Hello, festive friends! I hope your holiday season was filled with joy, laughter, and fun. Now that the wrapping paper has settled, the last cookie crumbs have been swept away, and the echoes of holiday tunes are fading, it's time to tackle the post-holiday cleanup. Whether you relish in the process or find it a bit daunting, I’ve got a friendly guide to help you navigate through the aftermath of the festivities.
1. Find a Home for Everything
Unpack those delightful gifts and find a home for each one. If you’re replacing an item, consider donating the old one rather than saving it for a “just in case” moment.
2. Break Down Boxes and Take Out the Trash
Conquer the mountain of cardboard and packaging materials. Break down boxes, recycle what you can, and take out the trash. It's a small step that makes a big difference in clearing the post-holiday clutter.
3. Set a Date to Take Down the Tree
Give your tree the farewell it deserves. Set a date to take it down, and as you do, relish in the memories each ornament holds. Consider playing some cheerful tunes to make the task more enjoyable.
4. Wrap Christmas Lights with Care
Avoid the frustration of tangled lights next year. When wrapping Christmas lights, make sure the roll ends with the prong end on the outside. No roll? No problem! Use rectangles of cardboard from those empty boxes lying around.
5. Ornaments: To Box or Not to Box?
Decide whether to keep ornaments in their original boxes, a dedicated ornament bin, or a generic box. Pro tip: if you need to put a few ornaments in a box to keep them safe, then write the ornaments’ names directly on the box. This way you are not guessing at which box it goes in when you put it away next year.
6. Declutter and Make Space
Take a moment to declutter. Identify ornaments that consistently hide at the back of the tree—do they spark joy? Assess decorations that didn't make it out this year. Making space now helps accommodate the new additions next holiday season.
7. Make a Shopping List
Jot down items you ran out of during the holiday rush—paper, tags, tissue, cards, and more. Keep the list at the top of your wrapping paper bin for easy access when preparing for next year. Or, consider taking advantage of post-holiday sales to restock now.
8. Keep Track of Holiday Cards
Maintain a list of the holiday cards you received. This handy record helps you remember who to reciprocate the gesture to next year. But, don’t let those holiday cards linger indefinitely. Set a date to bid them farewell. If you’re sentimental, pick a specific number to keep (say, your top 5) and create a designated space to preserve them.
9. Donate Unwanted Gifts
Remember those backup gifts you didn’t get to give? Now's the perfect time to donate them. And if you received gifts that don't quite align with your taste, don't hesitate—donate them. It's your gift, your decision.
10. Give Your House a Good Clean
Lastly, treat your home to a post-holiday spa day. Dust off the tinsel remnants, vacuum up the glitter, and enjoy the fresh start the new year brings. A clean space is a happy space!
As you wrap up the holiday season embrace the opportunity to declutter, donate, and start the new year with a clean slate. Cheers to a fantastic year ahead!