How to Set Up Your First Sunday Basket®

Written By Ellen Gardebled

A Simple System to Organize Paper Clutter for Busy Moms

If your kitchen counter is buried in mail, school papers, coupons, and to-do lists, you’re not alone. Paper clutter builds up fast—especially for busy moms juggling schedules, bills, and all the moving pieces of family life.

That’s exactly why Lisa Woodruff created the Sunday Basket®. 

This simple weekly system helps you gather all your paper and to-dos into one place, so you can process it once a week and reclaim both your space and your peace of mind.

What Is a Sunday Basket®?

The Sunday Basket® is more than just a place to store paper—it’s a weekly habit that helps you manage the mental load of running a household.

By collecting all your loose papers, reminders, and incoming tasks in one basket, you give yourself a holding space until you can process everything at a designated time. That means no more last-minute scrambles, lost forms, or forgotten appointments.

It’s a system that works with your life, not against it.

Let’s walk through exactly how to set up your first Sunday Basket®!

Step 1: Gather Your Supplies

You don’t need anything fancy to get started. Most people begin with a DIY version and upgrade later (more on that in a minute). Here’s what you’ll want:

  • A sturdy open-top basket or tote

  • 5 colored binder dividers (these will be what Lisa calls your slash pockets)

  • Sticky notes or index cards

  • A pen or marker

  • A notepad or planner

You can absolutely use what you have at home for now. But, if you find yourself loving the system and want to stick with it long-term, most people eventually invest in the official Sunday Basket® System, which includes:

  • A high-quality basket

  • Full set of 20 slash pockets

  • Color-coded system

  • Weekly planning printables

  • Training videos by Lisa Woodruff to guide you step-by-step

  • Live, weekly, co- working sessions that are recorded so you can watch replays if you can’t join live 

👉 Grab it HERE

Step 2: Collect All the Paper

Walk through your house and grab every piece of loose paper. Yes—all of it. This includes:

  • Mail and unopened envelopes

  • School forms

  • Appointment cards

  • Coupons

  • To-do lists

  • Receipts

  • Sticky notes

  • Notes from your purse or car

Tip: Set a timer for 15 minutes and just start. You don’t need to do anything with what you gather yet—just gather it.


Step 3: Do a Brain Dump

This part is so freeing. Now that you’ve collected physical paper, it’s time to unload your mental clutter too.

Grab your notepad or index cards and jot down everything (on separate cards or paper) that’s floating around in your mind:

  • Calls you need to make

  • Errands you need to run

  • Things you’re waiting on

  • Tasks you keep putting off

  • Ideas you don’t want to forget

Put all these notes into your Sunday Basket®. This is your new command center.


Step 4: Sort into Slash Pockets

Once you’ve gathered and dumped, it’s time to organize. Use your colored slash pockets to sort into action-based categories, such as:

  • To Do This Week

  • Computer/Calendar

  • Errands

  • Bill Pay

  • Waiting For

This isn’t a filing system—it’s a working system. All of the contents in these slash pockets are ACTIONABLE, not Reference/Archive. These categories help you take action instead of letting paper pile up.


Step 5: Choose Your Weekly Review Time

Consistency is key. Set aside time once a week, ideally the same time every week (many moms choose Sunday afternoon or evening).

During your weekly review, you’ll:

  • Process each item in your basket

  • Pay bills or set reminders

  • Update your calendar or planner

  • Throw away what you no longer need

  • Delay tasks that are important, but not yet urgent 

  • Plan your week 

Plan for 60–90 minutes the first few weeks. As you get the hang of it, you’ll be able to move faster.

Step 6: Give Yourself Grace and Keep Going

You won’t do this perfectly—and that’s okay. This is a habit, not a chore. It’s supposed to grow and flex with your life.

Each week you show up to your Sunday Basket®, you’re creating:

  • Mental clarity

  • Household consistency

  • A rhythm of preparation and peace

You don’t have to do it all at once. Just start.

Thinking About Upgrading to the Official Sunday Basket®?

Once you get into the rhythm of using your DIY Sunday Basket®, you may start to feel ready for a more complete and polished system. That’s when most people decide to upgrade to the official Sunday Basket®.

It includes:

  • A structured basket that holds your slash pockets upright so they don’t get bent

  • Color-coded slash pockets

  • Access to exclusive training and printable worksheets

  • All the tools you need to stay consistent every week

If you’re ready to take your paper organization to the next level, check it out here:

👉 Purchase the official Sunday Basket® system HERE

Ready to Try It?

Setting up your first Sunday Basket® is one of the best ways to take control of the paper and mental clutter that builds up in everyday life.

To make it even easier, download my free Sunday Basket Routine Checklist—a printable guide you can keep in your basket as you get started.

👉 Sunday Basket Routine Checklist

Need help setting yours up? I offer in-home and virtual organizing sessions to walk you through it step-by-step. Learn more here: www.organizedliving.net

Peace, Love & Organizing!

Ellen Gardebled
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