On Sunday, I had the task of putting up all of my Christmas decorations.

Most people don’t like this task.

Some people view it as a chore.

Some people hate to see the end of the season.

I, however, look forward to it for the somewhat odd reason that it means I get to reorganize.

I love reorganizing shelves, closets, desks or anything, really. It’s been one of my favorite pastimes since I was a kid.

I have no idea where it comes from, and I’m sure some psychoanalyst would chalk it up to some irrational need to control everything in my immediate environment. But last weekend as I was rearranging the boxes in my attic to make room for the Christmas tree, I was in my own little heaven.

Then, once you get started on one project, you see the potential for 20 other new projects to start from there.

Even though I got a handful of odd-end organizing things done Sunday, I was sucked back in to the arranging mindset while surfing the web yesterday.

Msn.com has listed the following tips for maximizing closet space – an idea that strikes a powerful chord with almost every woman I know – and for keeping closets organized:

4First thing’s first: Go through your coats, clothes, and shoes to weed out things you don’t wear anymore. You know the drill: If you haven’t worn it in more than a year, or if it doesn’t fit you anymore, it goes. Separate the items into boxes to give away to charity, recycle or toss.

4If they aren’t there already, install shelves above your existing closet rod. This is the perfect place to keep shoes (use plastic shoe boxes — they stack neatly and keep shoes nicer, longer).

4Use all the space available to you. Install a second closet rod. If you don’t want to go permanent (after all, so many of us live in apartments that we don’t own), use a tension rod. Install the second rod halfway between the floor of your closet and the existing closet rod. Hang skirts and pants there. Longer items (dresses, cardigans) stay on top. 


4If your closet is big enough, stash a small plastic or wooden set of drawers in there. In the drawers, keep accessories, socks, or other miscellany like gift wrap and bows, or sewing needles and thread.

4Use multiple-tiered hangers to hang twice as much in the same space.

So, while I had originally intended to go out with friends this weekend, I’m pretty sure there will is a certain bedroom closet that has some of these tips headed its way instead.