Organizing After Christmas Chaos

As we open our gifts on Christmas morning, we have a couple of trash bags going for the wrapping. One is for recyclable cardboard products and plastics, and one for ribbon and other items that are not able to be recycled. This helps keep things organized from the start, however even after the bags have been removed to the garage, there are still toys to be opened and other things to put away. I give the family the day to enjoy everything around the tree, and then on the 26th, all items are rerouted to their permanent homes. Those locations might be bedrooms, kitchen, playroom, or garage.

Purging the Old, Making Room for the New

A quick once over of a child’s bedroom doesn’t need to take more than 10 minutes. Grab five toys that he or she no longer plays with, and put them in a donation box. Do this for each bedroom in your house, including your own. Surely there might be a book or two, or an old sweater or pair of jeans that you can let go of to make room for the new. Now is the time.

Corral All the Holiday Decor

The debate as to when Christmas decorations should be put away is a matter of personal choice. Some people can’t wait to clear them away, others like to enjoy them for the remainder of December to revel in the Christmas spirit a little longer. This year, I had everything taken down a few days after Christmas, with the exception of the tree. My husband and I enjoy lighting a fire and sitting by the tree in the evenings, so we will wait until after New Year’s to take it down.

For the remainder of Christmas decor items, I collected them all from around the house. They were piled in one corner of our great room, where I began to sort through everything. I usually find at least one or two Christmas books the kids have outgrown, an ornament I’m tired of, or that has become shabby looking, and before I pack everything away, I get rid of these items. Clutter is insidious, it creeps up on us. By taking a few minutes to take stock of what you have, there is a better chance of unpacking your decorations for next year and experiencing joy because everything you have, you absolutely love!

Returns and Thank You’s

I like to get all the gift returns and appreciative calls and notes out of the way within the first week after Christmas. Connecting with others to show thanks for their thoughtfulness feels good, and let’s be honest, it’s one less thing on your to-do list going into January. If you don’t have time to do returns, at least put all items in a box in your mudroom or home entryway. As you leave the house, you will be constantly reminded of this task that needs attending to. Which makes it more likely you might squeeze in that errand, even if it’s just one store at a time. Most things can be returned online nowadays, so maybe a trip to UPS or the post office is all you need to do to deal with any items that need returning.

Relax and Enjoy the Space You’ve Created

Now you can sit with a cup of coffee or tea and relax for the remaining few days left of the year. You know that the Christmas chaos has been for the most part, tamed!

I hope this article will assist in helping you to formulate a game plan on how to organize your home and life after the Christmas chaos. Stay tuned for more articles this month as I work to create more space in my family’s home and focus on the things that bring us joy and simplicity.

If you liked this post, you might enjoy The Seasonal Closet Swap