Just the other day I received a postcard in the mail from our local charity asking us for donations of clothes, house wares, decorations, appliances, etc. I thought what a perfect time of year to clean out the house, and at the same time I can take stock of what decorations I have and can use for the upcoming holiday celebrations. So, in the next week I will be cleaning out closets and drawers, packing things and boxes, and setting out the goods for the charity organization to pickup from my porch. Could it get any easier? Even if you do not have a scheduled pickup coming soon to your neighborhood, click on the links at the bottom of the article for a few charity organizations and you could easily schedule a pickup. Clearing out space in your home feels good and it brings a new energy into your living space. Below are some ideas on how to go through each room in your home and clear each space.

1. Clear out one room at a time.
If children are old enough to clear out their rooms, enlist their help. Start with a room that is not too cluttered or overwhelming. I like to start with my bedroom, because in my house that is the room that is least cluttered. First, I go into my closets and look at each item of clothing. I ask: Have I worn it recently? Will I wear it soon? Is it still in date? Or is it out of style? Does it still fit me? If I do not need the piece of clothing I will toss it in the box. Also, remember to go through drawers and dressers. Do you have socks or underwear that you just don’t wear or don’t have a match?

2. Kitchen Areas
Check to see if you have broken items or unused items. Nothing clutters up a kitchen more than a bread maker that is taking up a whole cupboard. Look in food cupboards and get rid of items that are old and expired. Check kitchen utensils to see if they are broken or need to be replaced. Or, perhaps you don’t use them at all and they can be donated? While you are decluttering, take the opportunity to wipe all of your cupboards down to free them from dust.

3. Living Areas
Family rooms and living rooms can be multifunctional. Ask yourself what main activities you do in each. If you watch TV or listen to music then go through your DVD’s and CD’s to see if you can donate some that you do not watch or listen to anymore. Do you have a family computer in that area? Sort through drawers and organize what is in there. Browse your bookshelves and see if there are books that you can donate. Do you have old games that the family does not use anymore? Consider donating them.

4. Play Areas
If you have children, a dedicated play area is always changing as the children grow up. Spend some time with the children in that area and watch what they play with and what they do not play with. Are there toys that are simply not used because they have outgrown them? Or are there toys with missing pieces or that are broken? Clear some space for new items that the children are surely to receive this Christmas.

Do you have an art area that needs organization? Clear out old crayons, pencils, and markers. Invest in some baskets to keep these items separate.

5. Bathrooms
Look in your medicine cabinets and properly dispose of old and expired products. At the same time do some light cleaning of the shelves. Do you have older towels that are not being used? Consider turning them into rags.

6. Basements and Attics
Oftentimes basements and attics are our storage ground for things we no longer use but do not want to get rid of just yet. These areas might be the hardest areas to clean out. Take a long hard look at the boxes you have stored. Are they seasonal items or just things you do not use any more. Ask yourself some simple questions. Will you use it soon? Are they sentimental and why? Are there clothes that someone else could use at this very moment? While it is nice to keep some clothes for sentimental value, think of our hard economic times and families struggling to keep themselves warm.

Think of all the space you can clear out by simply giving away those items you don’t really need anymore. The feeling you get from clearing this space is one of satisfaction and reward. Then think of all of those families that can benefit from things you don’t use anymore.