Organizing Your Purse for Christmas Shopping…

Did you know that on average a purse can weigh 10-12 lbs? Now keep in mind that is just as is, what about all the stuff we cram in it while we are shopping?

Christmas shopping is one of the most fun times of the year. Instead of hauling around the kitchen sink that is at the bottom of your purse. I would like to suggest a few easy options to make shopping a breeze and save some wear and tear on your back!

If I am going to do some major shopping I will take my big black purse. I swear I could but the kitchen sink in it and the refrigerator! I also use this purse when we go to football games or basketball games. It will easily hold a ball for the boys to play with, blanket, snacks and some gloves. I take my wallet from my “real” purse and I grab my lip gloss and my compact. I bring my bare essentials for the football game and leave enough room for the boys “stuff”.

As you are shopping take the bare essentials from your real purse or take out the extra things from your purse that you won’t need to go shopping. Don’t forget to stick an envelope or Ziploc bag in your purse to store all your gift receipts. If you have a quick moment at the store to label the receipt as to who the gift for, great but the most important thing is to have ALL your gift receipts in one spot.

Nothing is worse than searching high and low for the receipt that someone needs to exchange an item. If you haven’t noticed a lot of the retail stores are buckling down on their return policy. I remember when you could return a sweater with no receipt and receive your cash back!!! Now stores are a little more stricter with their return policy. Some stores even have a 30 day return only for cash and after 30 days it turns into a credit at their store.

Bottom-line, lighten up your purse while shopping, use it to hold small purchases while you are shopping so you don’t lose any gifts and put all your receipts in one spot (envelope or Ziploc bag). Keep it simple!!!

Have a great time shopping!!! By the way, I love the color purple and I wear size medium. I’m just sayin’!

Author Michelle Lehman of Organizing Solutions “Clear the Clutter” Michelle is a Professional Organizer in the Tulsa area. Her articles have been featured in the Tulsa World, The Oklahoman, Chicago Sun-Times and The Chicago Post-Tribune. Michelle appears on TheNewsOn 6 KOTV and Fox23 News This Morning giving organizing tips and recommendations.