A Dad’s Guide to Decluttering

Father’s Day is June 15, and — like most people — #dads sometimes need a little help with #decluttering. Whether they’re #minimalists when it comes to extra #stuff or irrepressible #packrats, there’s always room to streamline.

Of course, every dad is different. Some are juggling family, kids and career in starter homes with little space to spare, and others may be dealing with the weight of a lifetime of accumulated paperwork and other #stuff post-retirement.

His hobbies will have an effect on the level of #clutter. If Dad is a woodworker, mechanic or tinkerer, he may have hundreds of tools and parts to #organize. He may even have duplicates! Help him sort out his favorites — the ones that really get used — and #donate or sell the rest.

If he’s an avid athlete, sportsman or musician, he will probably have more than one piece of specialized equipment that takes up a lot of space when not in use. And even if Dad just likes to read or listen to music, chances are he has a lot of accumulated books, papers and media.

Young dads with kids may not have as much stuff of their own, but struggle to keep the family #organized. Brooklyn’s Tidy Dad believes that #decluttering, #cleaning and #organizing responsibilities should be shared in a household, since everyone contributes to the #clutter and mess.

His advice? Know what makes a space seem #messy and #cluttered. Reassess the “hypothetical someday” to determine what’s really in use. Find a balance of possessions, space and everyday life. Schedule #decluttering on the calendar. And make #tidying tasks manageable and routine.

Ultimately, he says, #tidying is more than decluttering — it’s a way to create space for every part of your life. Young or old, the idea is for dads to have “just enough” #stuff and systems in place to make it easy to maintain an equilibrium.

Once you’ve helped Dad declutter, tidy up and organize, contact ClothingDonations.org for a #free #donation #pickup. He’ll be happy you helped, and in turn, happy to help the nation’s #veterans with his donation. #DadsDecluttering

Setting the Table for Easter Brunch

If you’re hosting an #Easter or #springtime #brunch, pick “a color palette that represents the season,” says blogger Stacy Ling. Use a garden as inspiration; many flowers are coming up in spring colors of yellow, purple and pastels. Bring the outdoors in with a festive floral centerpiece, and consider breaking out the special dishes. “And yes, you can totally mix vintage pieces with your fine China or other dinnerware,” she says. “Mixing things up adds more interest to the table.” You can always find decorative plates, vases, table linens and more at the #thrift stores supplied by generous #dontions to ClothingDonations.org. #EasterBrunch

Cooking Brunch for a Crowd

If you want to stage a good Easter or springtime #brunch for a crowd, stick to recipes that can be made en masse to feed lots of people. Breakfast casseroles are easy to make in bulk, and they range from savory egg bakes to sweet French toast. Anything eggy is a natural at #Easter time, and while egg prices remain high, deviled eggs are a homey favorite. “Looking to put seasonal produce to good use? Try the show-stopping carrot tart, crowd-pleasing strawberry muffins or wrap asparagus in bacon,” says The Pioneer Woman. “Just don’t forget to pour yourself  Easter cocktail.” #EasterBrunch

Look to a Thrift for Quality Tableware

Even the most seasoned chefs don’t always have the specialized cooking equipment a new recipe calls for. Home cooks who are missing an oddly shaped pan or dedicated fruit peeler should browse the shelves at the local #thrift and #secondhand shops supplied by your generous #donations to ClothingDonations.org. Thrifts can be a great source of the dishes, bakeware, tools and small appliances that designed to make #cooking a breeze. They are also a great source of the seasonal decorations, serving dishes and tableware that will make your Easter or springtime brunch a big success. #EasterBrunch

Spring Is the Season for Brunch

Fresh produce and sunny weather always puts The Organizing Blog in a #brunch mood. The good news is that you don’t have to go out and spend a lot of money to have a great brunch, Easter or otherwise. Pick up some early season vegetables such as asparagus, peas and morel mushrooms at the farmers market, add some eggs, and enjoy a delicious, fresh meal, Serious Eats says. Many recipes are easy to make and crowd-pleasing, so invite friends and family to your #springtime brunch fare to help shake off the last vestiges of your #winter #hibernation. #EasterBrunch