The season is over, for better or worse; time to think ahead to next year. What lessons would you like to share with your future self?

Using the worksheet below, take a few moments now to ponder what worked, what didn't. Called "debriefing", this exercise will remind you next year of all the things you know right now. It'll guide you toward an even more organized holiday season next year.

Holiday Debriefing Worksheet

All good times must end; it's time to wrap up the Houseworks Holiday Plan and move into an organized New Year.

Tying up the season's loose ends, we'll make New Year's resolutions, remove and store holiday decor, and set the stage for next year's celebration.

See you next year!

New Year's Week Assignments

Are you happy with this year's holiday decorations? Quick! Before you pack 'em away, grab a camera and snap quick photos of each room's decorations.

Together with a free printable room-by-room decor planner, photos will help smooth holiday decorating next season. Add both to your Christmas notebook.

Next year, you'll know what goes where--because when it comes to holiday decorating, a picture is worth a thousand words!

Holiday Decor Planner

It's taken center stage for the family celebration, but now it's tired and ready to rest. What to do with the Christmas tree after the holidays?

Answer: treecycling! Eco-conscious communities provide ways to recycle Christmas trees at season's end.

To find treecycling locations in your area, visit this Web page from Earth911.com. Don't miss the "treecycling reminder" ornament! It's a free printable ornament to hang on the tree and remind you to give a gift to Mother Earth:

Treecycling

Give your children the gift of good manners: instruct them in the art of writing thank-you notes.

A good note is personal, specific and warm. Remind children to address the giver by name, mention the gift, and share how they'll use or enjoy it.

Better still, hold a family thank-you note session. Writing notes together teaches youngsters that gratitude is as much a part of the season as the gifts themselves.

Every year at this time, the e-mails tell the story: "I wish I'd found this site earlier!" Faced with the reality of Christmas chaos, many folks are looking for a better way. Stumbling over our site, they see that it's possible to be organized--and joyous--during the holidays.

The secret to a stress-free season? Plan ahead!

Then try these five tips to get ready for next Christmas:

May the blessings of the season fall abundantly on you, your family, friends and community.

Merry Christmas from all of us at OrganizedChristmas.com!

The celebration is in full swing? Quick ... while the moment is fresh: write down the year's holiday memories.

A Christmas journal will bring the moments to mind long after the New Year.

We make it easy, with a printable holiday memories journal page:

Holiday Memories Journal

It's every mother's Christmas morning list: a record of gifts received, to be used for the next day's thank-you note session.

If you're a Microsoft Word user (Word 97 or later), check out this free printable:

Free Printable Gifts Received Tracker Form

Are the little ones eager to send the year's wish list to Santa? Create a memorable Santa letter--and print it, too--with this online Santa letter generator from Scott products.

Choose from one of three colorful templates, then personalize the letter with your child's name, age and favorite reindeer. If you're comfortable sharing an e-mail address, Santa will send a message back to your child!

Print A Letter To Santa