We did it all - ALL - yesterday!
Well, apart from not taking off DDs sheets to wash, and missing 2 small towels with those.
We came in from our first ever skiing lesson, grabbed the empty boxes I had in the storage unit en route home, and had lunch. As I grabbed the main boxes in the attic, I took down the window clings and wall decorations in DDs room. Then we all tackled the tree so it was reasonably quick, and I put it all away. I have 2 dedicated boxes to hold decorations in little slots, so all e baubles and most of the individual decorations go in there, especially anything delicate that doesn't have its own box. There are a few heirloom ones in their own boxes, and those go with the tinsel and nutcrackers in a large plastic tub (the cardboard box is retired from this season). Then I have a second plastic tub for the stand, all the lights and snow globes, and the box for Christmas Eve hamper is in there too including our copy of "Twas the night before Christmas".
I have 3 more tubs, one for all my crockery (a good mixed handful of mugs, 2 plastic cups that DD still uses, and a dinner and side plastic plate too for her, a beautiful glass plate for serving cookies etc, a 3-bowl dip tray, a tiny cream jug covered in holly, and the remains of my seasonal paper cups, bowls, napkins and a table cloth). I also have 3 sets for serving nibbles at parties that we didn't need this year. The second ha my towels (mostly hand towels for the kitchen, and 2 tea towels, but 1 guest set, 1 hand towel large enough for guest WC, and a poinsettia set of doilies for the guest bedroom locker). The other is the one I put the Dec 1st things into. So DDs fleece blanket, advent calendar, all the books, DVDs, CDs etc, and her plastic mug.
I have a smaller tub that I put all the bits for flower arranging and wreath making, in the hopes I will have time for creativity. But all easy to get out again and kept together.
I want to move 2 nice mugs for us to the Dec 1 box, and need to put DDs seasonal sheets in there too if they'll fit.
While I continued filling tubs, DH brought DD to recycle the tree and wreath. And later, we moved all the boxes to the storage unit yesterday evening, and the idea is that I can grab the things I need early in 1 swoop, and can easily get the rest of christmas in another trip when we are ready for it. Ran to the supermarket to restock the sadly depleted cupboards, and had pur last Christmas meal - Stilton and ham potato gratin. It is one that we do once every Christmas to use up (or buy in fresh to make) Stilton, ham, thyme and Turkey stock, so it is quite special for dh and I.
