Organizing Maps & Travel Brochures

Do you still keep paper maps and travel brochures? I have to admit that I do. I keep a few for sentimental reasons (Paris restaurants, Geneva map) but also keep selected maps and brochures from places that I plan to visit again.

During one of our many snow storms last month I was looking for something in the attic and found a box half-full of travel maps and brochures. I decided this would be a good blizzard organizing project. (I could also dream of warm summer vacations ahead…)

Here’s what I did:

• First I dumped all the brochures our on my dining room table. A few were sorted by place so I kept those together.
• I reviewed all the maps and brochures and recycled a good amount.
• Then I sorted what I wanted to keep by location.
• I was hoping to put the maps/brochures into a blue accordion file I had (see corner of photo) but there were too many for the file.
• Next I the thought of keeping everything together by rubber bands, but some piles were too large.
• Finally I decided to use one of my favorite organizing tools: gallon size plastic bags. Easy, and the bags had a spot for a label.
• All the bags were “filed” into a plastic bin back into the attic, waiting until the next trip is planned.

What’s great about this system is that for our next trip to VT, I just have to pull out the bag labeled VT and enjoy looking at all our favorite places.

AFTER: Organized into bags and ready to go!