Après-Holiday Decluttering

Posted on January 5, 2024 by Janet Chiarella

Après-Holiday Decluttering

I don’t know about you, but for me January came with a big sigh of relief. While I love the holidays and everything that comes with holiday celebrations: all the shopping, wrapping, decorating, cooking, entertaining, parties, traveling to visit family, traveling to visit friends, arranging for pet care, dressing up, being social, eating, drinking, and cleaning up is exhausting. Then the bills come in and the exhaustion is not only physical, but also mental. When I am bone tired, I cannot settle down and decompress when things around me are messy, and all this holiday fun does have a tendency to leave a path of chaos in its wake. So to rest long and well, there are a dozen messes to address. Join me for holiday decluttering 12 things after the season vanishes.

1. Holiday Decorations

Holiday decorating is so much fun, isn’t it? But I notice every year that there are inevitably a few items that stay in the box. Décor I once loved has lost its magic. As you strip the tree of ornaments, garlands, ribbons, bows, and lights and clear away your other holiday swag, evaluate your stash before you box everything up. If there are decorations that didn’t make the initial cut, ones you don’t have room for, or ones that are damaged, bite the bullet and toss them.

2. Baking Supplies

Baking can be a big and traditional part of the holidays, and baking supplies can use up valuable cabinet space. If the supplies are seasonal, like cookie cutters, store them with your Christmas décor. If your Bundt pans, pie plates, serve ware and cookie cutters are taking over your kitchen storage or were unused this season, purge. Sort through your baking collection and declutter what you don’t need. Either donate what you no longer use, or sell it.

3. Email Inbox

There’s nothing like the holiday season to make you realize just how many email lists you’re on. Every time you buy something on line, merchants pretend you want to hear from them again and again and again. If your inbox received a barrage of sales notifications this winter, take a look at which ones you never open or which stores you’re unlikely to shop from again. Take a moment to click “unsubscribe” or send them to junk (because sometimes that unsubscribe request seems to get lost in the mail) and your inbox will be lighter all year long. Find Gmail unsubscribe tips here.

4. Toys

I left my sweet pup with a Rover sitter on New Year’s Eve in a town close to our party destination but about an hour away from home. Her listing indicated she had two dogs and two little kids. When we arrived at the home, what was mean to be her living room was turned into a playroom with low shelves all around the perimeter filled with – literally – hundreds of toys shoved into whatever space was available. And that’s not counting the toys and playsets on the floor. I seriously wanted to Marie Condo-ize the space, but managed to keep that thought to myself. A good rule of thumb is when you can no longer see the floor in your child’s room or playroom because it’s covered in toys, it’s time to declutter. When kids are old enough, they can be part of the decision-making process and learn a valuable life lesson along the way. Institute a rule — each toy they keep, they donate one — and help them sort through the collection. Find a step-by-step purge process here.

If the toys are in good condition, letting your child know it will go to another kid who could really use them, and will love them, may make letting go easier. Before donating, wash the toys, make sure they are in good repair, and check any safety guidelines. Be sure to check with the charitable organization you’re donating to for any rules governing their acceptance of toys.

5. Holiday Duds

Do you have holiday clothing – seasonal tops, fancy dresses, “ugly” sweaters – that haven’t been worn in recent years? Sometimes it can be hard to part with clothing that’s “still good”. Determine if you’ll likely ever really wear it again. If the answer is “no” donate it or if it’s as ugly as my Aunt Helen’s Christmas sweater, toss it.

If you have garments that are in great condition, do like my sister and sell them on Poshmark, ThredUp, or Facebook Marketplace. Ditto for fancy holiday shoes you’re unlikely to wear in day-to-day life. I mean how many pair of dressy black shoes does a girl need (this is a rhetorical question – she needs them all).

For more help cleaning out your closet, click here.

6. Outdoor Gear

By now, at the beginning of January with the winter in full swing, we all have a good sense of what winter gear we’ll actually wear and which coats, hats, and mittens no one in your household hasn’t (or won’t!) touch. Go through all of it and donate any coats, scarves, hats, boots, and gloves that are still in good condition. Somebody out there will be grateful. I have a friend who keeps a bag of hats, gloves, scarves, and socks to give to the homeless. It’s a thoughtful way to make sure needed items get into the right hands.

7. Cards, Boxes, Ribbons, and Bows

Hold onto only the most important cards you’d like to keep for sentimental reasons, then recycle the rest. When I was a kid, we’d make custom gift tags with last year’s cards. It was always a fun project mom gave us to keep us out of her hair, and a great way to recycle them before recycling was even a thing. Here’s how. Decide just how many cardboard boxes you’ll need for returns and/or storage, and recycle the rest. Will you really reuse those gift bags, ribbons, and bows? If they will easily get smashed before next year, may as well toss them now.

