The holidays are a magical time, especially if you have young children. But the post-holiday cleanup? Not so much. Suddenly those festive decorations feel like nothing but a chore, and those gifts under the tree are now just clutter on your living room floor.
One thing is clear: it’s time for a post-holiday purge. But where to start? And how to decide what to purge and what to keep?
Here are three simple guidelines to help.
Start With the Decorations
Now is the time to undertake a ruthless purge of your holiday decorations. Start by figuring out what to do with your real Christmas tree, and then carefully consider everything else. Are your mantels and bookshelves swimming in so many holiday cards that you can’t see them? Are quaint Santa and Rudolph-themed knick-knacks taking over your home? Decide what you really want to pack away to use next year, and get rid of the rest.
Donate Old Toys To Charity
Get your children into the habit of choosing toys to donate to charity when they’re still young. You’ll find that children get very excited at the idea of donating toys to children who are less fortunate, and this gives them a sense of ownership in the process.
Keep in mind that you may be surprised at what your children opt to donate. They don’t have as much regard for sentiment and expense as you do. However, it’s important to honor their decision if you want this habit to continue.
Go One Category At a Time
Attacking an entire houseful of clutter all at once is understandably so overwhelming that you may never start at all.
So instead, take on one thing at a time. You might start with one room. Or, if even that is too much, start with one closet or cupboard and tackle a little at a time.
If you need help with your post-holiday purge, reach out to JunkCo in Albuquerque. We will gladly assist you in taming that holiday clutter and reclaiming the space in your home.