Even though Christmas hasn’t made it here just yet, it’s important to prepare for the aftermath of the hectic few days that surround it. While the holidays are joyous, it’s easy to feel as if clutter has taken over your new Augusta home by the time the festivities are over. Here are a few strategies that you can implement to help clear the mess and start the new year off with a clutter-free bang.

• Holiday Shipping Box Challenge – For the best end-of-year clutter-clearing, take the Holiday Shipping Box Challenge. Each time you receive a package in the mail that contains a holiday gift, fill it with items that are suitable for a donation to charity and deliver them before the year ends. Not only will you be cleaning your home, but you’ll also be helping those in need. As an additional bonus, for everything you turn in before Dec. 31, you will receive a tax receipt that can be used towards your charitable deductions for the year.
• Get One Gift, Toss Two – Adopting this strategy can quickly clear your home of unwanted clutter: for each Christmas gift that you receive, remove two similar items. For example, if your children received new pajamas in their stocking, then find two outgrown pairs and donate them if they’re still in good shape. If they’re not worthy of a donation, it’s time to toss them in the trash.
• Send White Elephants Packing – Don’t let random “white elephant” gifts clutter up your new home. Store them in a closet for regifting later, but make sure to make a note of the original giver so that you don’t commit the ultimate regifting faux pas.
• Start Spring Cleaning Early – Why wait until the first hint of warm weather to start cleaning? Dedicate the final week of the year to organizing, cleaning and de-cluttering so that you can start the new year with a fresh space.
• Sort Before you Stow – Once you begin to take down this year’s Christmas decorations, take the time to sort through them and get rid of nonworking, old or unused items. Recycle or donate old items and repurpose stained linens as cleaning cloths.
• Create a Toy Library – Young children are often overwhelmed with all of the new toys they received during the holidays. Set aside older toys so they can rest and seem like new again after a few months. Place the older toys in a plastic tote or large storage bags and put away in the attic or a closet. By rotating the toys, you help to keep clutter at bay and encourage your child to appreciate all of their playthings, both new and old.

If you and your family have outgrown your current home and are searching for a new home in Augusta, Keystone Homes offers many options. From communities with homes priced from the $120,000s to custom homes built on your own land, this new home builder has a floor plan and price point to meet the needs of every family. For more information, visit www.BuildKeystone.com.