The gifts have all been passed out. The wrapping paper and boxes have been disposed of. The Christmas ham has been consumed, and tomorrow marks the first day of the post-holiday season.
Sometimes the morning after can be a bit of a letdown. I mean, we’ve just come off of four weeks of anticipation, excitement, eagerness and goodwill!
Rest assured there are a few things you can do to keep the holiday cheer going and set yourself (and your family) up for success in the new year.
Here are three things you and your family can do to purge and prepare.
#1. Declutter: There is nothing more uplifting than starting the new year with a clean slate. Take a day or two to go through each room of your house and pull out anything and everything that isn’t absolutely necessary or hasn’t been used in the last six months to a year. Place them in bins or the leftover boxes from your Christmas gifts for easy transport. Your cleared-out spaces will feel more open, and you might be surprised to notice that your anxiety level decreases!
#2. Donate: Find a local charity, church or less fortunate family to which you can donate all of the items you’ve removed. You can type a quick Google search or check your church bullet to find options on where to donate. You’ll experience the goodwill of helping others, AND your items will find a new home with people who can actually use them!
#3. Organize: Now that your space is cleared, organize based on the function of the space first and then aesthetics. For example, if your dining room table has just been a catch-all for junk mail, class projects, work and miscellaneous items, you might want to consider transitioning that space from a “dining” area to a home office or craft area. Knowing the purpose of the space will guide you in determining what organizational systems will work best for you.
Taking down and putting away all of the decorations you so loving pulled out and displayed this season can be a bit depressing. Take the opportunity to put a positive spin on this transition into the new year by doing a few things to purge, organize and donate.
I hope you find these tips helpful and that the new year brings you lots of peace, joy and prosperity!