Letter from the editor: Making room for 2025

By Courtney Warren

I absolutely love the holidays. Spending time with my family and being cozied up in our house with one another is the absolute best. We also don’t have a very large house–and for that I am grateful, because it forces me to be intentional about the items we own. The holiday season always causes our house to get cluttered, because, throughout the fall, we have birthdays, anniversaries, and Christmas. With that in mind, I follow a strict process the week before we go back to school to ensure we start our year off on the right foot. As the festive glow of Christmas fades, the new year beckons with promises of fresh starts and resolutions. After the whirlwind of holiday activities, the idea of cleaning and decluttering might feel overwhelming. This process isn’t something to be accomplished in a single day–trust me, you will end up fighting. But turn on a Hallmark movie each day and get after it. I have started setting a timer for my elementary-age daughter to help her stay focused. 

Day 1: Gather Your Gifts  
The first step is to centralize all the new Christmas gifts you’ve received. Whether it’s toys, clothes, gadgets, or kitchenware, bring every item to one central location. This creates a clear starting point for organizing your home. Place them in a visible spot, like the dining table or a cleared section of the living room, to make sorting easier later in the week. Resist the urge to immediately scatter these items around the house—they’ll only add to the clutter.  

Day 2: Take Out the Trash
With your gifts gathered, grab a trash bag and embark on a whole-house sweep for garbage. This is the day to be relentless. Dispose of torn wrapping paper, broken ornaments, expired pantry items, and anything else that no longer serves a purpose. If it’s clearly trash or has no immediate place, toss it. The key here is to avoid hesitation—your aim is to remove anything that detracts from your home’s potential. That pile of stuff in a closet you swear you’ll get to? No ma’am, no ham, no turkey. It’s got to go. 

Day 3: Return Items to Their Homes
Now that your space is clearer, it’s time to focus on the items that do have a place. Start room by room, putting away everything that belongs there. Don’t set anything aside for “later”—make decisions on the spot, and return each item to its rightful home. This step will help you rediscover order and create a visual sense of calm in your living areas.  

Day 4: Declutter the Gift Pile
It’s time to tackle the central gift pile. Sort through each item carefully, deciding whether it’s something you’ll use, something to be stored, or something to donate. Assign a place for every gift—whether it’s a drawer, a shelf, or a bin. For duplicate or unneeded items, consider donating them to charity. By the end of this step, your holiday haul will have seamlessly integrated into your home.  

Day 5: Deep Clean and Reflect  
With the clutter gone, dedicate this final day to a deep clean. Vacuum, dust, wipe down surfaces, and freshen up your space. Light a scented candle or play soothing music to make the process enjoyable. Use this time to reflect on the week’s progress and the joy of starting the new year in a clutter-free home.  
By breaking the process into manageable steps, you can avoid feeling overwhelmed and, instead, enjoy the satisfaction of small victories each day. Now, light that Bath and Body Works candle and threaten anyone that messes up your newly cleaned house.