The glow of Christmas lights is fading, the kids are in a sugar coma, and somehow, every blanket in the house has migrated to the living room. Somewhere beneath the wrapping paper scraps and cookie crumbs lies your motivation – probably folded away with that laundry you swore you’d get to after the holidays.
Welcome to the no-man’s land between Christmas and New Year’s, where time doesn’t exist, and the house is just… full. Full of love, full of leftover pie, and very much full of laundry that won’t fold itself. If you’re anything like me, you’re wondering how to gently coax your house (and your sanity) back into shape without sacrificing the cozy chaos that comes with this season.
Here’s my step-by-step guide to navigating the beautiful mess of post-holiday life – with humor, grace, and a lot of snacks.
1. Accept the Mess – It’s a Season, Not a Sentence
First things first, let’s set realistic expectations. If your house doesn’t look like a Hallmark movie set, you’re doing fine. We’re embracing the “lived-in” aesthetic right now. That pile of blankets on the couch? Ambience. The glitter from Christmas crafts that somehow found its way everywhere? Seasonal décor.
Consider the laundry a guest – it’s been here for days, might as well get comfortable with it.
Pro Tip: If someone unexpectedly drops by, light a candle and call the clutter “festive.”
2. Leftovers: The Gift That Keeps on Giving
Who needs to cook when you can frankenstein meals out of leftover ham and mashed potatoes? Get creative – turn that turkey into tacos, and don’t underestimate the power of pie for breakfast. This is the week of culinary innovation.
If all else fails, charcuterie boards are just glorified snack plates. Toss some crackers, cheese, and random holiday treats on a cutting board and suddenly, you’re the hostess with the mostest.
Pro Tip: Serve leftovers by candlelight – it feels fancier and distracts from the fact that it’s day three of turkey casserole.
3. The Laundry Can Wait… But Not Forever
Ah yes, the laundry. If there were Olympic games for procrastination, I’d medal in “pretending I don’t see the laundry basket.” But eventually, it calls to us.
Here’s my advice: fold one load. Just one. If the energy strikes, keep going. If not, at least your family won’t be digging through Mount Laundry for socks on New Year’s Eve.
Make it fun – put on a podcast, binge-watch something mildly embarrassing, or bribe yourself with dessert after every pile.
Pro Tip: Convince the kids that folding laundry builds character. (Disclaimer: They won’t believe you, but it’s worth a shot.)
4. Out with the Old (But Maybe Just a Little)
There’s a strange urge to purge the house after Christmas, but let’s not get too carried away. Sure, the half-eaten gingerbread house can probably go, but do we really need to pack up all the decorations yet?
Declutter slowly – take down what feels right, and let the rest linger. There’s no rush to erase the magic of the season. I leave twinkle lights up well into January because they make winter feel a little less… wintery.
Pro Tip: Keep one small decoration up and call it a “winter vibe” instead of Christmas leftovers.
5. Give Yourself Grace
The week between Christmas and New Year’s is a weird, blurry space where time bends and naps are justified at any hour. Let yourself enjoy it. It’s okay if the tree stays up a little longer, and it’s perfectly acceptable to wear pajamas until noon.
This house may be full of love, leftovers, and laundry, but it’s also full of life. And at the end of the day, that’s the kind of full that matters.
So here’s to surviving (and thriving) in this cozy chaos – with a glass of eggnog in one hand and a laundry basket I’ll probably get to tomorrow.
Cheers to a home that feels like home, even when it’s a little messy.
Gratefully messy,
🖤BE🖤
