Give Your Home a Postholiday Refresh

After weeks of being holly and jolly, your holiday cheer can become a holiday headache when it’s time to get your home back to normal. However, your postholiday organization doesn’t have to be stressful. Use these tips to pack up your seasonal decor and prepare your home for the months ahead.

Plan ahead

When packing your holiday items, consider reserving boxes for separate areas of your home. Keep items that decorate your living room in one box, items that go in your kitchen in another, and so on. This will help cut down the time spent unpacking and setting up your holiday decor in the future. Also, use clear plastic totes (you may still want to label each one) so you can easily see what is in each container when it comes to decorate again at the end of the year.

Check your lights

Before putting away your holiday lights, check each strand to ensure all the bulbs are still functioning. If some don’t light up, either replace the bulb or replace the entire strand of lights. Store your lights by winding them around a store-bought holder, a hanger, or wrapping paper tubes. Secure them with twist ties, and place them in a box.

Pack your ornaments

If you’re looking for a convenient way to store small ornaments, repurpose egg cartons for an easy DIY option. Wrap delicate ornaments in tissue paper, and place each in a separate egg divot. Place each egg carton in a storage container, but make sure they are stored near the top to prevent breakage. If you have ornaments that are not fragile, you can repurpose a holiday tin you received as a gift as a festive container.

Invest in a tree bag

A tree bag is a helpful purchase if you put up an artificial Christmas tree. These bags help protect your tree from moisture, dust, and pests while in storage, and some varieties will allow you to store your tree fully assembled. To find a bag that fits your tree, measure the circumference and height while considering the tree’s fullness. If your artificial tree is very wide or full, bump your bag selection up a size.

Donate items you don’t need

Don’t let the end of the holidays dim your giving spirit. If you’re looking to cut back on the number of holiday items you have, try donating items such as:

• • Decor you haven’t used in the last two years
  • Gifts that you’re not going to use
  • Rolls of wrapping paper
  • Gift bags
  • Blank cards
  • Cookie tins or jars

Clean your refrigerator

After weeks of baking and cooking, your fridge and freezer may need some attention. Remove and toss anything expired or empty. If you have remaining leftovers, you may want to plan meals for the next few nights to make use of them. This is also an excellent time to clean your fridge, so remove all the items and wipe down the inside and outside, removing any spills, leaks, or crumbs.

Swap your items

Depending on what gifts you received for the holidays, you may want to reorganize your home to accommodate the new items. If you received new clothing, this could be the perfect time to revamp your wardrobe. Add the gifted clothing to your collection, and remove the oldest items from your closet, whether coats, shoes, or shirts. You can donate any items you remove that are in good condition to charity. If you received new electronics or furniture, get rid of older items and sell or donate them to avoid taking up unnecessary space.

Deep clean your home

Whether you hosted family members from out of town or entertained guests with a holiday party, January is a great time to give your home a deep cleaning. There’s nothing better than starting the new year with a home that’s clean from top to bottom. These tasks are a good place to start:

• • Wash your linens, such as bedding, tablecloths, and napkins
  • Clean your oven, microwave, dishwasher, and sink
  • Vacuum and shampoo carpets
  • Clean your bathrooms
  • Wash and polish silverware
  • Organize and clean out cabinets and closets

Prepare for the rest of winter

Even though the holidays are over, winter is here for several more weeks. This can be a great time to take some precautions to help your home stay spic-and-span for the months ahead. If you live in an area where inclement weather is an issue, set up a boot tray near your door to store wet footwear. You should also have a space to hang any wet clothing, and utilize mats and throw rugs in your entryways. Place towels near your doors to help you clean up any water or mud that gets on the floor. This is also helpful for wiping a dog’s dirty paws after a winter walk.