Photo Courtesy of Country Living
A s soon as the holidays are over, I have an urge to get back to what’s “normal” for our family. I feel overwhelmed by a belly full of rich food, a house full of guests and a Christmas tree full of gifts. So the day after Christmas, I start clearing our house of the accumulation of the holidays:
1. I recycle anything I can by separating wrapping paper, tissue and ribbon into 2 piles: recyclable and non-recyclable. I keep some of the tissue paper to wrap fragile ornaments and decor for storage and hold on to ribbon and bags that are in good condition to be used next year.
2. To get rid of our tree, we cut it in half and have our recycling company pick it up. They also take wreaths and live garland for recycling. If your recycling company doesn’t take trees, contact a local Boy Scout troop – they often collect them for a small fee.
3. When we take down our lights, we note any strands that are no longer working because we can trade them in next year for a discount on new LED lights.
4. I love Christmas cards and look forward to receiving each one of them every year so I save all of our cards and pull them out at the beginning of the holiday season, re-reading annual letters and looking at family photos to see how our friends and family have changed year after year. You could also reuse Christmas cards by cutting off the front to make postcards or gift tags for next year. For photo cards, cut out the photos and frame them or make a 2011 calendar showcasing friends and family. If you don’t plan to reuse them, donate them to St Jude’s Ranch Recycled Card Program. The children at the Ranch use all occasion cards to make new cards for sale teaching them entrepreneurial and creative skills.
5. For every new toy our kids receive, we ask them to choose one old toy to donate to a local organization that will distribute them to families in need.
6. We send guests home with leftovers and take holidays treats to work. Then we don’t keep packing on the Christmas pounds!
Once I’m done, it feels like a breath of fresh air. We can get back into our family’s routine and prepare for a New Year.
Have you cleared your Christmas clutter or do you wait until after New Year’s?
Tiffany Larson
Tiffany is a wife to one wonderful husband and proud mama of two very busy children. They spend their free time in the outdoors on the snow, water, road or dirt. She is passionate about green living and dragging her family along the journey with her! Tiffany can be found writing at Mommy Goes Green.
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