8. The Awful Gifts

I have a friend that brings me a goodie bag each time he visits. So very thoughtful – and appreciated! – but sometimes that lovely gift contains items that just “aren’t me”. Then there’s the mother-in-law that gives you a floral, flouncy blouse when you only ever wear plain solids. Or perhaps you’ve received the dreaded fruitcake. We may hold onto a gift we know we’ll likely never use out of guilt. It’s okay to donate or re-gift these items. If you do re-gift something, do so in a thoughtful way that won’t hurt anyone’s feelings, and certainly don’t re-gift amongst your family or circle of friends. Remember, it’s the thought that counts. It’s possible to be grateful for a gift without keeping it.

9. Leftovers

I had 12 people for a holiday dinner, and in my inevitable way of over-estimating how much people will actually eat, made two lasagnas and 30 meatballs. Even after forcing my guests to take home a doggie bag, we’re still eating leftovers days later. Not to mention the leftover cheese, fatty meats, crackers, olives, and nuts from the charcuterie board. If the holidays left your fridge a little more stuffed than usual like mine, let’s clean it out. Start by removing everything and wiping down the shelves. Freeze items that you’re sick of but are still good. Toss out leftovers that are past their prime (the USDA recommends after three to five days), before replacing everything. For tips on giving your fridge a deep clean, click here.

In the pantry, consider donating any shelf-stable foods you didn’t use during the holiday season, such as canned cranberry sauce or extra canned vegetables. Find a place to donate food here.

10. Linens

Maybe when you hosted holiday guests overnight, you realized that your spare set of sheets has seen better days. Or maybe you invested in a new set of sheets and are ready to part with the old ones. Either way, the post-holiday period is the perfect time to declutter your linen closet to determine which bedding and towels need to go. And, if this is the case, your must have missed our Hosting Overnight Guests post. (BTW, if you’re in the market for some fresh sheets, January is historically a time for bedding sales.)

11. Winter Sports Gear

I am not a winter sports person, unless riding in a horse-drawn carriage counts. But if you are and have things like skis or snowshoes, ice skates, or a sled or saucer, now’s a good time to check on your winter activity gear. Do those skates still fit? Do they need sharpening? Do your kids have skates they’ve outgrown? Donate any gear that no longer works for you but might be of use to someone else, then schedule any maintenance that your gear might need.

12. Duplicates

My fella gave me a lovely pair of earrings for Christmas this year. They were identical to the ones he’d given me two years prior and were actually on my ears the night before. LOL. If loved ones were extra-generous with the holiday gifts this year, or forgot what they’d given you previously, you may find you now have duplicative belongings. What to do? Exchange, donate, trade, sell. And let it be guilt-free.

Just making this “To Do” list gives me some piece of mind knowing that in the next weekend or two the holiday clutter will be gone. I’ll be able to enjoy calm and relaxing time at home knowing I’ve decluttered, cleaned up, and cleared out. Plus I now have a leg up for when spring cleaning season arrives, and next holiday season there just might be enough room to buy some new holiday stuff. Love the Place You Live even more after après-holiday decluttering. Happy New Year!

New Year New You

Posted on January 1, 2024 by Janet Chiarella

Globally and nationally 2023 brought us wars, earthquakes, fires, the Hollywood writer’s strike, AI, a former president indicted, Twitter morphing into X, the George Santos bevy of lies, Damar Hamlin’s collapse, Alec Baldwin’s manslaughter charge, Barbenheimer, and Swelce. Then the year rushed to a close – as per usual – with a mashup of Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanza, and New Year’s. I, for one, am exhausted and ready to start 2024 fresh. On the right foot. Clear headed, and with a light heart. Here is a collection of ways you too can start the New Year on the right foot.

Say No to New Year’s Resolutions. Ahhhh, big sigh of relief. It’s like a get out of jail free card. Resolutions are too easy to break and can be overwhelming when you try to do too much too fast, so just say no.

Walk Every Day. Whether it’s 10 minutes or an hour, walking will give you more energy, lower anxiety levels, and lift your spirits. Walking in nature can be spiritual; a time to clear your mind. Walking on a treadmill at home or at the gym can provide you with the opportunity to connect with great music, a best-selling book, self-help guidance, or a trending podcast.

Commit to Eating Healthy. Cut back on ice cream, sweets, carbs, processed foods, and fast foods and your body will thank you. In today’s world we have plenty of healthy food options from the grocery, delivery services, and many places deliver right to your door. A better diet means you can say goodbye to heartburn, fatigue, and tight clothes.

Purge Your Closet. Here’s our post on how to do just that. If you haven’t worn something in over a year, chances are you are done with it. Treat yourself to a new look in the new year with a couple of new pieces that make you feel great when you put them on. Clothing can lift your mood when you put thought and energy into your style. As in, “Giiirl, you look good!”

