Preparing Your Custom Closet for Stress-Free Holidays

Declutter and Donate

‘Tis the season for giving back! While donating feels great any time of the year, there’s something more special when you do it during the holidays.

So, where do you start? First, determine criteria for what you want to donate. For instance, maybe you decide to give away anything you no longer use or wear. Goodwill says that items you haven’t used in six months or more are prime candidates for donation. You also don’t need to hold onto clothes and accessories that no longer fit.

Items should be in relatively good condition, so the next person can enjoy them just as much as you did. Consider creating a donation box for accessories and clothes. The additional space will come in handy for holiday items. Plus, you’ll have room for new clothes and shoes if you’re gifted any during the holidays.

Involve the Family

The holidays are a time of family togetherness. You probably take family photos, decorate the holiday tree, watch seasonal movies, bake, and unwrap gifts together. One more family activity to add to the list this time of year is decluttering your custom closet.

Sure, it’s not as fun and glamorous as the above activities, but it has to be done. Involving your family in the organization process can make it more enjoyable, especially if you incorporate gamification elements.

Plus, you can use this as an opportunity to showcase the value of sharing responsibility to control overall family stress. Allow everyone’s voices to be heard, relying on their input when deciding how you’ll clean and where. The more hands on deck, the faster the entire process goes.

Maintain a Clean and Tidy Closet

Since your schedule is often so jam-packed around the holidays, consistency is key in keeping your closet organized. You only need to set aside about 10 minutes a week for organization if you’re consistent. Yes, just 10 minutes!

Let’s explain which tasks to prioritize. First, you should focus on putting items that you took out of your closet back in the correct spot. This might sound easy, but many people overlook this task or forget.

We also recommend taking part of that 10 minutes to clean. Keep a storage bin (or several) and a cleaning cloth handy, so you can quickly wipe down your closet surfaces. A broom is also good to have, so you can clear the dust bunnies from the corners of your closet.

Organize Holiday Items

Do you use your closets for keeping holiday items when they’re not in season? Gradually, the items get buried at the back of your closet until the time comes when you need them again. However, then you’re forced to excavate the décor and other holiday essentials from way deep in your closet.

Here’s what we suggest doing instead. Set aside a designated part of your custom closet solely for holiday items. This can include everything from gifts to outfits and decorations. Maintaining a specific spot for them will prevent your holiday items from migrating toward the back of your closet.

Make that designated area efficient with labeled boxes and bins. This way, you can quickly find what you need, so you can be on your merry way.

Plan Outfits in Advance

The holidays are the ideal time to make your neighborhood your runway as you sport your most sparkly, bright, and cheery looks. However, last-minute party invitations can leave you scrambling and wondering what to wear, especially if you’re in the middle of laundry.

Don’t let yourself get caught unaware. Plan your outfits ahead of time, so you can always be ready for anything the holidays have to throw at you. Use hangers and valet rods to organize your outfits for the next several days or even the entire week.

Check the weather to ensure you dress to impress and create a checklist of necessary accessories that take each outfit from ordinary to extraordinary.

Utilize Storage Solutions

Lastly, we recommend embracing efficient storage solutions as often as you can throughout the holiday season. Options, like pull-out drawers, hanging organizers, and shelf dividers for accessories, can maximize the closet space that seems too difficult to come by during the holidays.

Now is an excellent time to begin using vertical storage for your closet if you aren’t already. Adjustable shelves or hooks can also help you keep your items neat and your closet floors uncluttered.

Here’s another helpful holiday organization tip: seasonal clothing rotations! Keep your most coveted, current items at the front of your closet, and tuck away offseason items further back or higher up.

Conclusion

Happier holidays start with an organized custom closet. Reduce your stress by keeping your closet clean, donating old items, setting up a specific spot for holiday items, and planning your wardrobe. You’ll be ready to enjoy every moment with a neat closet to back you up.

Source

• https://www.goodwill.org/blog/5-ways-to-tell-its-time-to-donate-your-clothes