Post-Holiday Organizing from Candita Clayton

Hello Everyone!

Now that the craziness is over - the pies and cakes eaten, the eggnog drunk, and the presents unwrapped - it's time to return to some semblance of normalcy.

The problem for many people after the holidays is this: what to do with all the stuff? Likely you - and your spouse, and your kids - will have received many presents, and when your home is already filled to bursting with the stuff you already own, it can be hard to find homes for all the new acquisitions.

Here are some ways to cope with the overflow.

Kids

• When your child gets a new toy, try to make it a habit to dispose of an old toy they no longer use by donating it to a charity - or if it's very gently used, bringing it to a consignment shop. This way, there is always a finite number of toys in the toy box. Let even young children participate in choosing which toys to donate; they will love the idea of sharing their toys with needy children. This gives them a sense of personal responsibility as well, and prevents the 'why did you get rid of my favorite toy?' tantrum.
• Ask your children to help find homes for their new toys. Chances are, they'll want the newer toy within reach; some rearranging may be in order. Again, let even young children take part in the organizing process; they'll see it as a game.

Adults

• New clothing: If it's seasonally appropriate, it can go in your closet. If it’s not, store it with your off-season clothes; when you take it out come summer, it'll be like getting the gift all over again.
• Housewares: If you already own something similar, or if the gift is replacing an older item, donate or consign the older item to avoid the hassle of storing it. Household accessories and home décor do especially well in consignment shops. If the item is something you'll use infrequently, store it in a safe, easily accessible place until you need it.

When sorting through holiday gifts, always remember: if you don't like it, or if you won't use it, don't keep it! Re-gifting is not a mortal sin, so long as it's done discreetly. Or, you may have a friend who would love to take that unwanted item off your hands.

Holiday Items

Once the holidays are over, it's time to take down the tree and put away your holiday decorations. Instead of tossing everything in a box and hoping to find it unscathed come next December, follow these simple guidelines and stay organized.

• Sort your decorations by room and by type. All tree ornaments should be kept in a single place, as should strands of lights (separate indoor and outdoor), garlands and tinsel, and other decorations.
• Store sorted decorations neatly and carefully. Keep ornaments in their original boxes, wrap in newspaper or tissue, or cushion with shredded paper from your home office. Tie each strand of lights separately with twist-ties or plastic cable ties to keep them neat and untangled. Label everything, so you can take out only what you need next holiday season.
• If you have decorations which you have not used in more than 3 years, or which no longer match the rest of your home's décor, consider donating them or selling them on consignment. Why keep stuff you don't use? Also, it's easiest to go through unused decorations while storing the ones you did use this year: everything you have can be laid out and compared.
• If you're saving wrapping paper, tissue bows, and ribbons to reuse next year, fold everything neatly and place in a labeled box for safekeeping.

In no time, your life and your home will be back to normal - well, for the next 11 months, anyway.

As always, if you have any questions, don't hesitate to post them on this site. Also, don't forget to go to www.michellebersell.com to sign up for our teleseminar on January 8, and check out my guest blog for www.fogcitydivas.com on January 4.

One more reminder: the entry deadline for my FREE Closet Makeover Contest has been extended until January 21. If you haven’t subscribed to this site yet, please do so for a chance to win.

Hoping you all had a safe and magical holiday,
Candita Clayton

www.yourlifeorganized.com
www.yourlifeorganized.typepad.com