It's fall, and the scarves and mittens have made their way back into our wardrobes.  Instead of having them scattered throughout your home, wouldn't it be nice to have a place for your kids to put these items upon returning home?!

Here's an idea to motivate your kids to keep their belongings in one place.  Create a fun receptacle for those gloves, mittens, scarves and hats out of a mailbox.  You can purchase a small flip-top mailbox for just a few dollars at your local hardware or home improvement store.

Have your kids decorate the mailbox with handprints in bright paint colors with their names written on their prints or with foam stickers, as we have done.  If those ideas don't appeal, they can decorate any way they choose.

Hang the mailbox at the most frequently used entry to your home.  This might be the garage, the laundry room, or even just inside the front door.  Upon returning home, your kids will be happy to deposit their items inside their special, personalized receptacle.  Not only is this a great place for those sometimes damp mittens (instead of your kitchen table), but now everyone knows where their stuff is on those hurried school mornings.

It might be a good idea to have one at the back and front doors!