Get Organized
The holidays are a hectic time of year, with all that baking, cooking, the parties to throw and the presents and décor on every available surface in your home. By the time New Year's Day rolls around, it can leave you feeling completely exhausted but it's also a great opportunity for a fresh start. We've pulled together the easiest and most efficient ways to clean up after the holidays. Get ready to say goodbye to the clutter and holiday décor and make room for the best year yet.
Smarter Storage
Lights are great, but storing them can be frustrating and you may be left with a giant string of tangled lights. A great trick to putting away those lights? Take an old paper towel or wrapping paper tube or flat piece of cardboard and wrap the lights around it. You've just saved yourself some hassle for next year!
Re-Evaluate Your Decor
Before putting everything into the garage, go through all of the decorations and throw out what you don't want or didn't use this year. Chances are if you didn't even take it out of the box this year, you will continue to skip over it in the years to come.
Categorize Items
Designate one storage bin for all of your ornaments or holiday wrapping, with a smaller container inside for the accessories (miscellaneous ribbons and bows, etc.). This is a great way to organize and keep all of the small things that end to get jumbled up and potentially squished safe from being ruined.
Invest in Storage Bins
This seems like a no-brainer, but it's a biggie. Instead of throwing all of the holiday décor willy-nilly in a corner of the garage, invest in uniform storage bins (maybe even color coordinated) to store all of your items safely and neatly until next year. Look for items that stack and have lids that open and close easily.
Label Everything
When you can, use labels (even if the boxes are clear)! This will make it easier when looking for specific items next year. Put all the non-tree holiday decor in one bin, and then slap a label on it that says "Christmas Decorations (Non-Tree)." Label the boxes of lights "Exterior Lights" and "Interior Lights" so you know which ones are for the tree and which ones go outside. Simply writing on the box with a permanent marker will work in a pinch!
Unwanted Gifts
If you didn't like something you received or simply will not use it, don't feel bad about returning it to the store or donating it! It truly is the thought that counts, so don't let the idea of getting rid of something make you feel bad. Plus, any unused gifts are just going to sit there cluttering up your house. Just remember to send a thank-you card.
Donate Unwanted Items
In with the new, out with the old! If you received any new items this year, time to donate (or toss) the old ones! This is a great way to declutter while updating your inventory. If the kids got new pajamas, get rid of the old, ratty ones. If you got a new frying pan, donate the old one.
Christmas Card Cache
Before you toss your Christmas cards, make a list of all of the people who sent you cards to update your recipients for next year. Before tossing them into the recycle bin, see if you can cut them up and use as gift tags or for kid's projects during the year.
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Tidy Up
Now that the guests have left and the holiday parties are over, it's time to do some serious cleaning from top to bottom. Vacuum the carpet, dust the furniture, clean the mirrors and windows, sweep the floors and get your house all squeaky-clean for you to enjoy during the slow month of January.
