10 Days to reclaim your home. Day 7&8

Day 7 Jan 1st

Did you party last night?

Yes -Write a list of the medicines that were used up this morning in the post party hangover and replace them tomorrow. Then put the list with the unused Christmas cards so that you can buy extra in December, preparation for New Years Eve.

No – Write down the 5 things you loved about not partying – put it with your unused Christmas cards so that you can remember next New Year’s Eve

Day 7

Day 8 2nd January

Take a long hard look at the Christmas tree, Timer on for 5 minutes and take off decorations - as much as you can in the 5 minutes. No putting them in their boxes, just get them off the tree. In a second 10 minutes put them away in their boxes for protection.

10 Days to reclaim your home Days 5&6

Day 5 30th

Organising all the table paraphernalia . So today ( well tomorrow because I posted this so late) gather together ALL the stuff for the Christmas table. Anything you didn’t use this year decide if you want to keep it – if you hesitate half a second after you have asked the question, it needs to be gone. In the bin, in the charity shop, in the neighbours – who cares – just gone. With the stuff that is left, decide what goes back into the storage ( my case the loft) and what is general use. Clean and put away accordingly.

Was there anything missing this year that you wish had been on your table, ( the golden goose is already taken)? Put a note in November’s diary to make sure you beg, buy or borrow it for Christmas 2025.

Wish mine was this big.

Day 6 31st.

Two Jobs today.

1) Look in the decorations storage boxes and look at the decorations that you haven’t used. Does it bring you joy to have them? Are they “special” objects? If you have said “No” to these two questions – Let them go ( to misquote a rather famous song). Even sing it as you throw them into the “bin” or “give away” pile.

2) Timer on for 5 minutes only, and remove as many surface/stair/door/floor decorations as you can in that time. Once the timer goes – stop.

10 Days to reclaim your home days 3&4

Day 3 Dec 28th.

Find a home for the presents. This can be a challenge whether you house is a small 2 bed bungalow or a 10 bedroom mansion. More rooms means more clutter. The question is whether to keep ( precious/useful/brings you joy), pass on, throw away, or hide away. 15 minutes ( But I do 10) at a high speed. Then stop. WELL DONE.

This is the difficult question. Does it make you smile? If you yes straight away then find a place to put it. If you hesitate even for a moment then it needs treating. Now there are two routes. 1) The MAYBE pile and the OUT OF THE HOUSE pile.

The MAYBE pile is for those things that you are not sure about. Once you have a pile big enough ( carrier bag, small box) seal it, date it and then put it somewhere out of site. Put a reminder to look at it in the diary at 6months and 1 day or 1 year and 1 day. If you have not opened it 6 months/1 year later – do not open it just bin it. The important thing is NOT to open it. If you haven’t missed the contents in 1 year – you don’t need them.

The OUT OF THE HOUSE pile – does what it says on the tin.

Remove the monsters in the fridge - and their food.

Day 4 29th Dec The left over eating and drinking stuff.

Firstly take a long look in the fridge. Go on I dare you. Look at it and work out the stuff to be thrown away. The half eaten, going crusty, really can’t be bothered eating another piece food. Isn't it time the turkey and the potatoes hit the bin before they grow hairy? Then look at the savouries. Gather together ( or bin) the crisps, then the nuts, put the fruit in the bowl, cheese biscuits in their tubs, sweets into one place.

BUT word of warning.... once the food is out of the fridge - bin it - don't leave it on the side for later - as one author did. It's a bummer to discover the half finished job when you are about to make your "going to bed" cuppa!