After the round of Christmas parties and holiday visits, when the presents have been opened, the eggnog imbibed, and the snowman cookies eaten, it’s time to clean and organize your home. These seven tips for organizing your home after Christmas will give you a big head start on taking down the decorations and tackling the clutter in time to meet the New Year.
1. Sort The Gifts By Where They Go
Organize Christmas presents according to the room of the house where they belong. Make a pile of the ones that need to be returned, and tape the receipts to each of them. Save boxes from new items to use for decluttering projects. Keep any stuffing or padding for when you pack up your holiday decorations. If you have any unwanted gifts, store them for re-gifting or set them aside to give to charity.
2. Make Sure You Have Bins For Everything
Hit the Boxing Day sales to buy boxes with lids for storing lights and decorations. While you’re at it, check for burnt-out bulbs and buy replacements while they’re half-price. Throw out broken Christmas lights and unwanted decorations. If you have a vast collection of holiday trinkets and displays, consider downsizing. Sometimes quality is more important than quantity.
3. Make A Record For Next Year
Before you break everything down, take pictures of all your holiday decorations. That way, you’ll have an easier time of it next Christmas when you put them back up. Store decorations in a logical order, with the fireplace items in one box, kitchen decorations in another, etc. Get a permanent marker and on each box, write what’s inside – you’ll be glad you did it next year.
4. Use This Tip For Storing Light Strings
Whatever you do, don’t store your Christmas lights in a big, tangled ball! It’s much easier if you wind them around a sturdy piece of cardboard. Cut one-inch slits in each side every couple of inches, and that will give you a place to anchor the strands to keep them from slipping off. Check out this video for some other ways to store your lights.
5. Remember, ‘Tis The Season For De-Cluttering
Every time you make room for new things, decide what you can do without. Go through all of your belongings and choose what can be given to others or thrown away. Bring your gently used clothing and shoes to a charity thrift shop, along with any household items that are no longer needed.
6. Give Your Home A Good Cleaning For The New Year
Use the holiday time at home to straighten and declutter closets and shelves that have been needing it. This is also a good time to do those infrequent chores that keep your house fresh and tidy. While the bedsheets are washing, use the vacuum to get the dust bunnies from behind the headboard and under the bed. Wash all the throw blankets and shake out the rugs. While the floors are bare, sweep and mop under everything, not just the well-travelled areas.
7. Repurpose Your Holiday Greeting Cards
Collect all the Christmas cards and ensure you have the return addresses on file for next year’s Christmas card list. Then cut out all the colourful holiday pictures and save them to make unique gift tags next year. If you have enough of them, they can be put aside for Christmas crafts. The bright and cheery holiday scenes can be used to create delightful and unique ornaments or Christmas garlands next holiday season.
Packing up the Christmas decorations and dealing with all the new clothes, appliances and toys doesn’t have to be a big chore after the holidays. Start with these tips to keep you organized, and cleanup can go much smoother. You’ll be ready to relax and enjoy a clean and clutter-free January!