Clean Out Your Pantry. Here’s some help cleaning your entire kitchen, and reorganizing it too. You may find something hidden in there with a use-by date of 2008 – YIKES! – so a purge will get you not only a clean pantry, but also prevent accidental food poisoning. It’s a win-win! The general rule of thumb is: if you don’t remember when you bought something, and there’s no date on it, it’s best to toss.

Apologize. Review 2023. Do you owe anyone a heartfelt “I’m sorry”? If not, good for you. But if there is, do it. Don’t start the year with a heavy heart about something you said or did. Having negative things fill your mind makes life uncomfortable, and you may not even know where the discomfort is coming from. Make it right or let it go.

Finish It. Partially completed projects can weigh you down. Make a commitment to finish projects before starting new ones. You can only keep a few big things going on at the same time, and sometimes dealing with just one life-changing project can keep you occupied and overthinking for weeks. So finish at least one project before you start something new.

Plan Your Year. Get out your calendar, block out your vacation, you’re your reservations, book your family gatherings, give some thought to hosting parties, and be sure to put any big events on the calendar, so everyone in the house can see what’s coming up. Having something to look forward to helps make you happier. Not flying by the seat of your pants throughout the year can be so liberating!

Set Goals. I know what you’re thinking, but goals are not necessarily resolutions. Make ‘em simple ones or complex, but give yourself direction and then make a plan. Embrace the power of written goals. Having your goals in writing is so much more effective than those mental notes. You may not follow this road map exactly, but having something to guide you is better than wandering aimlessly. Even if you don’t achieve everything this year (and knowing that just makes you human), the simple knowledge that you are moving your life forward will be empowering.

Discover Your Sweet Spot. Find the place where your talents and passion intersect, and visit and engage in this place frequently. Promise yourself you will do what you love and not put if off because you’re busy working or are involved in the mundane tasks of life.

Be Satisfied. Choose to be content with what you have. Just because some influencer on Instagram suggests you NEED this or that, remember the cycle of “more is never enough” is destructive. Stuff won’t bring you happiness; connections with family and friends, communing with nature, fulfilling your heart by doing the things you love will bring you peace and joy.

In the new year, start off on the right foot with a new you of good habits. We wish each of you absolute success in making 2024 the best year yet with clear heads, loving hearts, and days filled with good health and happiness. Gushy, but we mean it!

Clean Clothes Closets Are A Beautiful Thing

Posted on September 19, 2023 by Janet Chiarella

I have a [rich] friend with an absolutely dreamy closet. It’s an entire room! The décor is all fresh, bright white and features a beautiful chandelier, make up table with a mirror featuring multiple light settings, comfy side chair, elegant floor-length mirror, shoe shelves, purse cubbies, and even a dress form to display her wedding gown. Did I mention the wine fridge stocked with bubbly? Like I said, dreamy. Living in a significantly more modest home, mine is just a wall closet with less-than elegant bi-fold doors which sometime jump off track. So dreamy is a bit out of reach. However, that doesn’t mean my closet can’t be beautiful – as in beautifully organized. Here’s how I turned my smallish, modest, messy closet into a clean clothes closet — beautiful, tidy, and well-organized storage for my clothes and shoes.

Remove Everything

I know what you’re thinking…..aaarrrggghhh!!! Same here. Took me a few weekends to work up the courage to turn a small messy closet into a huge messy pile of STUFF.

A good idea is to follow the advise of Sarah Giller Nelson, Professional Organizer and Owner of Less is More:

“Work in smaller blocks of time. Set a timer for 30 minutes to two hours, select a clothing type to go through and declutter until the time is up.”

Try it, it works (thank heavens).

Take out EVERYTHING, including hangers, and put it all on your bed. Now you can’t go to sleep until you finish the project, giving you no excuse to stop until you’re done. This will also give you a visual of the space available in your closet so you can see what will fit comfortably as you put back pieces you want to keep.

Vacuum and Dust

Tackle your now vacant closet with your vacuum and utilize its attachment to clean up dust webs and that black hole between the carpet and the wall where all manner of stuff collects. Then use your Swiffer duster to clean those top corners and the shelves. Leave the door open so the closet can air out.

If you want to kick it up a notch, consider some beautiful peel and stick wallpaper and/or some motion-sensor strip lights. Here are the 10 best peel and stick papers and below is an example of a wallpapered closet.

Sort The Pile Into Four Groups

Once you’ve put an item into a pile, don’t second guess yourself! Keep going so you don’t lose momentum.

Items you love and wear all the time. Again quoting Sarah Giller Nelson, Professional Organizer and Owner of Less is More:

“Hold your wardrobe to a very high standard. When we look good, we feel good, and you deserve to always feel your best. When decluttering, be very picky and honest.”

