🌟 A Note from OM newsletter
Where family life meets gentle rhythms and everyday beauty.
As the air turns crisp and daylight shortens, our homes naturally become our sanctuaries again. It's the perfect moment to slow down, clear space, and create warmth in both our surroundings and our hearts.
This season, let's focus on organizing with intention, not perfection. We'll make small, meaningful changes that help our families move gently through the months ahead.
🧺 1. Summer Wardrobe Storage Tips
Before winter coats and cozy sweaters take over, it's time to pack away summer gracefully.
Clean Before You Store
Wash or dry clean all summer clothing before storing. Even faint traces of sunscreen or body oils can discolor fabric over time. A mild detergent with a touch of baking soda helps remove residue and freshen light cottons and linens.
Fold with Care
Roll lightweight tees and shorts instead of stacking them. This minimizes creasing and saves drawer space. For delicate fabrics, place tissue paper between folds to prevent friction.
Keep It Fresh
Slip a lavender sachet or cedar block into storage bins to maintain a clean scent and deter moths. Avoid sealed plastic bags that trap moisture. Use breathable cotton bags or clear boxes with ventilation holes instead.
Space-Saving Tip
Store off-season clothes in under-bed boxes or high closet shelves. Label them clearly by category: Swimwear, Vacation, or Summer Dresses. When the next warm season arrives, you'll feel thankful for this preparation.
🍽️ 2. Holiday Entertaining: Dish & Serveware Organization
Soon your kitchen will become the heart of celebration, from Thanksgiving pies to New Year's toasts. Let's prepare it so hosting feels joyful, not stressful.
Start with a Clear Canvas
Before pulling out your favorite holiday platters, take stock. Donate or recycle chipped, mismatched, or unused serveware. This small declutter brings visual calm and leaves room for what truly brings joy to your table.
Zone Your Kitchen
Create three simple zones:
Daily Use Zone: everyday plates, cups, and utensils
Hosting Zone: special dishes, platters, and glassware stored together for easy access
Baking & Prep Zone: mixing bowls, measuring tools, and baking sheets near the oven
☆A thoughtful rearrangement now can save you hours once the season begins.☆
Smart Storage Solutions
Stack trays vertically in a file organizer or use a tension rod divider in cabinets for baking sheets. Keep delicate glassware on middle shelves where it's easy to reach but away from little hands.
Quick Refresh Before Guests Arrive
Run all stored items through a light rinse cycle a few days before use. Mist table linens lightly and tumble them in the dryer for five minutes to smooth wrinkles.
Declutter Before Decorating
Holiday décor shines best in uncluttered spaces. Let go of older table runners or excess mugs. Keep only what adds meaning, not noise. A calm kitchen makes for a joyful gathering.
Snack cup, Pickcup
One cup for your child's snacks, your trail mix, and bites on the go. 🌿
At the table, in the car, or in your bag, it fits effortlessly into every part of your day.
True practicality isn't about having more. It's about needing less and living lighter.
Because when your space feels calm, your day flows differently.
📚 3. Year-End Book Organization for Young Children (Ages 4–6)
For our little readers, the end of the year offers a beautiful chance to look back and look forward.
Organize by Memory and Mood
Sit with your child and sort books into three gentle categories:
Favorites we'll read againBooks to pass on or donateStories we've outgrown but love to remember
This process helps children reflect, a valuable step in understanding growth and change.
Teach Time Concepts Through Books
As the year closes and a new one begins, help children physically and emotionally feel the passage of time through stories that make the abstract tangible.
Books like A Second, a Minute, a Week with Days in It: A Book about Time, The Journey Through Time, and A Second Is a Hiccup: A Child's Book of Time gently introduce the rhythms of time in ways young hearts can understand.
Create a Cozy Winter Nook
Add soft lighting, a warm blanket, and a small basket of seasonal reads: stories about snow, family, kindness, or bedtime magic. A few thoughtfully chosen books can make reading time feel like a cherished winter ritual.
Rotate to Renew Interest
Store extra books in clear bins labeled Spring Reads, Summer Adventures, or Holiday Tales. Each rotation will feel like discovering a new library at home.
Involve Them
Let your child decorate labels or place stickers on their bins. This small act of ownership builds both excitement and responsibility.
🗓️ Gentle Planning Notes
As we move deeper into the colder months, let's prepare both home and heart with intention and softness.
☐ Light one candle while organizing to let scent and sound anchor your calm.
☐ Focus on one drawer, one shelf, or one small corner at a time. Progress matters more than perfection.
☐ Play your child's favorite playlist while folding laundry. It turns chores into connection.
☐ When decluttering, pause and share gratitude for what each item brought to your family.
✔️Remember, a tidy home is not the goal. A peaceful rhythm is.
Wishing you warmth, clarity, and comfort as you welcome the new season.
Here's to fresh beginnings and cozy endings. May your home be a place that breathes with the rhythm of your family's love.
🕯️ With care, Ordinary Mom
