Tag: holiday clutter

Observing Boxing Day Traditions

Posted on by Jordank

The Organizing Blog’s favorite holiday is nearly here, and it isn’t Christmas, Hannukah, Diwali or Kwanzaa. It’s the day practically everyone pays attention to how much stuff they have and where they’re going to put it — Boxing Day!

Observed on the day after Christmas, Boxing Day got its start as an occasion for wealthy English landowners in to present servants and tradespeople with #holiday #gifts. The box — filled with seasonal delicacies and trinkets — was a gratuity recognizing their contributions over the year.

Boxing Day continues to be a holiday in many parts of the former British Commonwealth such as New Zealand, where anyone working gets time-and-a-half. And retailers in the United States use the occasion as an excuse to mark down merchandise and shore up holiday sales figures.

We regard Boxing Day as having a meaning that’s arguably closer to the original and more literal: a day to box up your holiday decorations and extra merchandise and give it to a worthy service provider or charity.

You can observe Boxing Day on Dec. 26th or any day of your choosing. Have some empty boxes ready to collect extra decorations and household goods, clothing that didn’t quite fit this season, books that have been read — whatever you no longer need.

Sort those things out as you bring a close to the holidays. As you see the boxes fill up, set them aside in a special location. As the boxes start to pile up — and this will happen faster than you might imagine — #schedule a #free #donation #pickup at ClothingDonations.org.

Put anything you will continue to use back into their proper, designated places in closets, drawers and bins. And know that you will be getting rid of some of the #clutter that has built up and be able to start the new year more #organized.

Your #donations go to a good cause: supporting programs that help the nation’s #veterans. And thanking #veterans — those who served — by giving merchandise is about as close to the original meaning of Boxing Day as you can get.

The Ultimate No-Clutter November

Posted on by Jordank

With #Halloween in the rearview and temperatures dropping fast, it’s on to November and the #holidays. ’Tis the season that you’ll see more #stuff than ever, as you give and get gifts, bake up platters of cookies, prepare your home for guests, get the good China out and put up the decorations.

But November can also be a month of measured austerity. The Great American Smokeout happens mid-month every year, and No-Shave November encourages cancer prevention and awareness. But there’s an unofficial cause you can take up in the effort to lead a calmer, more stress-free life: #No-Clutter November.

You can start with décor items that don’t get used, Organize Your Stuff Now says. As you #decorate for the fall and winter #holidays, take a good look at the stuff that doesn’t make the cut. You don’t need to save that stuff for next year — you aren’t using it, so get rid of it now. When you pack the decorations away again in January, they will take a lot less space.

Chances are you’ll be spending more time in the kitchen, too, making cookies, a dish to pass or hosting a full feast yourself. As you prepare, have a box handy and throw any shabby kitchen towels, hot pads and oven mitts in it. Do the same as you go through your drawers and cabinets; there are probably utensils that you haven’t used in years.

It’s also a great time to assess your cold-weather #clothing, much of which you’ll be getting out for the first time in November. “We recommend people #declutter their collection of hats, scarves and gloves,” professional organizer Diane Quintana told Homes & Gardens. “Look at these items critically. If they are in good condition but [you don’t] want to use them anymore, release them so someone else can benefit from them.”

To attack No-Cutter November aggressively, First for Women suggests, eliminate one item on Nov. 1, two on Nov. 2 and so on. You’ll eventually have a pile of 465 items that you don’t want or use, and you can #trash, give away or #donate them to ClothingDonations.org by arranging a #free #donation #pickup. By the end of the month, your home will be #decluttered and #streamlined — and you’ll be ready to meet the holidays head-on.

Celebrate Boxing Week Now and Into 2023

Posted on by Jordank

Long celebrated in the British commonwealth on Dec. 26, Boxing Day is the day to present servants, tradespeople and the less fortunate with gifts or cash. The name derives from alms boxes collecting money for the poor, some believe, or to boxes of gifts or bonuses given to employees on the day after Christmas.

Americans often erroneously associate Boxing Day with boxing up and putting away all of the holiday decorations once gift-giving and celebrating are done. While acknowledging this complete misinterpretation, The Organizing Blog would like readers to follow up on it this week and into 2023.

The holidays are notorious for clutter. You may have hauled out box after box of decorations, themed tchotchkes, wrapping paper and greeting cards in preparation for the holiday. Add all of the new stuff that accumulates during the season while shopping and giving, and you can easily create crisis-level #clutter.

As the season winds down, take advantage of the opportunity to edit some of that #stuff. Get a plastic bin (or several), and systematically de-stage your space. #Organize everything upfront, sorting like items into bins by room or purpose, #decluttering expert Vicky Silverthorn told Good Housekeeping — whatever works best when it’s time to display the items again.

Think of your future self: When you open these bins again in 11 months, you’ll want to find everything neatly packed and organized; it will make finding and using them easier. Also store boxes and bins away properly to eliminate more stress from decorating and add to your #holiday cheer.

Do not, however, pack and store anything you don’t plan on using again. If something is broken or compromised, trash it. If something just doesn’t suit your taste, #donate it. Schedule a #free, #contactless #donation #pickup from ClothingDonations.org, and a driver will whisk those lightly used castoffs out of your sight on the appointed day.

Since your #donations help fund #veterans programs, you’ll be merging the two meanings or traditions of Boxing Day, however archaic and/or misconstrued — giving and storing. What better way to observe the event?

Have a safe, happy and #clutter-free New Year!

Being Present Is a Great Way to Give Thanks

Posted on by Jordank

Showing #gratitude on #Thanksgiving Day might mean simply being present after two years of pandemic and cancelled plans. Set aside the smartphone and other distractions and get involved in the festivities. Practice mindfulness to keep the holiday stress-free, Chopra.com says, and enjoy the feast without overeating. “If you have a habit of shoveling food into your mouth during meals — whether it’s because you’re in a hurry, chatting with someone during the meal, or letting your mind wander about aimlessly — it may take some effort for you to slow down and notice each bite. But when you do, you will have a much better culinary experience.”

Sharing Gratitude and Goodwill on Thanksgiving

Posted on by Jordank

As you prepare your #Thanksgiving feast, etiquette expert Maralee McKee suggests you find ways for you and your guests to offer their gratitude around the table. You may wish to start the meal with an inspirational reading, or offer a (brief) toast before dessert. You can go around the table to get guests’ personal thanks, or create a “gratitude tree” of written comments. To really make the season shine, she says, go beyond simply counting your own blessings and share that goodwill, she says: “Be the person who makes it her job to make sure she’s the bright spot in someone else’s day.” #Thanksgiving