If you’re anything like me, what you would really like to do in January is to hibernate! It is the most depressing of months! After all of the excitement and build up of Christmas and New Year, it seems like there is nothing to look forward to. The cold did feel festive but now dark cold nights are nothing but gloomy.
There are a few practical things to remember to do during this month, mostly to do with getting decorations packed away so at least we can feel like we are getting organised! Let us take a look…
Back in December it was so exciting getting the decorations out, reliving Christmas memories as we unwrapped baubles we have had for years. However, the prospect of taking down the decorations and putting them all away seems like a daunting idea. It doesn’t have to be though, don’t worry! After Christmas I always think that the decorations start to look a bit messy and everywhere starts to look a bit dusty so putting them away and having a good clean can be a very satisfying job! We have different decorations for each room so a good tip is to place the things for each room in separate boxes labelled accordingly. Write down a list of what is in each box and how many there are and keep it in a safe place for the following year. Baubles often come in a box which they can be placed back in for storage or another way to keep them safe is to use shredded newspaper or what I often use, kitchen roll.
Christmas cards – we all send and receive them but they can end up looking somewhat redundant after the festivities are over. Of course there are some cards we like to keep but the rest of them, in the recycling box? I have recently been reusing old cards, not by resending them and scribbling out the name! No, I have been cutting out pictures and using them the following year as tags on presents (this technique can obviously be used for Birthday cards as well). They give a more personal touch and can be used to wrap a present in a really attractive way. Before doing this, however, another thing you might want to do is write a list of who you have received cards off for use when writing your list next year – you will thank me in December!
You have most likely done this already but if you haven’t got a calendar for the New Year yet then get buying! Good family planners in particular can run out quickly but if you can find one then chances are it will be reduced, so that’s a bonus.
It seems like a lot of trouble but once the decorations are all packed away and you have cleaned the house, you will feel more positive and ready to start the year a fresh safe in the knowledge that come December everything is organised and easy to find.
