The visitors have gone, the Christmas tree has been dismantled and the new toys have been thoroughly played with… But in the midst of the holiday cheer, it can be easy for your house to become chaotic and disorganized. And we’ve all been there! So here are some top tips to help you keep your home in order after the holidays.

Keep on Top of the Clutter

With wrapping paper and all sorts of presents unwrapped during the holiday season, it’s easy to feel like your family’s possessions have doubled. So after the holiday season, it’s a great time to begin decluttering your house. Some experts suggest that for every new item, you should remove two from your home. But if this isn’t your style, start one room at a time and consider what you can discard.

Ask for Help

After hosting guests and meeting their needs, you might just want to relax in your own home. But it can be difficult to do this if the house feels untidy. So consider enlisting the help of your family or friend to help you vacuum the carpets, do a few loads of laundry, or clean the guest bedroom. You may even want to hire a professional to do a deep clean of your living areas to help your place sparkle again.

Make Time for a Routine

If you are busy with all sorts of holiday activities it can be hard to stick to your regular routine. So the best way to get organized again is to concentrate on making your daily routine a routine again! Even things like regularly checking your mail (both snail mail and email), eating meals at the usual time, or adhering to a bedtime will help you get back in the swing of things.

Make a To-Do List and Stick to It

Maybe you need to rush out and return some white elephant gifts or perhaps you promised yourself that this Christmas you would use your free time to finish some tasks around the house. Making a to-do list will help you achieve your goals and keep you accountable.

Keep the Counters and Surfaces Clear

This is one for all year round, not just Christmas time! However, the holidays can be a time of clutter – where are you going to stack your gifts, decorations, and all the extra belongings that somehow manage to appear during this season? By keeping your kitchen counters clear, you will always have a tidy work space to cook your meals (even if they are just left-over turkey sandwiches). Keeping surfaces clear, such as dining or coffee tables makes the space feel cleaner and more open.

Throw an Un-decorating Party

Any excuse for a party is a good one, and an un-decorating party can be a lot of fun. Invite a few friends or some family over to help you take down your decorations – maybe you could watch the last of the television Christmas reruns (with some pizza and drinks) while you’re at it.

During your un-decorating party, you have a good opportunity to part with decorations you no longer need or like. Perhaps one of your guests would be happy to give some baubles a new home, or your old angel the space at the top of their tree next Christmas. Maybe you could store older decorations in a separate box for the kids to decorate their own mini tree next year. There are a lot of things you can do when you throw a party like this!

Donate Using Packaging Boxes from Online Orders

Many gifts are purchased online nowadays, and these boxes make a perfect place to store items to be donated. Thrift stores and charities are always looking for quality donations, and homeless shelters quite often have wish lists on their websites. So definitely consider this as an option!

Pack Away Decorations in a Sensible Place

The holidays come but once a year, and now is the perfect time to find a sensible spot for them to live all year long. Maybe they are stored in plastic tubs and live in your basement or attic. But if you live in a place where space is at a premium, find a location where your holiday boxes can live without having to be moved around for the rest of the year. Not only does it help keep the house organized, but you will feel happier enjoying the sight of your decorations during the next holiday season.

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Whether you love cleaning and tidying up the home or not, these tips will definitely help you out and make your home feel much more relaxing. So try them out and let me know what you think!