Do You Have Monsters Under Your Bed?

          Halloween is upon us.  It’s so much fun to pick out, or make costumes for our children.  We decorate our homes and watch spooky, or as in my house, not so spooky Halloween movies.

          But for some reason I think my children hear more creaks and strange noises from our old house this time of year than in other months.  So when my daughter thought she heard a noise under her bed I of course needed to oblige and checked for any strange monsters who may have decided to make it their home for Halloween.

          And to my surprise I think there has been one living under her bed.  This one loves scraps of paper, old drawings (the ones I thought I secretly put in the recycling bin), a rock collection, old dress up princess gloves, twelve silly bands, three plastic rings, a few other little collections and one missing snuggle doggie.

          Though I don’t think any of these things have been searched for at least in the last few weeks, she cannot bear to part with any of them.  So after a little debate we decided on a compromise.  We would place a small basket under her bed.  This would be the catch all basket.  Instead of these items getting dropped on the floor at the end of the day and then ultimately “accidently” swept under or scooped under the bed from our little bed monster, she would place them in the basket.  I felt once the basket filled up I could reach in the bottom for the older items that never got used and quietly discard them.

          For the old princess gloves, I searched for the matching costume and proceeded to collect last year’s costumes for the rest of the family.  They don’t fit this year, so it’s time to pass down to nieces and nephews or donate.   Another option that I highly recommend when it comes to costumes that have little wear on them is to consign them.  Consignment shops love getting them, usually in mid-late September, but will usually take them throughout October if they are short on a good selection, and you may make a few dollars.

For now the creaking sounds in my home have quieted; I think it’s time to enjoy a monster marathon on TV.  But maybe first I should take one look inside their closets for any monsters that may be hiding in there.

Kristin Gallant is a Professional Organizer working with individuals and families and small businesses creating organized spaces in their homes and offices. She also works with seniors who are downsizing.  For more information please visit www.livingorganizedhealthy.com or email kristin.gallant@livingorganizedhealthy.com.