CHECK OUT THESE DOWNSIZING TIPS

In between the holidays and seasons is a great time to clean and organize. Depending on the stage we are in, this might mean corraling the Legos or sorting through a thousand photos before we had the iPhone (our digital photo album). Winter is a great time to sort the contents of our basements, attics, garage and closets.

Do you know why?

Spring welcomes garage sale season. Yes Facebook Marketplace is popular to sell “one-offs.” Or load up your car and drive to the nearest Goodwill.

But the social aspect of a garage or tag sale brings out our inner sales schtick.

Downsizing does not necessarily mean a move. It might just be the need to clean. Here are my favorite downsizing tips.

TIPS FOR DOWNSIZING

The great news is that these tips work for spring cleaning. So if you have no plans to move, these tips work for all of us!

Or share this with someone ready to downsize.

CATEGORIES NOT SCATTER-GORIES

I like to focus on a few key categories. Let’s do this together! Please email me or comment below with suggestions to add to this list.

HOLIDAYS

A few winters ago, I decided I needed eight yards of snow-covered lighted garland. When the box arrived, I opened it and uncovered the cheapest, crunchiest-looking garland.

The only singalog was “haul out the holly” to the donation center.

So to practice what I preach, I started with that garland. I suggest you start with the holiday immediately behind you or the one ahead.

The following winter, I bought pink nylon Valentine wreaths, cardboard hearts, and pink and purple tulle garland at Hobby Lobby.

I decorated my porch like this friend’s Midwest porch.

However, by the end of the week, my porch looked like it was in a burlesque show on Bourbon Street with pink and red netting blowing in the wind.

I decided my neighbors did not need to see the tulle flapping in the February winds.

I added the Valentine theme netting into the donation box.

WREATHS

How many wreaths do you own? Invest in one or two identical boxwood wreaths and add a sign or bows to introduce the season or holiday.

I donated my unused floral wreaths to Goodwill and kept these exterior boxwood wreaths and two indoor boxwood wreaths.

If you are not ready to part with your wreaths, try this idea.

CLOTHES

Raise your hand (or leave a comment) if you pull something out of your closet and put it back in the closet or drawer.

. Have you heard of the 80/20 rule? We wear 20% of our clothes 80% of the time. That leaves a lot of sweaters, denim and JCF collared shirts to donate.

I have a Mascarpone color winter coat and I keep it because I love the orange scroll detailing in the lining. Yes, the lining. And then there is the other question to ask yourself- does it still fit?

Tip: If you have a spouse who wears a sweatshirt you want to add to the Goodwill bag, but you’re wondering whether he’ll miss it try this tip.

Temporarily store it in a discreet location, and if he doesn’t ask about it after three weeks, put it in the Goodwill bag. Then wait a wee bit longer depending on the season.

If it goes unnoticed, it is good to go!

DISHES:

Just like Julia told us to save the liver, save your favorites. I love the ceramic baking dishes at Crate & Barrel. White dishware works year-round, but do I need eight casserole dishes in a rainbow of colors?