Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Flip

1 2 3

Original poster

I am sorting my house out before Christmas....

61 replies

Thorilicious · 01/12/2021 22:30

I have decided that I am having a good sort out of every room, and clean it. I've been so busy with work, kids and my mental health that the cleaning has been on the back burner.
So far, I have done the main hallway (coats/shoes etc) and the conservatory. Hoping if I put it on here, I'll have some accountability!

OP posts:

WhoUsedMyName · 01/12/2021 22:33

I love a sort out although it's never ending when I got the Xmas decs out I sorted the loft!! I feel we have to many clothes in our house

twocandlelady · 01/12/2021 22:40

I’ll join you OP!

I’m determined not to be still cleaning and tidying in the last week of December this year.

Only problem is if I start too early it’ll need done again before Santa comes!

Bootsnshoes · 01/12/2021 22:44

Good work OP. I think it's a great time of the year to get a clean and sort in to prepare for the onslaught of decorations and more stuff.
I attacked the living rooms, hall, stairs, landing and kitchen today. Bathrooms got blitzed last night when I couldn't sleep. Floors cleaned and polished this afternoon and hope to get clothes to charity tomorrow from the growing pile.

LittlestLightOnTheXmasTree · 01/12/2021 23:38

I'm doing a bit of painting as well. Sanding and painting a door on my day off

Bit of general diy too.

StrawberrySanta · 01/12/2021 23:46

Well done!! Wish I could join you, we need to clear clutter from each room and give it a spring clean but I have a almost 3yo and a 10mo and it's impossible to get anything done during the day, and by the time they're both in bed, I'm knackered! I have 4 bin bags of baby clothes in our room to sort and bin/ take to charity/list on vinted but just never get round to doing it 😭

justasking111 · 01/12/2021 23:53

Been at It a month now, have Amazon prime on my phone so sort of rewatching listening to old episodes of Charmed. Sorted out the conservatory where we have Xmas lunch. Decs out of loft and stored in there. Today I used the carpet cleaner, have been doing a kitchen cupboard one at a time, checking dates on food. Condiments, herbs. Four bags of clothes to charity, one trip to recycling center last month.

Glentheredbeakbattleostrich · 02/12/2021 07:02

This is my weekend job! Starting at the top of our (4 storey) townhouse and working down.

GoodnightGrandma · 02/12/2021 07:05

I keep waiting for DH to help me sort out the loft, but I’ve realised that I’m going to have to do it myself when the weather gets warmer.
I’m going to put it into the garage, then hire a skip.

Vampiricouncil · 02/12/2021 07:07

That’s so good op.
Putting decs up this weekend so going to have a good clean/sort too.

Naughtynovembertree · 02/12/2021 07:33

I'm hoping to start this weekend op. I made myself get on hands and knees and pick up random pieces of paper that have been there for weeks! Small steps.

Fairylights25 · 02/12/2021 07:35

I had to start early as I have a party here tomorrow night. House is looking very together, and decorated.
Working on nicer things now like walking my dogs more often in the fresh air, building in self care every day because I find December really exhausting.

Helpstopthepain · 02/12/2021 07:51

I need to do this!

SomethingBeginningWithX · 02/12/2021 07:53

This is a great idea although will it not be a mess again before the end of the day Christmas?

Or are you doing less heavy traffic areas that can stay tidy?

I do feel inspired to do something, I have 3 kids, one is a newborn and the house is beginning to really unravel now DH is back at work!

GlitteryApples · 02/12/2021 08:25

Ive been doing this since the summer

My room is still the dumping room but everything is generally much better, I also got a cleaner once a week so everything is hoovered and dusted and cleaned and it’s made a massive difference. I wanted to do TOMM but I didn’t have the time

Camomila · 02/12/2021 10:07

I will try and join in too. On my non working days I have a toddler at home though so only really manage the basics!

senorafridgidaire · 02/12/2021 10:55

I'm currently scrubbing alll the grouting on my kitchen floor, and it's not the smallest kitchen. One of those jobs that is satisfying and horrifying in equal measure, and now I've started I have to finish it. Going to be a loooong day!!

