It’s your favorite time of the year…but let’s be honest, it’s probably one of the most stressful times, too. And one element of the stress is the massive mountain of stuff. Toys, decorations, old packages and boxes…all of it can make you feel more overwhelmed than joyful.
Here are three tips to tame post-holiday junk and clutter.
Donate Toys
When it comes to toys, a good rule to follow is “get one, get rid of two.” That means for each new toy that comes into your home, two old toys make an exit. Be honest with yourself about how many old toys are cluttering up your home. Do your kids really use them all? If not, consider selling them online to earn some extra cash or donating them to a charity which provides help to needy children.
Get Rid of Stuff
According to a Stanford research study, Americans throw out 25% more trash between Thanksgiving and New Year’s than at any other time of the year. The holiday season is a time when we acquire lots of “stuff,” some of which ends up in landfills. Reach out to your local recycling facility to find out how best to dispose of things like old Christmas lights, used wrapping paper, and even your Christmas tree. Consider filling all those cardboard boxes dropped off by Amazon with items to donate.
Cut Down On Decorations
Putting up all those beautiful decorations brings you joy; but what about taking them down again? Go through your decorations and determine which ones are most meaningful for you. The others are just gathering dust and occupying space in your attic, so it may be time to discard them. Bonus: getting rid of your old decorations frees up space for new ones in the future.
Don’t forget to reach out to JunkCo in Albuquerque for help in reducing that holiday clutter and freeing you to embrace the joy of the season.