Clearing up the Christmas clutter
It takes no less than a small army of helpers and countless hours of preparation (and an ample supply of duct tape and glue) to prepare for family holiday celebrations. From hoisting outside lights and pinning mistletoe overhead, to marathon-like shopping trips and speed-wrapping gifts; it’s a wonder the tasks get done in time! Yet after all the celebrations have finished, the eggnog carton is empty and the reindeers have left – it’s time for some heavy-duty household clean-up! This guide will show you how to pack up, recycle and return the home to its natural splendour.
Wrapping it up!
If mountains of torn gift wrapping paper have started to collect dust bunnies in your home – chances are it’s time to tidy up. Here are some ways to help you and your family plan a strategy to pack up the decor. Starting as early as the week after New Year’s, hauling down the Christmas tree and dissecting the light cords can begin!
• Start the packing process with the ornaments by grouping each into categories such as: fragile, glass or special collections. Give kids their own box of non-breakable decorations to wrap for next year. Use acid-free tissue papers to deter discolouration, and keep all breakables in hard cases (shoeboxes can easily hold 3-5 medium sized baubles). Label the contents in each box or colour-code boxes if you have multiple trees to decorate.
Tip: Use egg cartons to store Christmas tree balls, and keep bubble wrap close by for delicate pieces.
• Untying tree lights can be a painstaking task. Group coloured lights and single-coloured lights separately, and outside lights together. For packing, if you cannot navigate through the original light packaging, try tying light cords around an empty paper towel roll to keep it tidy.
• Artificial trees can be as prickly as a real spruce! Wear worn leather or close-pored gloves for extra-tough pines. Use yarn or twine to tie down sticky branches and avoid possible scratches while opening the box next year (trees can shift while being moved into storage). Wrap the tree base and place it inside with the tree, making sure all the nuts and bolts are inside. Finally, tape the set-up instructions to the outside of box to avoid mishaps next year.
• For any remaining household odds and ends, create a scavenger hunt where kids seek out remaining pieces like holiday candles, tea cozy’s or serving platters. Kids can pass them to the parents to wrap up as they find the remaining pieces!
• Store all boxes and supplies in a dry area of the house that’s free from any possible water damage (like leaky pipes or hidden drains).
Waste Not, Want Not
The holidays are as much about giving as they are about receiving, as we reflect and think consciously about our environment there are many ways to give back to Mother Nature during this decadent time. Here are some ideas to help you and your family give back by recycling some of the resources used during the holidays:
• Watch for local recycling listings to determine what your neighbourhood waste management centre can accept and keep these in a visible location (fridge or home office).
• Most resource centres can accommodate the following items: greeting cards (and envelopes), paper gift bags, wrapping paper and rolls, shopping catalogues, cardboard boxes, paper egg cartons, pop cans and bottles, aluminum trays that have been rinsed thoroughly and wine bottles (some beer or liquor stores can accept these in some provinces).
• Organic food recycling is available in some areas, which can help reduce the amount of waste leftover from entertaining.
• Local tree recycling is usually announced to areas ahead of time, be sure to mark the appropriate dates.
Planning Ahead
Consider some alternatives for next year’s planning to help reduce overall waste produced by holiday decorating.
• Purchase generic wrapping paper to wrap gifts as-needed throughout the year (great for crafters and kids). This reduces the amount of holiday-specific ribbons and bows needed too! Or use the comic pages of the newspaper for gift-wrapping (it’s both recyclable and funny!)
• Decorate a potted plant rather than a traditional Christmas tree, the plant can stay in your home throughout the year and this eliminates having to purchase an artificial or real tree altogether. Or if you do purchase a new tree each season make certain to mulch, compost or recycle it through your neighbourhood waste disposal.
• Sift through your greeting cards and pick out the most meaningful ones. Consider making a scrapbook, and besure to recycle the others!
• Consider re-using gift bags for the immediate family to use for gift exchanges year after year.
Being organized and environmentally conscientious for the holidays starts where you left off, just as opening up holiday boxes neatly packed with all the memories of years past can present as much of a surprise as the gifts bring themselves.