After Christmas: A Guide to Decluttering, Reorganizing, and Embracing the New Year

The holiday season may be over, but the opportunity for renewal is just beginning. Discover how to seamlessly transition from festive cheer to a clutter-free, organized new year with this practical guide to after Christmas decluttering and home reorganization. Unleash the power of a clean and serene environment to boost your productivity, enhance your well-being, and welcome the new year with open arms.

With Christmas in the rearview mirror, it’s time to put it away and get organized for fresh start to the new year. From putting away Christmas decor to organizing and decluttering my home, I love the opportunity a new year brings, don’t you?

Now that Christmas has come and gone, I’m ready to tackle the new year with a fresh perspective and great enthusiasm.

Are you ready for it too?

As the tinsel settles and the last echoes of festive cheer fade away, there’s a serene hush that descends upon our homes. It’s that lull between Christmas and the dawn of a new year, where we stand at the cusp of fresh beginnings.

So let’s embark on an after Christmas journey together with this guide to weaving the magic of decluttering, reorganizing, and embracing the possibilities of the new year.

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Setting Goals, Not Resolutions

Ah, resolutions—they often shimmer with promise at the stroke of midnight but fade faster than the winter sun. Instead, let’s talk about something more enduring: goals and how to set them.

Think of them as seeds you plant in the fertile soil of your aspirations, nurturing them as they grow and flourish throughout the year.

I’ve never been one for New Year’s resolutions, but I am a huge goal setter. I set goals for myself both professionally and personally. They are all attainable, reasonable and therefore, easy to meet.

How to Approach a New Year’s Mindset

1. Embrace Specificity: Goals thrive on clarity. Instead of vague resolutions, define concrete objectives. Want to read more? Set a goal to read a book a month. Yearning for better health? Aim for a specific fitness routine or cook healthier meals twice a week.

2. Create a Roadmap: Goals need a roadmap—a plan of action. Break down larger goals into smaller, achievable steps. Outline milestones to track progress and celebrate victories along the way.

3. Cultivate Flexibility: Unlike resolutions etched in stone, goals are flexible. Life twists and turns unexpectedly, so let your goals bend without breaking. Adaptation is the secret to sustainable growth.

Sure you can say, Oh I’m going to the gym 5 days a week. That’s a hard one to keep up with. While a great resolution, it’s not realistic to keep up with. Yes, I’m sure of you out there will, but most of us, will not keep up with it by the end of January.

So instead, set realistic, attainable goals for yourself. Like instead of “I’m joining a gym and going 5 days a week”, tell your yourself, My goal is to get healthier and more fit. It’s more of a concrete objective that allows you some flexibility with reaching that goal.

A Clean Slate: Decluttering and Organizing

There’s a serene beauty in a clutter-free, organized space. Donate things that no longer serve you and help others, while paring down your home so it’s easier to manage.

Picture this: a home where every item has a purpose, where peace dances in the open spaces, and where a sense of calm permeates every corner. That’s the canvas upon which we paint the new year.

1. Start Small: Tackling the entire house might feel overwhelming. Begin with one area—a drawer, a closet, or a shelf. Celebrate the small victories; they fuel the momentum for bigger changes.

2. The Joy of Letting Go: Channel your inner Marie Kondo and ask, “Does this spark joy?” Discard or donate items that no longer serve a purpose or bring happiness. Create space for the things that truly matter.

3. Organize with Intention: Organizing isn’t just about neatness; it’s about functionality. Find homes for items based on frequency of use and convenience. Labels, containers, and storage solutions can work wonders.

Transitioning Your Home From Christmas to Winter Decor

Transitioning from Christmas to a more generic winter decor can maintain a cozy atmosphere without feeling tied to specific holiday themes. Here’s a step-by-step guide to smoothly transition your home decor:

Step-by-Step Guide From Christmas to Cozy Winter Decor:

• Pack Away Christmas-Specific Decor: Begin by carefully packing away Christmas-specific items like ornaments, Santa figurines, and stockings. Label boxes to make next year’s decorating easier. I love using a label maker like this to make that task easier.
• Embrace a Neutral Palette: Remove the overtly Christmas-themed colors (reds, greens) and opt for a more neutral palette: whites, creams, silvers, and blues. These colors evoke the serene ambiance of winter.
• Focus on Natural Elements: Introduce elements inspired by nature. Think pinecones, birch logs, and evergreen branches. They add a rustic charm and celebrate the beauty of the season.
• Layer Textures: Layering textures can instantly transform a space. Swap out Christmas-specific textiles for cozy blankets, faux fur throws, and knit pillow covers in neutral tones.
• Add Warm Lighting: Dim the bright Christmas lights and introduce warm, ambient lighting. Candles, string lights, and soft lamps create a snug, inviting atmosphere.
• Display Seasonal Accents: Consider incorporating seasonal accents like DIY snowflakes, icicles, and frosted glass decorations for a winter wonderland vibe.
• Bring in Winter Florals: Swap out poinsettias and holly for winter florals like amaryllis, paperwhites, or arrangements of white roses. These flowers bring elegance and freshness to the space.
• Create a Cozy Nook: Rearrange furniture to create cozy nooks. Add plush rugs, floor cushions, and a throw blanket for a space perfect for snuggling up with a good book.
• Focus on Hygge Elements: Embrace the Danish concept of “hygge”—introduce elements that promote coziness and well-being. Think of warm beverages, soft blankets, and comfortable seating.
• Personalize with Art and Memories: Showcase winter-themed art, family photos from snowy vacations, or DIY projects that reflect the beauty of the season.

While putting your Christmas decor away, create an ambiance that feels inviting and soothing while embracing the charm of the snowy season before the arrival of spring.

After Christmas Ideas and Tips For a Fresh Start of the New Year

I don’t know about you but on New Year’s Day? All of my Christmas decor comes down and gets put away until next year.

There’s a lot too, so organizing it all now will make things easier for me when I decorate for next year. As I remove it, I like to declutter so I can start with a fresh space while transitioning to my winter decor.

I’m all about cozying things up when the Christmas decor comes down until it’s time for spring flowers.

So these after-Christmas ideas tips, tricks, and inspiration could not have come at a better time!

More About After Christmas Ideas and New Year’s Goals

Do you have any goals for the New Year or ways you like to declutter your home after the holidays. I would love to know more in the comments below.

And don’t miss joining my Gardening DIY and Decorating Community on Facebook for more chatter. And follow along there and on Instagram as well. There are behind-the-scenes daily things that I share on Instagram that don’t make it to the blog. Would love to see you there too!

If you prefer to binge-watch Bricks ’n Blooms on TV, we go more in-depth with tours and posts on my YouTube channel. Would love to hang out with you there!

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Thank you so much for following along.

Enjoy a beautiful day! xo

If you are new here, I’m Stacy, a self-taught master gardener who lives and gardens in northern New Jersey, zone 6a.

We recently moved to a beautiful 1850 Farmhouse with 10 acres of gardens, sculptures, and statues.

I’ve been gardening for over 20 years and enjoy helping beginner gardeners find their inner green thumb, as well as discover a love for all things plants and flowers. I love to bring the outdoors inside my home too.

I hope you enjoy visiting my home today and hope you come back so we can grow stuff and create beautiful spaces together.

Last year, we had just moved in so I didn’t focus too much on how my home looked for winter as we were really busy renovating the dining room, sunroom, front entry hall, and family room.

But this year?