This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Goodwill of North Georgia. All opinions are 100% mine.

Simple Ways to Declutter Your Home Before the New Year

The holiday season is finally here. In the midst of planning for guests and parties with your family, now is the time to declutter and clear out your home before the festivities. I know I don’t want to go into the new year with my home in disarray, so I will be putting these tips to use.  

Three Decluttering Tips to Get You Started 

1. Go Room By Room – It can be overwhelming to make the decision to declutter your entire home at once. Start by going through each room and decide what you want to keep, and what you would like to give away. This method will make things much easier and less stressful. Maybe tackle the first floor on the first day, and then the second floor the next day. 

2. Get Rid of the Things You Don’t Use – If you haven’t worn that sweater in two years, you most likely won’t wear it for two more years! Pass it along and put it with the things you want to give away. This isn’t only for clothing. This also goes for household items that are only taking up space in the pantry or on the kitchen counter. If you aren’t using those items, pass them along. 

3. Take Your Gently Used Items to Goodwill – Every season I aim to organize my home, and I pack up several bags to drop off at my neighborhood Goodwill. Did you know that all proceeds from items sold at Goodwill go towards putting people to work? The items you find at Goodwill aren’t only for those who are thrifting or looking for inexpensive finds. This year alone, Goodwill has helped 20,000 people in North Georgia find work. This means your donated items are really going to a good cause.  

Remember that every donation you make to Goodwill is also a chance to reap tax benefits. 2015 is almost coming to a close, so make sure to drop off your charitable donations before the year ends. Goodwill of North Georgia is celebrating it’s 90th birthday! That means 90 years of putting people to work in North Georgia. I’m happy to know that when I drop off my donations, that I’m supporting a great cause. My home is clean, and I feel good knowing that I’ve assisted someone in supporting themselves and their families. 

If you’d like to donate to Goodwill this season, click here: Donation Locations. Put these tips in place and you’ll be all ready to focus on the time spent with your family this season. 

What other steps are you taking to prepare for the holidays? Have you ever made a charitable donation to Goodwill? 

Ashley