Try to avoid the temptation keep everything and thoughts like, “but it’s still good”! Here are some ideas to help you figure out what should stay in your closet.

Layering pieces that are good for any season.
Things you want and have actually worn in the last year.
Clothing and accessories you can incorporate with any trend.
Staple and everyday pieces that you wear seasonally.

How to Decide Which Clothes to Keep

If you’re still wondering, “what should I keep in my closet?” then answer the following questions:

Would I buy this, or wear this, today?
Does this fit my lifestyle?
When was the last time I wore this?
When will I wear this in the next few months?

Try the Marie Kondo Method. She asks:

“Does this item bring me joy?”

That’s the main question famous Japanese organizing consultant Kondo says to ask yourself when decluttering your closet. So, as you’re cleaning out your clothes, think about each item. Does a certain top make you feel less than your best? If it doesn’t make you feel good, you’re not going to wear it. There’s no point in letting it take up space in your closet.

Kondo also says to think about what you want to keep, not what you want to get rid of. Shift your thoughts to focus on items you truly love instead of worrying about some old clothes you don’t want.

Damaged items. If you’re like me, you have a few garments in your closet that you’re hesitant to discard because you once loved them. But now you can’t wear them because they’ve shrunk, are pilled, torn, or faded. The zipper no longer works. A button is missing. There’s a food stain that just won’t wash out. These items can’t be donated because of their condition. Be brave and toss. All is not lost for these old faves though! Think recycle/reuse! Turn soft t-shirts in to polishing cloths, turn fleecy items into dust cloths.

Maybe items. Try these on. So they look great on you? Do they still fit? Have you worn them in the last year? Put these clothes aside for two weeks. As Kristen Ziegler, Organizing Expert from Minima suggests:

“Be bold. Most people wear the same few items over and over, so just let the rest go.”

Donate / Sell pile. Clothes in this pile should be in good, clean condition. There are many place where you can donate clothes, like Goodwill or Vincent DePaul. If the garments are work clothes, consider Dress For Success. Some organizations will even pick up donations from your home like Volunteers of America, and here are eight more! If you’d like to cash in on some of these clothes, you can bring them to a local consignment shop or sell online at a number of different places. For a how-to along with the five best online shops, visit NerdWallet.

Uniform Hangers

Not only will uniform hangers make your closet look uber organized, and become a clean clothes closet, they can also save space! And, new hangers don’t need to break the bank. I like flocked hangers as clothing doesn’t slip off. Think lightweight hangers for shirts, heavier for hang-able sweaters and blazers, skirt and pants hangers, and heavy duty hangers for jackets and coats. If space is at a premium, consider hangers that hold multiple pieces.

Sort by Category

Put all your shirts, pants, skirts, dresses, jackets together in groups. You can even sort by color so it becomes super-easy to locate particular garments. Store your clothes in a way that compliments your daily routine.

For example, if you work out every day, try putting athletic wear near the front of your closet with the items you regularly wear to work. Your more casual weekend clothes don’t need prime real estate because you won’t need to access them quickly as you’re rushing out the door during the week.

Five Fast Tips

Need more help creating a clean clothes closet? Still have questions about making decisions about the items you’re still unsure about?

The One-Year Rule

Has it been more than a year since you’ve worn it? Then you probably won’t ever wear it. Don’t hold onto a T-shirt or a pair of shoes hoping you’ll use it again and don’t try to convince yourself you will someday. It’s time to let it go. Stop letting it take up valuable space.

Force Yourself to Wear the Maybes

Wear clothes that you’re still on the fence about. How do you feel in them? Do they make you feel good? Will you ever wear it again? Can you find a way to style it?

One Thing In, One Thing Out

From clean closet forward, get rid of something every time you bring something new home to help you prevent future clutter.

The Hanger Trick

When you’re putting your clothes back in your closet, make sure all your hangers are facing the same way. After you wear an item, turn the hanger around when you put it back. Wait a month, then take note of which hangers are still facing the original way. Reevaluate your need for these clothes and consider donating them. This will help you keep your closet clutter in check.

Slow and Steady

If the idea of spending several hours cleaning out your closet to make a beautifully clean clothes closet is just too overwhelming, try making it part of your daily routine. Set up a donation box in or near your closet and aim to put five items in every day.

Hopefully, this leads you to a less cluttered and more organized closet. Hoping it leads me to getting rid of “good” suits I bought for work years ago that haven’t been out of the closet in ages. I am most certainly afflicted with the “but it’s still good!” mentality. Working on changing that to “it’s still good – for someone else.”

Now back to dreaming of a beautiful, clean clothes closet large enough to hold a wine cabinet full of bubbly…