I love Christmas. Everyone who loves Christmas loves the lights, the decorations, the gifts, the good will, the shopping ... you know ... Christmas.

But I must confess. I love Christmas being over. 

Oh, do I ever. Only 364 days ‘til the next one.

Now we are between and betwixt.

One more holiday to come. Leave the lights and tree up. Keep eating all those candies and cookies. But, in it all, know that there is an end. There’s a stop to all of this.

Normalcy.

And that, folks, is what makes the holidays special. There is an end, and routine returns for a while. 

So, let’s wrap our thoughts around the next holiday, New Year’s. After the football games, the cheese dip, chips, little smokies in barbecue sauce, buffalo wings, etc. After all of this, it’s time for the goodie door to shut. It’s assessment time. 

Let’s clean up our place. Put the tree and trappings away; make sure the sweets are gone! Put everything back in its place, and then? Let’s get rid of stuff. Let’s start the year by simplifying. 

Are you with me? 

Here’s my challenge. In the next 60 days, I suggest either giving away, or throwing away. Here’s a list to help you (and me):

1. Out of date magazines; 2. old recipes you don’t need; 3. unmatched earrings; 4. old CDs; 5. stretched out or scratched sunglasses; 6. out of date make-up products; 7. tattered makeup brushes; 8. worn out bras; 9. scarves you will never wear; 10. expired meds; 11. gifts you don’t use or want; 12. gloopy nail polish.

There. Take a deep breath. Here’s some more.

13. Make-up bags and purses you never use; 14. worn out sheets; 15. old pillows; 16. old phones;17. frayed or stained towels or washcloths;18. books you don’t need or will never read; 19. DVDs you don’t watch; 20. old school books; 21. belts you don’t wear.

One more list and we are done.

22. Old gift cards; 23. knickknacks that are just taking up space; 24. worn out or scuffed shoes; 25. old cellphone covers; 26. clothes you will never fit into again; 27. cleaning aids under the kitchen sink; 28. delete and unsubscribe to store emails where you never shop; 29. delete junk email; 30. delete bad pics; 31. screenshots and duplicates; 32. delete apps you don’t use; 33. get rid of extra sets of dishes, extra pans, pots, and cooking tools; 34. old picture frames; 35. games you’ll never play; 36. look under the bed. What’s there?

I feel lighter already, don’t you? 

If it’s worn out, not used, you have no sentimental feelings for it, nobody in your family wants it, then out the door it goes. Someone will want it. I’m sure you will think of more ideas than are here. 

Now. Go! Charge! Happy New, uncluttered, Year!

Judi Tabler lives in Pawnee County and is a guest columnist for the Great Bend Tribune. She can be reached at juditabler@gmail.com or juditabler@awomansview.