.Com, we know that the holiday season can be fast and furious. Solution? Take a day once each month throughout the year to plan and prepare for a more-organized holiday season.

On the 25th of each month, we'll bring simple assignments and easy tips to try now for a simpler, more joyous season. Over the year, you'll tackle planning and preparations to make the season lighter, brighter and less stressful come December.

Click the read more link below to get organized for the holiday season:

read more