So right about now I wish that my singing voice could draw in woodland creatures, who had the uncontrollable desire to clean my house. But it’s just my unmotivated children and me. I find myself in this same position every year. I decorate our home as if we were going to sell tickets to visitors; which I do truly love to do (decorate, not sell tickets). But the taking down and packing away always seems to take twice as long. And there is always something a little bittersweet. Saying goodbye to another year, knowing my children are one step closer to becoming adults, and that no matter how much you may wish it nothing can stop time, or slow it down. Yup, after Christmas destroy cleaning up takes me to a dark place alright.
So here are some steps to take which will hopefully help keep you from looking like a crazy parent as you fight back the tears when taking down baby’s first Christmas ornament. Or maybe it will just help you clean up with as little stress as possible.
Make a plan. Seriously, before cleaning up anything I stop and take a moment. Whose help will you need, or maybe whose do I want to avoid? Where will I start and how much do I plan on getting done? Now be realistic. If it took you days to completely set up don’t be fool thinking somehow a few hours will be enough…that is unless you’re throwing everything away.
Timing. If you know the kids are going to be running around the house making it impossible to move; then that’s probably not the best time to move large or delicate items. I find it helpful to take down and pack up these things while our baby is napping, and my older kids are glued to the T.V. When everyone is up it’s all hands on deck. While two kiddos help put decorations back in their boxes, another will help by entertaining the littlest.
Go room by room. With the weather outside being chilly, for most of us, it is just good sense to focus on things indoors. If you’re like me and decorate your home as if your life depended on it, this room by room method will help. You’ll keep yourself from taking on too much (hopefully), and you’ll slowly see your home coming back together.
Taking down the tree. For our family this is the last thing we take care of (aside from the lights outside). Mostly, it’s because I don’t want to see it go, and because boxing up each ornament is a real chore. But this year this was the free thing on our list. Once your tree becomes a danger, no matter how beautiful it looks or smells, its got to go. Here I do suggest having a little help. Our kids love seeing all their ornaments and going on the hunt to search for each one. And bonus I get to step down for this clean up.
So if you haven’t started already, now is as good a time as any. Whether you plan to host a New Year’s party, go to one, or stay at home in pajamas watching the ball drop (which I think is the best) one thing is for sure…you don’t want Christmas clean up to be the first thing you have to take care of in the New Year.
Dear Lord, Thank you for this year. May we be wiser from the experiences we’ve encountered, but never fools in believing at we won’t need you every step of the way in this upcoming year. God may we draw closer to you, making 2016 a year devoted to building our relationship with you until you return. -Amen