Right now we are dealing with a form of clutter.  It is not the usual.  It is all the presents we are wrapping.  It doesn’t bother us so much because the wrapped gift is in our home temporarily until it is given to to the person it is intended for.

 It also seems where the presents are wrapped are on the Dining Room Table.  Many just set up shop there and then when it comes to dinner time many are eating in a chair in the Living Room or standing by a counter in the Kitchen.  In any case it is going to be something that we don’t normally do in our usual schedule eleven months out of the year.

Fast forward the day after Christmas.  You have gotten several presents because you were good this year.  That is great!  Now, where will they go?  Flylady says, “If you bring something new into your home, two or more items need to be decluttered.”  Yet we don’t do this do we?  We overlook this because we have moved on to our New Year’s Resolutions.  Then when it comes time to practice the first Monthly Habit of the Year, “Shining Your Sink”, we don’t think we have time to do this.  We have all these presents we got and need to find a place for them.  This is where we set ourselves up to fail.  It isn’t intentional.  It is like clutter, it grows.  It is that “Catching Up” mentality that we have been doing for so long.  Why not stop this in the coming year!  How will you do it?  By looking at the presents you got for Christmas and ask yourself these questions:

1. Do I Love This Item?
2. Will I Use It In The Coming Year?
3. Is It Really Garbage?
4. Do I Have Another One That Can Be Blessed To Another?
5. Should I Really Keep Two?
6. Does It Have Sentimental Value?
7. Or Does It Give Me Guilt And Make Me Sad When I See This Item?

You owe it to yourself to do this.  It really won’t take that long to do.  Set your timer for 15 minutes.  It is a decision you need to make.  If not, those presents you got will end up on your Dining Room Table and you will still be eating dinner in the Living Room or standing by a counter in the Kitchen.  Try to keep yourself from bringing this year into next.  Ask yourself those seven questions and answer them by implementing them.  Then when it comes to begin practicing “Shining Your Sink” the goal will seem more approachable.

Christmas Wrapping Center 2011.  Will It Still Be Here In 2012 With Gifts We Received?