If there is one thing you should know about me, something that I'm not particularly proud of, is my lack of organizational skills. I always have the best intentions but somehow, things manage to pile up and I become overwhelmed. There are times when I wish I could have the likes of Martha Stewart visit my home and reorganize everything for me. Her easy solutions for organization are creative and simply elegant. Since adding Martha Stewart to my Christmas wish list this year is slightly out of the question, I have the next best thing thanks to Staples Canada - Martha Stewart Home Office with Avery. 

This year, my daughter is in grade one and is therefore required to bring a lunch to school. While we have every intention to respect boomerang lunch efforts that are being made at school, it becomes increasingly difficult to continue those efforts at home when your daughter never brings home her reusable containers and water bottles. No, wait. I digress. She does bring them home. Eventually.

One of the handiest tips I could offer a parent of a school-ager is to stock up on personalized labels and use them. On everything. I have gotten into the habit of sticking labels onto new items as soon as I get home, whether they are water bottles, school supplies, or clothing. You see, my daughter has a tendency to leave things at school since she needs to rush at the end of the day to catch her bus. But having all of her belongings labeled is reassuring since I know they will make their way home sooner or later.