With Christmas approaching, there are some things everyone starts to prepare themselves for. Unfortunately, we’re not talking about buying presents or sipping on eggnog. Cleaning and decluttering, although unanimously despised, need to be done somewhere around the holidays. Of course, no one solution fits all, and you need to consider many factors before you decide whether you’ll declutter and clean before or after the holidays. Nevertheless, we’ve come up with some universal facts that’ll make this decision easier.
Check your schedule
No matter what’s objectively better, you need to decide whether to declutter and clean before or after the holidays separately from that. No one’s schedule is the same, which means that you need to take some time to figure out what’ll be best for you. Prioritizing our obligations, especially around the holidays, can be exhausting. Nevertheless, it’s something that has to be done.
Make sure to check your schedule before deciding whether you’ll declutter and clean after or before the holidays.
Pros of cleaning and decluttering before the Holidays
Firstly, let’s take a look at some reasons why you shouldn’t postpone this until after the holidays.
● Your home will be beautiful for the upcoming holidays
If you clean and prepare your home before the holidays begin, you’ll have a beautiful interior during the season.
● It can be cathartic
Cleaning and decluttering before the holidays come knocking can be a great way to prepare for what’s coming and wrap up a certain time period. It’s also great for getting rid of the stress, and you won’t feel like you have anything hanging over your head.
● Running into forgotten gems
Of course, you’ll dig up some old gems while decluttering that could be useful once you start decorating.
Pros of cleaning and decluttering after the holidays
There are some great benefits to cleaning and decluttering after the holidays.
● It’s easier to do everything at once
Since you’ll have to take down the holiday decorations and pack them up, you’ll kill two birds with one stone if you leave decluttering and cleaning for after the holidays.
● You’ll get closure after the holidays
Another great thing about waiting to clear out your home is that you’ll create a transition between the holidays and what comes next. It’ll be easier to start working and being productive if your space reflects that.
● You can make a guilt-free mess while celebrating
If you decide to clean and declutter before the holidays, you’ll feel conscious about ruining and disrupting the results of your effort. Leaving it for after will rid you of this.
If you decide to declutter and clean after the holidays, you won’t have to worry about making a mess while you celebrate.
Questions you need to ask yourself
If you find it hard to choose whether you want to declutter and clean before or after the holidays, here are some questions that could help.
● Are you planning to host?
If you’re preparing your home for guests, it might be better to clean and declutter it beforehand. However, if you’re going away for the holidays or spending them with close family and friends, you might want to put it off.
● How messy is your home?
The current state of your home is another thing to take into consideration. If your home’s clean and organized already, there’s no need to declutter it before the holidays are over. Simply set aside time to decorate and then deal with the mess later.
● How much time do you have on your hands?
Depending on your work schedule and how you plan to spend the holidays, you’ll probably have some time to dedicate to cleaning and decluttering.
Make a strict timetable
● Divide your belongings into categories
Before you do anything, no matter if you’re decluttering and cleaning before or after the holidays, make sure to divide your belongings into categories. It’ll be easier to organize and pack them.
● Create a list of chores
Make a strict list of all the big and small obligations you have.
● Get some help from your friends and family
Don’t try to do everything yourself; get your friends and family to help you. If you don’t have the time for cleaning and decluttering, you can always hire a house cleaner that’ll make your home spotless.
Donate anything you don’t need
If you find some useful items that you no longer need, why not donate them? There’s nothing that says Christmas more than a giving and generous spirit.
Store the items you want to keep
Apart from the items you’ll throw away and those you’ll donate, you’ll also find some you wish to keep but have no space for. Especially if you’re planning on decorating your home, you should find another place to store these things to avoid a mess. Renting out a storage unit is a great solution.
Clean your storage unit as well
Don’t forget that your storage also needs to be taken care of as much as your home does. If you’re leaving your belongings for a longer period of time, cleaning your storage unit should also be on your agenda.
Take breaks
One of the biggest purposes of holidays is to rest and regain energy for new challenges. Although cleaning around this time is important, make sure not to get burnt out. Especially if you’re cleaning with kids around, try to create a relaxed timetable and make plenty of time for breaks and rest.
Make sure to take many breaks and keep your holiday cleaning light. Going out to purchase a Christmas tree and decorations is a great way to unwind.
Declutter and clean before and after the holidays
Finally, if you simply cannot decide whether to declutter and clean before or after the holidays, why not just do both? What’s more, you can also clean during the holidays. If you think about it, you won’t even feel setting aside half an hour daily to clean and organize your home, and it’ll make all the difference.
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