Milwaukee/NARI Tips for Organizing After the Holidays

As the strains of Auld Lang Syne fade away, many homeowners may be left with an overwhelming mess and no idea where to start. Beneath the confetti and discarded wrapping paper is the bigger task of getting organized after the holidays. Members of the Milwaukee/NARI Home Improvement Council, Inc., celebrating 50 years as the area’s leading home improvement and remodeling resource, offer professional tips for finding order and keeping it in the New Year.

DECORATIONS

Tempted to leave the lights on the roof all year? Milwaukee/NARI members recommend spending an afternoon gathering all of the holiday decorations – including any that weren’t used – to one spot. “Using covered bins, segregate decorations into similar areas, such as ‘inside and outside,’ ‘tree,’ ‘mantle,’ et cetera,” said David Kittleson of Closet Concepts, LLC in Wauwatosa.

Brenden McDaniel of Action Organizing in Milwaukee agreed, saying, “This will make it easier to see what you have for next year.” His biggest tip for reducing clutter is for homeowners to donate or pass along the decorations that they didn’t use this year. “Also, let go of any broken lights, decorations, or ornaments. Ask the help of family members or a friend to put decorations away,” McDaniel added.

The best place to store the holiday decorations may be the corner that’s hardest to reach. “Since these items will only be accessed once a year, it is not necessary for them to be stored front and center,” said Kittleson.

TOYS

When the children are fortunate to bring in a good haul of gifts, parents may feel frustrated trying to figure out where to go with them. McDaniel’s first tip is to get the kids involved in the process of organizing what’s theirs. “Make it fun. Play music in the background. Reward the children for their work – go to a movie after, go for a walk, go out for lunch, or just enjoy a big hug for a job well done.”

To begin, Kittleson recommends creating some space. “Take time to go through the children’s toys and donate items that aren’t regularly used, making room for the new ones.” Discard anything broken. McDaniel added, “Any gifts that are duplicates, not age appropriate, or don’t interest the children can be donated. Places like the Ronald McDonald house and other charities are always in need of toys any time of the year.”

Next, McDaniel recommends working with the child to draw a template of the room, writing down where the child will put away toys, clothing, and books. “Get down to the kid’s level. This will allow you to see from the kid’s perspective,” he said. “Have toys and books that are easy to put away on lower shelves. Items that are breakable and more complicated put on higher shelves.”

McDaniel and Kittleson both suggest using colored bins and baskets, and finding ways to turn the task of tidying up into a fun way to spend time together.

STAYING ORGANIZED IN 2012

For homeowners who resolve to keep their home organized in 2012, Kittleson said it is important to have a designated and defined place for everything. “Items that have a specified area tend to always make their way back,” he said. “These defined spaces will help you put a limit on the number of items, to help cut down on clutter.”

McDaniel recommends making goals, creating a plan, implementing it, and tweaking the plan as needed. He has three main steps for staying organized:

1) Get caught up. “This can be as simple as picking up a room, to a full blown organizing project such as being able to park a car in the garage.” Whether it’s 15 minutes per day or three hours, homeowners should plan time in their schedule for catching up on tasks that need attention. Keep to the schedule “until you feel caught up.”

2) Keep up. “This can be as simple as taking out the trash and recycling, or doing the dishes and the laundry.” Homeowners who invest just a few minutes each day in keeping up will be able to defeat what McDaniel calls the “Procrastination Beast.”

3) Work ahead. “This can be as simple as setting the table for breakfast the night before, to working on the family activity calendar.” He suggests that homeowners continue the organizing schedule, but don’t forget to set time for relaxing and enjoying the benefits of being organized.

Staying organized for the entirety of 2012 may be a difficult resolution, especially for perfectionists. McDaniel recommends fighting the desire to have things done perfectly. “Sometimes, this leads to that nasty Procrastination Beast, because people put off doing projects and tasks that they fear won’t be done perfectly. Work on the project or task a little at a time, and it will get done.”

Additional easy, after-holiday organizing tips from McDaniel include:

• Update your address book from holiday cards received.
• Can some one else benefit from this? Pass on gifts that you don’t love or need.
• Donate holiday outfits that don’t fit or have lost their luster.
• When you shop the after Christmas sales make sure to write down what gifts you acquired and who you intend to give them to for next year. If you buy cards, wrapping paper, or other holiday supplies on sale, write a note for yourself and put them in your November 2012 calendar to be prepared for next season.
• Write down what you and your family really enjoyed about the holidays and what you would do differently next year. Keep this in your November 2012 calendar so you can remember what activities to repeat.
• Decide what holiday baking items you need. Make a resolution to clear your kitchen clutter, start with your baking goods. Remove all old and expired spices and baking goods. Also discard any pots, pans, and utensils that need to be replaced.

For more information, call 414-771-4071 or visit the Council’s website at www.milwaukeenari.org.