Holiday Organizing Tricks

How to store your ornaments, organize your holiday shopping, and more.

Clever Holiday Tricks

Gift Ribbon Storage Solutions
Two ribbon-organizing methods―one store-bought, one homespun.

12 Clever Holiday Tips and Ideas
On the 12th day of Christmas, Real Simple gave to me…12 ideas for an easier holiday.

Etiquette Questions, Answered: Entertaining and Guests
Real Simple's Modern Manners columnist helps you avoid committing an entertaining faux pas.

13 Organizing Solutions for Conquering Clutter

Simple strategies for containing the uncontainable.

Photo: Photo: Nicole Gerulat; Styling: Alexis Givens

How to Ship Gifts of All Shapes and Sizes

To send nearly anything (yes, even a life-size stuffed animal) follow this advice.

Photo: Annie Schlechter

The Twelve Lists of Christmas

Good advice to get you humming through December’s festivities.

Photo: Lucas Allen

8 Ways to Store Holiday Decorations

Clever products to help keep your trimmings tidy until next year.

Photo: containerstore.com

Holiday Organizing 101

Holiday Tips and Tools

Holiday Gift Wrap Problem-Solvers
Real Simple’s mission, through its 12 years, has been to simplify your life with smart finds like these gift wrapping supplies.

Christmas Countdown Checklist

Minimize seasonal stress by keeping track of your to-dos.

Make a family plan. Are you heading to your in-laws’ house? Hosting everyone at yours? Sit down with family members and decide where you’ll be spending the holidays.
Buy plane tickets. If you’ll be flying somewhere, get your plane tickets as soon as possible.
Put activities on a calendar. As you find out when parties and school pageants are scheduled, write them on a master calendar. Keep it next to the phone, so if someone calls to ask if you’re free for an event, you’ll know the answer immediately.

View The Entire Checklist