Tip #1 Take out the trash
Always begin with the trash. You would be amazed at how much the clutter is actually trash. Take a bag and start walking around your home. Remove anything that is trash. If you are a holiday recycler, don’t forget a bag to collect any ribbons and bows you may find as you are making your rounds.
Tip #2 Put items back in their homes
If you take a look around, you will find many items, like socks, blankets, dishes, etc. actually have "homes" within your home. Send them there! But don't worry about doing the dishes right now. Keep the momentum going, and the chores that come later will actually be easier to tackle
Tip #3 Do a 10 minute declutter once a day for a week
They are quick, they are painless and they are amazingly effective. Grab a box or clothes basket (just love to use clothes baskets to declutter). Set your timer for 10 minutes. Start grabbing things that you can remove from a particular room. With a short timeframe like this, your focus will naturally be on things that you have little if any emotional attachment
Tip #4 Sort it out
After the holidays is the best time to sell or donate unwanted or unused items just sitting around taking up valuable real estate. 1-It can put come quick cash back in your pocket or contribute to the holiday credit card overload. And 2-donating after the holidays can do your soul some good and help with the stress level that has maxed itself out over the past festivities.
Tip #5 Get the family involved
When you are decluttering after the holidays it is important to get your family involved. If children are in the home it is especially important for them declutter their toy room themselves. They should already know that when new things come in, a few old have to come out. Allowing them to pack up the old toys will help them with the "loss" and also instill a sense of charity in them knowing that the toys that are leaving will be going to new homes to be played with by new children. Maybe to children that weren't as blessed as they were over the holiday season. It is amazing how much kids really want to help others if given the chance
Post-Holiday overwhelm can be quite a challenge. If you follow these few simple steps you will be well on your way to getting things back to normal and that house back in ready to show condition in no time!!