31 Days to #ASimplerJoy: Shop Your Own Stuff

Not long ago I decided that I needed to reorganize the decorating stuff.  I love ushering in the new seasons with little changes around the house.  When my Gracie girl was little, she begged me to buy seasonal decorations more than once, but money was very tight.  She wanted us to change our home decor with the seasons and I didn’t see how we could.  But over time, buying some each year, now we have plenty of choices.  We both love it!

I heard a speaker at The Declare Conference talk about the value of “shopping your own stuff” to create a centerpiece for your table.  That phrase stuck with me.  If that is true for your centerpieces, what about the other stuff?  How economical!  Instead of buying new items each time you decorate, try instead to “shop your own stuff” first.  I always try to do this, but it ends up being such a drag.  I knew that being more organized would help me with this way of operating. Are you like me?

Here are the signs that show you need to re-order your supplies:

• You have to take everything out in order to see the stuff you have.
• You decide that buying new stuff might be easier than pulling out all of the contents of the closet.
• You buy something new that you already have, because you didn’t know it was hidden in storage!
• You put off decorating for a season (or don’t do it at all) because you don’t have time to make a mess getting everything out.
• You have to look in more than one closet, making little messes in multiple places, because you “know it is here somewhere…”

So, I have three places to store my decorating items.  Maybe I’d like it better all in one place, but this is what works best in this house.

Big Boxes in the Biggest Closet

My under the stair pantry has the big boxes for Christmas, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Easter decorations.  Also, garden flags.  It is too hot in Arizona to store these things in the attic or garage.

Frequently Used Items in an Accessible Area

My hall closet has candles and glassware and baskets.  I love how I can get a vase for flowers quickly and easily at any time.

In the non-decorating department, this closet also stores extra blankets to ward off the chill while watching TV, beach towels, and pool toys.

Adding Space by Adding Shelving

We bought this plastic shelving unit to tame the pillow collection in the spare bedroom closet.  It worked!  It wouldn’t hold heavier stuff very well, but it is the perfect size to fit in the closet sideways which is just what I wanted.  We got it at Lowe’s for less than $15.00!

Here it is filled up with pillows and pillow covers.  These had been in boxes, in two different closest, under suitcases and in big bags.  I use these on my neutral sofa and love seat to bring in the cheer of different seasons.  This closet also has some bigger containers and some dried flowers.

Just looking in my closets makes me smile.  I love knowing where everything is!! I think this will cut down on my shopping in stores when the seasons change because I can  be more intentional with my purchases.

For me, shopping my own stuff is #ASimplerJoy.  When I take good care of the blessings that God has given me, when I use our money wisely, when I make our home a haven…I am thankful for right where I am.  The Lord has shown me kindness and generosity.  I can show Him gratitude and good stewardship.

What about you?  Any closets you need to clean out?  Have you ever bought something you already had because you “lost” it in your house?  Name something you want to thank the Lord for, give Him a shout out in the comments!