Tis the season to be de-cluttering. Thought you all thought I was going to say Jolly. :-)
Well I do wish for the Jolly but I want to stress the de-cluttering.
This time of the year we give gifts and we receive gifts. Some of the gifts we really like and others well we could really do without.
Now before grabbing all those gifts and shoving them in the closet take a hard look at what you already have. 
What you all ready have a dust buster? and now you have another one !! Decide if you want to return the new one (Good luck) without a receipt and get half the money the gifter (think I made up that word) paid for it. Toss out or donate the old one and get a income tax credit for it (my favorite is donating things that work) Or a really fun thing is to thing of who really needs one and put it away for re-gifting during the year. Put a tag on it so you know who its for AND MARK YOUR CALENDAR for that person birthday that you already have the gift.
Great time to be singing Whistle While You Work and enjoy.
Dump that closet that's always been too full. Throw everything on the bed from your closet. Put them in stacks of sizes. Yes we all have severl sizes in our closet. Toss out the ones that are too big because none of us want to go back there. Toss out the ones that are several sizes smaller than what we are wearing. Let's face it, no matter how many New Years resolutions we make to exercise and loose weight, it's going to take time to get there. Time means style changes. 
The clothes are ugly by the time we get down to the weight we want to be AND when we get there we deserve new clothes.
Get your kids in on the action. Have them dump their toys out and decide which one are complete. Which ones they haven't played with in a long time and are still good for donating and which ones need to go out the door. This really makes the kids feel good when they know that their toys are going someone else for someone to play with.
Oh right, they are all collectibles. Right. They are only collectible when you are buying them. Not when you are selling them. I know because of all the estate sales The truly great toys like Lego ...keep for your grand kids.
Pretend you are moving and do you want to pay someone $$ for shipping things that you haven't used for years.
Now go out there and make this time your Boxing Day. Box things up and get rid of them. It will make you want to sing. Tis the Season to be Jolly Fa La La La La La La
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jolly?
Before I start de-cluttering I will have to pick up the mounds of discarded boxes and ripped wrapping paper.
Tis a season to be jolly..Thanks for your comment...Best to you in Real Estate in 2010 and HAPPY NEW YEAR !!
Yes Daniel it's jolly and de-cluttering and organization
Malcolm, isn't it a shame the amounts of paper etc that we go thru at this time of the year. It's really pretty though
Gary, you are welcome
Great advice, Virginia. Tackle the closets and "stuff" now, rather than adding the new to your old and having to deal with it all in the future. It feels so good to clean out and get organized. By including the kids you are setting a good example for their future behavior!
Good ideas, Virginia! I plan to tackle a closet or two -- and for sure several drawers -- this week!
Nothing like starting the new year with a clean slate and de-cluttered house! There's something so liberating about discarding "stuff"!
One drawer a day is how I'm getting through! Happy New Year - Julie
Great advice. New Year is a super time to set goals and aspire to attain them.
I like your approach Julia ... one drawer at a time, nothing too big and overwhelming to start and once you pick up the momentum you'll me amazed at what you will achieve!
Happy New Year!
Sharon, you are so right. It just feels good to get rid of the STUFF
Maureen, hope you have stuck to that. My bathroom drawers were full of makeup that I'm sure would have been bad to put on my face. I don't know how long that stuff is good for but I think anything over two years is out the door.
Barb, you are right. I'm feeling liberated. Now how do it get my husband to do the same?
Julia, One step at a time. One drawer at a time.
Liz, this time of the year when business is a little slack and we can be a little lay back is a great time to do it.
I jsut spent the morning do just that!! Happy New Year Virginia!! Cheers!!
Always makes me feel better and accomplished to clean out "stuff" and start over! Looks better too!!