Collaborative post
Christmas is a delight, but it sure can create chaos at home. Cleaning up afterwards and getting everything back where it belongs is vital if you want to start the New Year with a nice clean slate.
A post-festive reset has lots of advantages. You get a refreshed space and a sense of rejuvenation as you clear away the decorations to remove all of the clutter. It can offer something of a mental rest after the festive rush. It’s also a chance to regain your inner calm and reduce stress levels as you reclaim your boundaries and boost your sense of well-being.
Start Small, Tackle Step by Step
Begin by decluttering one area at a time. Focus on removing holiday-specific decorations, disposing of packaging materials, and sorting through items that need storage or disposal. Once the decorations are down, you can start on other jobs but try and focus on just that aspect first.
Pack Decorations Methodically
Carefully pack away decorations in labelled containers or storage boxes. Wrap delicate ornaments securely to prevent damage. You could use tissue paper, bubble wrap or fabric scraps to cushion fragile items. A way to avoid tangled fairy lights is to wrap them around cardboard. Discard broken or worn-out decorations to declutter effectively, but if you have special things that got damaged you could set those aside for repair.
Organise Gifts
Find designated spots for new gifts or ornaments you’ve received. Ensure they have a proper place in your home to avoid clutter and maintain an organised space. If you can’t find anywhere to display decorative gifts, it’s better to safely store them until you can display them effectively. You could consider rotational displays so you always have something new and different in your décor. A storage locker to rent helps here since you don’t have to keep the overflow hidden away at home.
Dispose of Wrapping Materials Responsibly
Recycle or reuse wrapping paper, ribbons, and gift bags where possible. A large storage tub with a lid is very handy for keeping wrapping supplies together. Recycle what you can, including some creative Christmas card upcycles. If you fancy getting creative with greetings cards, keep them with your craft stash ready for a festive crafting session next year.
Deep Clean for a Fresh Start
Once you get done with decluttering, it’s time start on a deep cleaning spree. Vacuum carpets, dust surfaces, mop floors, and sanitise areas that had heavy use during the festivities. You don’t have to do it all at once. Sometimes the holiday period, taking in New Years celebrations too, can turn the entire house upside down. Be methodical and take it easy, gradually working around the house and paying attention to the messiest areas first.
Assess and Store Unused Items
The post-Christmas reset is a great excuse to generally take stock of all you have. Everyone has more possessions than they can use at any one time, and these are normally stashed away in cupboards, taking up space. Unless things are broken or you know you definitely won’t want them ever again, self storage spaces are the perfect solution. Things are safe and dry, but you’re not tripping over them all the time.
Refresh Your Space
Consider rearranging furniture or introducing new elements to refresh the look of your home. Moving existing furniture into new positions can, by itself, inject new energy into a room. If you want to go a step further, think about ongoing problems you could solve, such as new storage furnishings to help keep the living room tidy. But even simple additions, such as a vase of fresh flowers, can give you a boost if you’re feeling the post-Christmas blues.
Establish New Year Routines
When order is restored and everywhere looks great is a motivating time to set new cleaning routines for the coming year. Try and develop daily cleaning habits so you can maintain the tidiness you achieved post-Christmas. Little things help a lot, such as always making beds, regular vacuuming and dusting, or making sure the kitchen is clean before you retire for the night so it’s ready for breakfast. If you can, divide tasks into daily, weekly or monthly jobs. Monthly jobs might be things like window cleaning; weekly tasks may include changing beds; and daily tasks could be quick jobs like bathroom cleanups or rinsing dishes.
Celebrate the Achieved Order
Come early January, you’ll have a lovely clean and tidy house to relax in as you reminisce about the very merry Christmas you just enjoyed. Even before the chaos starts, just knowing you’ve got a plan to get things sorted afterwards can help you go into the festivities with more abandon and less stress.
When it’s all over, your newly achieved state of orderly calm sets the tone and makes for good karma through the coming months.
