Saint Valentine Suggests

Here are a few simple ways to take the heartbreak out of Valentine’s Day and give that special someone in your life some space.

The Partner’s Promise instead of Chocolate

In every relationship, one person tends to be neat and the other messy. Some spouses even go so far as to enact the “don’t touch my stuff rule.” This Valentine's’ Day, make a deal with one another. With the promise of not throwing anything out,  give your partner permission to clean and organize those areas which are always cluttered. Create a space in the house for these items to live until your spouse can review them.

Say It With Flowers Minus the Vase

Everyone loves flowers, but with the many flower deliveries, households end up collecting an inexpensive vase for each petal. Choose to recycle, donate to Community/Senior Centers or give your excess vases to college students (they’re always putting flowers in empty beer cans).

 

Cute Stuffy, Not So Cute Clutter

Cheap stuffed animals and plastic heart mugs pile up every year. Why not give the gift that leaves nothing behind, such as a dinner out or an evening at the theater. Experiences last in our memories more than pink teddy bears falling apart in the closet. And don’t forget to leave the devices at home and enjoy one another's company interruption-free.

Simple Solutions to Make the Holidays Clutter and Coal Free

We suggest these easy steps to help manage the chaos that often accompanies the holidays. While you may not be able to control the kids the night before Christmas or keep your second cousin away from the spiked eggnog, you can minimize the stress of the season through these simple organizing techniques.

Gift Wrap

You've bought your presents and now It's time to wrap your gifts. Wrapping paper, tissue and holiday gift bags are one of the most commonly cluttered items we see in people’s homes. Although it is tempting to take advantage of the inexpensive gift wrap prices in the stores, first check the amount you have from last year. Most people already have more than enough in stock.

•    Bags: Sort through your bags, recycle the damaged ones. Figure out what you will need for your gifts using last year as a guide. Keep a few bags in each size and recycle the generic department store ones.
•    Paper: Think about how many gifts you wrap, knowing that most stores will wrap for charity. Pick your favorite design and let go of the ripped, wrinkled or poorly made wrapping paper, saving the tubes for use as light sabers.
•    Tissue: Discard your ripped tissue. Tissue is often inexpensive or on sale, so no need to stock up with a five year supply.

Playtime

If you have young ones at home, remember that all the relatives want a picture of someone ripping open a toy with glee. However, those new toys will soon join an army of old ones. Take a little time before the holidays to let go of toys which are broken, missing pieces or are age-inappropriate. Any toy that has sentimental value can go with the keepsakes and most can be donated to a local preschool, library or community center.

Be Realistic

Clutter comes in all forms, both tangible and emotional. Often people have many expectations such as putting on the perfect holiday party or displaying impeccable decorations. One of the best ways to deal with all those commitments is to manage them from the beginning. Focus on how much free time you actually have in the weeks leading up the end of December and not only budget your time but your money as well. Limits are important and it is okay to say no. When making plans set firm dates instead of “we should get together.” The holidays are a great time for collecting experiences instead of stuff (go see the Nutcracker instead of buying one).

Gifts That Keep on Giving (you a headache)

Thanks to free trade and the rise of plastic, toys are relatively inexpensive and easy to find. When you factor in birthday parties, the December holidays, carnivals, amusement parks and family vacations the sheer number of toys in one's household can be overwhelming (for more on this phenomena check my son’s bed). In addition to stopping the siege before it starts by switching focus from stuff to experiences, there are some easy steps you can take that will help eliminate a toy story with an unhappy ending.

Can GI Joe go in the microwave?

Find a time to recycle or throw away broken or soiled toys. Also, inexpensive toys with missing pieces should go. Any age-inappropriate toys should be taken out of circulation. Any sentimental toys should be sent to live with the keepsakes and out of the playroom.

The work of children is play

Watch how your child actual plays with toys and study their interests. Toys that you may think are cool often collect dust. Instead of a lot of unused toys focus on getting toys that your child will love. Take toys out of circulation and rotate them in and your child will think they are new.

A good home

While Goodwill does not take toys many places do. Preschools go through toys fast so help them keep up with demand. Used toys should not go to hospitals and check to make sure none of your donated items have been recalled. The VVA will pick up toys as well as most other donates you may have. Additionally, there are worthy places for your donated toys in Fairfield County.  

Overstuffed

Too Cute For Their Own Good

Like so many aspects of childhood, things are rarely good or bad often they are both. Nowhere is this concept acuter than when it comes to stuffed animals. Some call them plushies but my son calls them stuffies. Stuffed animals are soft, cute and perfect for squeezing. The challenge is that rarely does a child simply have one stuffed animal in their room usually they are legion. When a baby is born everyone wants to get the little bundle of joy his or her first teddy bear which results in multiple teddy bears before you even get home from the hospital. Another factor is that for the most part, stuffed animals are not expensive. The price factor creates an environment where most people tack one onto shower gifts and newborn gifts. Once you include all the animals from carnivals, amusement parks, and vacations kid’s rooms become zoos. While this zoo doesn’t require feeding and waste removal it does need a place for all the animals and that place is often the bed. The last challenge is in facing reality. Most kids do not actually play with stuffed animals they are decor.

Stuffie Solutions

One great way to deal with this cuteness crisis is to prevent it from starting. A good way to tell grandparents and well-meaning friends is to steer the discussion to medical issues. Newborns aren't supposed to have anything in their cribs when sleeping and too many stuffies collecting dust can lead to asthma. If you notice your child has one particular stuffy they love, buy two if you can in case of loss, dog attack or drool damage. If your child is old enough explain that there are many kids around the world that have no stuffed animals at all and help them pick ones to send to them. Local libraries often have donation drives specially for stuffed animals and there are many national campaigns. Lastly, some stuffies may be keepsakes and it may be time for them to leave the room and live with the other sentimental items.