Even if you are a "clean as you go" person, there is still a lot to do when the holidays are over. From cleaning out the leftovers in the fridge to putting away the decorations, these post-holiday organization tips will help you get your home in order so that you can happily ring in the new year.
Organize your decor.
Plan how to organize and store your decorations so they are easier to find next year. Try packing all lights in one box and dedicating another box to other décor. We recommend placing your decor into boxes categorized by which room the decorations were in. This allows you to pull out each box for the room you would like to decorate the following year without having to sort through each one.
Also, before you start packing up your holiday décor, set aside the decorations that you did not use this holiday season. If you have not used them in a couple of years, consider donating them. There is no need to keep things in your home if you are not going to use them.
Go through your new items.
Around the holidays, gifts are usually overflowing. People have the most wonderful intentions, but do you need to keep all the presents you received? Go through everything that came into your home and decide whether you will keep it, sell it, regift it or donate it. Do not feel obligated to keep something that you do not want or need. If you were given money, stay in your pajamas and deposit those checks without leaving the house.
Tackle the fridge.
Storage bags on top of containers on top of casserole dishes: the refrigerator is almost always chaotic after the holidays. Sort through all of your food, and be realistic about what you will eat. If there is something you can freeze and eat sometime in January, do it. Ensure you are storing your food correctly. If you have a lot of ham or turkey leftovers, find a new recipe to make. Once you finish sorting through the contents of the refrigerator, pull everything out and deep clean it.
Deep clean everything.
After the refrigerator, why not deep clean everything else? Pull the stove out, scrub the floor and clean the inside of the oven. Get into every nook and cranny in the kitchen and the bathroom along with areas of your home that experienced heavy foot traffic during the holidays. Start the new year off with a sparkling clean home.
Plan for the new year.
What are some bucket list items that you want to accomplish in the new year? Whether it is travel, savings goals or an opportunity to make a healthy change, sit down, relax and give it some thought. When your home is clean, you will be able to think more clearly about what the new year has in store for you.
Download a PDF of your organizational checklist.
Now that your home is clean, perhaps you have a few home improvement projects on your mind for 2022. Consider using your home's value to fund renovations to your kitchen, bathroom or even new appliances. Not sure where to begin? Contact your personal concierge—your go-to financial expert. It is their job to help you navigate the details of spending, saving and planning for the future. Best of all, they're here whenever you need them in the Members 1st mobile app and online banking.
