The BIG Christmas Un-Do

 

 Oh me oh my-O.... How do such beautiful decorations turn into such dread? Seriously... it all looked so festive + merry and now it seems to be SO chaotic + messy.

I feel this way every year.... so mark my own words here's how I deal with it. The following was a lil' diddy I wrote in December '07. Cheers!

OK.. I can do this, I can do this, I can do this.  I've poured myself a cup of coffee, farmed out one kid to a neighbor, garnered two more to play with one in her room and I have just settled in to write out my to do list. 

You see, I've been spinning my wheels all morning feeling anxious about the toys everywhere-and I mean everywhere, the holiday decorations are bugging me, and the dishes and treats are all over the kitchen island.  Then I paused, sipped a cup of joe, and got back to my roots.  I'm a list maker.  I am in control when I've got a list to follow.  A plan, a simple little plan.  Here goes...

1. farm out kids
2. put on some music
3. pick up trash + recycling throughout house
4. start in the kitchen: wash + put away all dishes + holiday dishes + holiday place mats
5. tackle holiday wrap- gather ribbons to save for next year, flatten boxes, store away
6. put away my gifts + my husbands (kids have to do their own tonight)
7. grab a shopping bag or box and place "replaced" items in box to donate- (like my old blow dryer and sheets)
8. Bring the holiday totes inside, place one in each room.  Gather up keepers.  Place cast-offs in the donation bag.  Return to garage + await husband's return to put backup on shelving.
9. Tempt the little girls with a treat if they help take down the ornaments and place in the boxes.
10. When girls get bored, join them for a treat then return to the tree project.
11. Get bored working on the tree project and call husband to find out when he'll be home.
12. Call husband and ask him how to make that great little holiday cocktail he poured me while wrapping all the presents.
13. Make cocktail, call girlfriend to tempt with holiday cocktail if she'll help finish the tree project or watch me finish the tree project

Comments

[allison carter]

This is why I go on vacation right after Christmas! Avoid the clean-up for a week.

[Emily]

I just tackled this dreading chore yesterday. In my family we affectionately call it "killing Christmas." I find it depressing. But I will say if feels so good after to have it all cleaned up and neat.

[DebraC]

Making to do lists are a great way to get organized whatever the occasion. Once you muster up the energy, clearing clutter can be a very satisfying feeling of achievement.

[Abby]

I just took Christmas down last weekend, well most of it anyway. Somehow I managed to overlook the wall full of our family's Christmas stockings, and the multicolored lights hanging in our living room! I was reading your post on Complete Organizing Solutions and loved it! It's always nice to see that other people have messes too, even professional organizers! I just did a before/after organizing project after Christmas, it's still going but you can see what I've done so far! Who knows, I bet you've got some awesome toy organizing ideas I could use! My blog is pretty new, but I'd love a visit! http://theylendmetheirhearts.blogspot.com

[Katy Lusnford]

Oh, I am dreading this right now. I don't have enough room to store everything - what to do?? I feel so overwhelmed so I do nothing.