“Post-Christmas Cleanup” article from OrganizedHome.com
Even in the midst of holiday cheer, it’s time to look ahead to a clean and organized New Year.
Ready to swing into the coming year from a clutter-free and organized home?
Try these year-end tips to cut clutter and start the New Year on an organized note:
Send White Elephants On Their Way
When it comes to holiday giving, it’s the thought that counts. But when those thoughts leave you scratching your head? Come up with a plan to wrangle the year’s white elephant gifts: those “really, you shouldn’t have!” gift items that have entered your home during the season.
Before they can become clutter in your New Year’s home, try these strategies to sort out white elephant gifts:
- Consign “regifting” candidates to the gift closet. Did the big, bountiful gift basket include a lovely cheese board, spreaders and dipping bowl–identical to the other three sets now living in your cabinets? Nosh on the snacks, but set the unneeded items aside in the gift closet. Next year, they’ll be the start of a lovely gift basket when packed together with some good cheese and a box of specialty crackers.To prevent regifting faux pas, scribble a short note outlining who gave what for each new gift closet find. Hint: make a note on the original gift tag; it’ll prevent you from regifting unneeded items in the wrong circle.
- Hold an after-Christmas White Elephant exchange. Inviting friends for dinner on January 1st or hosting a Super Bowl party this year? Ask everyone to bring a wrapped white elephant for a post-Christmas gift exchange.You’ll clear clutter and breathe new life into white elephant gifts. Who knows? Your white elephant may be someone else’s favorite gift! Just be sure to avoid circulating gifts that have been given by your guests!
- Stuck with unneeded books? Consider an online swap! Web sites likePaperback Swap and Book Mooch make it easy to turn trite titles into a welcome read–and cut clutter on household bookshelves!
FOR MORE GREAT TIPS, view the article in its original contect HERE.
