Declutter Your House Before the Holidays
Holiday season is quickly approaching, and we are here to help you prepare all areas of your house!
Kitchen
Let’s be honest, there’s not a lot of cooking happening pre-holidays with all the work parties and friend parties and family parties. Take this time to do a pantry re-set. Check your pantry for unopened items that you may have gotten because they were on sale, but you didn’t actually use for that one recipe, and you WON’T use and donate to a food pantry. For those items that are opened, can you make a meal? If so, make a meal for an underprivileged group such as teenagers who are facing homelessness at Covenant House or families who are traveling out of town for treatments for their children at a Ronald McDonald House. I will put some of my favorite organizations to donate meals to below.
Also, let’s go through the fridge – I’m sure you will be sent home with some leftovers at some point. Make sure there is room for them by clearing out old and expired items now. And remember to check back on those leftovers after a few days and toss them if you don’t eat them.
Kids’ Playroom
For those who celebrate Christmas, there is bound to be an abundance of toys entering your home before the end of the year. Go through your kids’ toys - get rid of toys and puzzles that are missing pieces and donate the gently used ones that your child has outgrown or no longer plays with. Chances are, they won’t even notice! And, while we’re at it, for those with a toy closet that they rotate new toys out, grab one or two items and donate them to Toys for Tots or another program for children.
Kids’ Closet
We all know kids grow like weeds – go through their closets and determine what clothes don’t fit that can be donated and what needs to be thrown out. Kids don’t enjoy getting clothes for Christmas but I’m sure grandparents or auntie will get them 1 or 2 new outfits. This way there is room AND you know what they may need so you can help guide people when they ask for gift ideas.
Your Closet
I’m not asking you to do a full closet edit on your closet – more of a check-in. COVID changed a lot of things and the need for some types of attire is no different. Take an honest look at what you have worn so far this fall and if there are things you know you won’t wear again – donate them (if they are in good condition). Chances are, you won’t miss them! And someone else could get some good use out of them.
Coat Closet
For those who like to host and live in a cooler climate, your coat closet is going to get a lot of use. Look at what is in yours and make sure it is ready to accommodate the extra coats and outerwear, even if only for one evening. My coat closet tends to be a dumping ground when I’m cleaning up so there’s lots of things in there that don’t belong. Take 5-10 minutes to put those items away so you are ready to host!
Office
We still have some time before the dreaded Tax Season but getting a head start now could save you some valuable time in the spring. Start get your receipts and other documents together and put them in one folder. If there are medical documents you need to request, now is a good time before they get an onslaught of requests at the beginning of the year. At the very least, start a list of things that you will need to gather so when it comes time to actually gather them, you know what you are looking for. I promise, 2025 you will thank 2024 you for getting started on these things!
Donation Links:
Ronald McDonald House Charities
Healthcare Hospitality Network
📞: 404.436.1012