SmellyOldOwls · 02/12/2021 11:03

I'm trying to do this too but with a 4 year old and a baby it's slow progress.
Only this morning I emptied and put away DS Trick or treat bucket which has been sitting on the kitchen counter since Halloween

Chocolota · 02/12/2021 12:02

Funnily enough I've just sat down for a cuppa to have a break from what's turned into a massive house clear up.
Have been off work sick for a few weeks now and just started tidying and decluttering a few small manageable areas initially.

Shoe and coat cupboard done, 3 big bags full to go to charity shop. Shoe cupboard in garage done, another bag of old toys gone to charity. Playroom and office are in progress - have new desk set up, 2nd kallax unit built, shelves ready for dh to put up, toys and games need sorting to make room for guests to use sofa bed. So much random stuff from when the kids were tiny, some i still use for teaching sen, but all mixed up from things being so hectic during lockdown.

Still to do are dd2s clothes, my wardrobe and our bedroom which always ends up last on the list. One freezer sorted, need to do other ready for Christmas food. Plus need to clear garden a bit, next door's oak tree has shed all its leaves in the last fortnight and ive not had the energy to sweep any up.

Have to say inspiration and motivation has come from plenty of daytime tv watching like clean it, fix it, sort your life out and even filthy house SOS - last week when my dizzy spells and fatigue were really bad all i could manage were a 5 min sort out in each ad break, but it made a difference and I've got the bug now - determined to relax and enjoy quality family time at Christmas and not keep spotting piles of stuff that need sorting.

maofteens · 02/12/2021 12:40

Well done! We've moved recently and I'm doing house renovations and can't face the mess sometimes. Boxes I should unpack etc. I did clear the kitchen and dining room only to then get the Xmas decs out - another pile of boxes until we get the tree.
I do have a Declutter lady who I use sometimes - I feel like it's paying for motivation!

justasking111 · 02/12/2021 13:18

Just to say if you're on Facebook find your local selling page for toys as a granny I have bought quite a bit, I have also sold it on to other grannies just asking they donate to our local hospice. I've got rid of baby walkers, pushchairs this way and bought Lego, firemen Sam etc

Chocolota · 02/12/2021 13:48

Yes our local fb page is perfect for rehoming decluttered stuff. Last week i advertised couple of Christmas jumpers and they were snapped up in 2 mins. In the washing machine at the moment i have a wise man and sheep costume ready to advertise this afternoon and have some hardly worn dance shoes and props from a dance show ready to go too.

Original poster

Thorilicious · 02/12/2021 14:36

@SomethingBeginningWithX. I am doing the bits of the house first that I put to the back of mind any other time. Today for instance, will be the downstairs to toilet that will be having a sort out...

OP posts:

mynameismaybe · 02/12/2021 15:40

I did my big clean today in prep for the decorations going up tomorrow. I've discovered that the new sofa we got earlier this year means that I now don't have my usual space for the Christmas Tree!
So I'm now panicking & trying to re-design my entire (very small, already cramped) livingroom to wedge a tree in somewhere. I suspect I'm going to fail

Lady1576 · 02/12/2021 15:43

strawberrysanta you may well have the same life as me. Really need to sort those baby clothing boxes, and tidy under the stairs, and get decorations out…..

happytoday73 · 02/12/2021 16:09

Ah OP good luck... I've spent a 45 minutes to an hour each evening and 3 hours a day each Saturday & Sunday for the last 2 weeks seriously sorting out the house and garden. Glasses to opticians for recycling, charity shop drops, tip runs etc...

I've now finished 😁so had cleaners in today to do a deep clean and the oven while I'm at work. It feels fantastic and great for putting the decorations up.

Enjoy!

Flip

1 2 3