The attic or basement is the perfect zone to work on in November. It’s not too hot or too cold and very likely your seasonal decorations are stored in this zone.
While you are up in the attic (or down in the basement), look around before you start. Make a list of all the categories you store in this zone. You might store:
Seasonal decorations
Seasonal house items like fans/heaters
Extra furniture and household accessories
Off season clothing
Suitcases
Archival papers
Sports Equipment
Toys to pass on to grandchildren.
Group all related items together and then designate zones for each category. Items that you do not plan to use in the next year or so should be stored the farthest from the entry. This might include the extra furniture, toys, and archival papers.
Leave space between each zone so that you can safely maneuver and get to items.
Label containers. It helps to locate holiday items if you use colored or themed containers to store your decorations, but still label the container with primary items. This keeps you from having to dig through multiple boxes to find the advent wreath or crèche you want early in the season.
While sorting, if you come across broken or unloved items that have been languishing in this area for years, now is the time to let them go. You will feel so much lighter when this is accomplished and next year, when this zone rolls around again, it will be a much easier task.
Jonda S. Beattie Professional Organizer