Brr! It's COLD outside! Time to get your winter gear organized!

Has the seasonal change from cool to frigid got you tripping over boots, fretting over lost mittens or searching for dry snowpants? A change in your organization may be all that's in order. Try these tips to make get your winter gear in order.

• First and foremost, make sure all clothes and gear in your entryway, mudroom or garage is “seasonal.” If you’re trying to move around the sprinklers, pool toys or lawn chairs to get to the sleds and skates, some garage re-organization is in order. Divide items according to warm and cold seasons and place out-of-season stuff out of the way, such as in the garage rafters. (You won’t forget it there since you’ll be making another switcharoo in June.)
• Make sure you have a dedicated area in your mudroom or entryway for removing shoes/boots (a bench helps) and hanging up coats, etc. Make it a habit to routinely (daily!) “edit” this space in your house to ensure it doesn’t become a clutter zone or safety hazard. 
• A plastic boot tray (available at most discount stores) does wonders at holding boots and shoes and keeping floors clean and dry.
• Establish a limit for how many coats and shoes each family member has in the mudroom, entry way or other central zone. This number will depend on the age of the kids (and their activities), number of family members and obviously, space in the mudroom (entry way, etc.) Keep the remaining clothes separate – in an entry closet, bedroom closet, garage – where it’s accessible as needed. (Think frequency of use: a snowmobile suit can be in a closet; down coats stay out only when it’s freezing.)
• Hooks make it easier for kids to hang their coats. Labeled baskets or bins can hold mittens, hats and scarves. Keep all hooks and baskets at kid level, so they’re in charge of their gear.
• If kids resist putting away their own gear, re-train them with rewards or removed privileges. Make it a part of the routine, which every family member takes part in.
• Keep it simple with color-coding… especially if you have kids who are close in age or size. Let each child pick a color for their hat, mittens and scarf and use it consistently for that child only.  Better yet, when buying one pair of mittens, buy a duplicate pair, and store it elsewhere (parent’s closet) so that a lost left hand mitten can be replaced without a trip to the store.
• Hockey gear and other wet items can get smelly and gross if they don’t dry out properly. So, create an open shelving system for skates, pads and helmets. Large trash cans are great for holding hockey sticks. Bike pulleys hold sleds with ease.
• Make note of which gear is no longer needed or which coats and skates are outgrown. If your family isn’t using them, there’s somebody who can. Pass it on to a friend, neighbor or relative, or donate it to your favorite charity. Or, make some money by selling them to a used sporting goods store, consignment shop or sell it on Craigslist.com or eBay. 

Comments

[Brochure Printing]

These are really great tips. Everyone should be prepared for the coldest season of the year. Happy Holidays!

- Dylan