Is your space so #cluttered that you don’t know where to put the #Christmas tree? Prepare your home for the season by #dcluttering before you start #decorating, The Spruce says. Start by clearing out the stray children’s toys, and ask kids to pick a few things they no longer want to #donate or #trash. Do the same for your #holiday #decorations by getting rid of anything no longer fits your decorating scheme. And do a quick tour of the tchotchkes #cluttering your display surfaces — can they be stored for the holidays in favor of more seasonal items? You might find something that can be #donated or regifted. #HolidayDecorations
Tag: charity donations
Holiday Decorations Don’t Last Forever
If you’re anything like the folks at the Organizing Blog, you might have a stash of vintage #Christmas ornaments you’ve collected over the decades. These fragile little gems — some of them family heirlooms — adorn your tree year after year, but they weren’t made to last forever. Pack and unpack them carefully, continually #decluttering and eliminating the ones you are no longer fond of. And remember, you can only use so much Superglue; accidents happen, and those jagged edges and frayed wires could present a #holiday hazard. #Upcycle when you can, says DIYnCrafts, but be prepared to say goodbye when necessary. #HolidayDecorations
Declutter as You Decorate
As you #decorate for #Christmas or another December #holiday, you will undoubtedly unpack a lot of ornaments, twinkling lights and knickknacks — and you will likely add to that pile over the season. Do yourself a favor at the outset, says Good Housekeeping: clear out the #clutter of seasons past. Unused winter clothing, outdated and dog-eared decorations, spare shopping bags, and extra charging cords that don’t seem to attach to any appliance can be #recycled, #trashed or #donated to make way for new things that will put you in the holiday spirit. #HolidayDecorations
The Holidays Are Coming in Hot
It happens every year — no sooner do the leaves start to turn and suddenly, it’s the #holiday season. This year, however, the #holidays are coming in particularly hot, so you can strap in for a wild couple of months of entertaining, socializing and shopping.
If you think that calendar “creep” is getting worse, you aren’t imagining it. “‘Summerween’ became a July phenom, pumpkin spice lattés launched at Starbucks in August, and Hallmark kicked off its Christmas movie hype in September,” says the advertising blog Muse by Clios.
With the economy on shaky ground and inflation on the rise, advertisers are focusing on value. You may have less money, time and energy to spread around during the season, not to mention fewer days to shop after a late Thanksgiving. How will you handle the season without succumbing to stress?
First, manage expectations of yourself, says UC Davis Health. Don’t overschedule. Calendar events and list your responsibilities. Simplify travel plans to reduce the time spent in cars and airports. Take a break when you fell stressed from #shopping, #cooking and #cleaning.
To stay within budget, manage your gift-giving. You don’t have to spend money you don’t have or give every single person you know a gift. You may be able to make some of the gifts you give or #thrift a few items at a discount. Crafting or baking homemade goods might even become a holiday tradition!
Make a list and check it twice, says the American Bankers Association. Note the people for whom you plan to buy, what your price range is and a few ideas for gifts. Look for bargains on the targeted gifts and (try to) resist impulse buying onscreen and in stores.
The holidays are also a season for giving to charity. About 1 million #veterans nationwide rely on SNAP benefits, which were recently interrupted; you can #donate to the local food bank to help solve some of that food insecurity at least temporarily.
You can also schedule a #donation #pickup at ClothingDonations.org to benefit #veterans at any time of year. Your lightly used #clothing and #household goods will be resold to fund programs that target food and housing insecurity, veteran health care, and more.
We’re in the thick of the holiday season already, but don’t stress. Get #organized — sort out what you need to do and tackle those essential tasks one by one. Then, kick back and enjoy!
How to Help Your Aging Relatives Declutter and Downsize
As people get older, they often enter a paradox: They have collected a lifetime of memorabilia and possessions, and they may only use a tiny fraction as their needs, interests and health circumstances change.
The problem isn’t limited to the elderly; people of all ages keep substantial amounts of things they don’t necessarily need. But the older one is, the more one is likely to have amassed a lot of #stuff — and the more likely that life changes will demand a #downsizing.
If one of your parents, relatives or friends is “getting up there” in age, they may need some help #decluttering. It can be physically, mentally and emotionally challenging, says The Homes I Have Made, but the effort will be worthwhile.
#Clutter affects physical safety and mental well-being. Once thoroughly #decluttered, a home is easier to navigate and keep #clean if a relative plans on aging in place. And if they are planning on moving to a smaller space or a sunnier location, it will be easier to pack up and go.
The whole family can get involved if an aging parent has a lot of stuff — sharing memories and making new ones. Take your time, but have everyone involved target specific areas for decluttering. Have boxes and bags ready and take frequent breaks to enjoy one another’s company.
When you help a family member shed cherished furnishings and accessories, you can ensure that those things go to a good home. Someone in the family may need that antique armoire that’s been in the family for decades, for example, or want to give that dining-room set a new home.
Any unwanted goods can be #donated to a worthy charity. ClothingDonations.org accepts used clothing, furniture, appliances, housewares, kitchen items, media, toys and many other items, for example, and will pick them up to make #decluttering convenient. Those #donations will be resold to help fund valuable #veterans programs throughout the country.
It’s never easy to #declutter or #downsize, but your aging relatives don’t have to go it alone — or worse, suddenly have to make a life change that’s hindered by a lifetime of stuff. Start today to make their golden years happy, healthy and #clutter-free.