Dec 23 - End-of-Year Organizing: 8 Quick Ideas

Dec 23 - End-of-Year Organizing: 8 Quick Ideas - GON in 5 Minutes Newsletter

Published: Tue, 12/23/25

Updated: Tue, 12/23/25

Get Organized Now!

In Less Than 5 Minutes!

by Maria Gracia

December 23, 2025

GetOrganizedNow.com

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Pick one load of laundry and see it all the way through: wash, dry, fold, and put it away. Not five loads. Not the whole house. Just one complete cycle.

End-of-Year Organizing: 8 Quick Ideas

As the year winds down, this is a perfect time to gently reset. Instead of waiting for January 1st, use the final days of 2025 to tidy up a few lingering areas of your life. A little progress each day can help you step into 2026 feeling lighter, clearer, and more prepared.

1. One task a day: Count how many days are left in the year. On a single sheet of paper, list small tasks you’ve been putting off...one for each remaining day. Keep them realistic and doable. Completing one task a day adds up quickly and builds momentum without overwhelm.

2. Prep your new calendar: Whether you use a paper planner, a wall calendar, or a digital calendar, now’s the time to get it set up. Add known birthdays, appointments, trips, and important dates to your 2026 calendar. Color-coding still works beautifully, birthdays one color, appointments another, personal reminders another, so you can see patterns at a glance.

3. Catch up on laundry: If laundry has piled up, make it your end-of-year clean slate. One or two loads a day can bring everything back to zero. Bonus points for folding and putting it away right away so it doesn’t become tomorrow’s clutter.

4. Make a donation drop: Grab a sturdy bag or box and do a quick sweep of closets, drawers, and cupboards. Anything in good condition that you no longer use goes in. Schedule a donation drop-off or add it to your next errand run. This is especially helpful before the holidays...or before new items enter your home.

5. Weed out paper files: Choose one drawer or one small section of your filing system. Recycle outdated papers and shred what’s no longer needed. Even short, focused sessions can create noticeable breathing room and make next year’s paperwork easier to manage.

6. Reset your email inbox: Aim for “fewer,” not perfection. Unsubscribe from newsletters you never read, delete old messages you don’t need, and file or flag what matters. A calmer inbox makes daily communication feel far more manageable going into the new year.

7. Pause unnecessary buying: Before adding more (clothes, pantry items, hobby supplies), take stock of what you already have. Make it a short-term challenge to use what’s on hand first. This simple pause can prevent clutter from carrying over into the new year.

8. Organize your goals: Think about what you want to focus on in 2026. Write down your top 10 goals, then narrow them to your top 3 priorities. Clarity beats quantity. When the new year begins, start with the goal that will make the biggest difference and build from there.

On another note...
New Year, Ready for Anything: Simple Essentials to Start Fresh: Everyday items that support fresh starts, gentle routines, and a more organized, intentional year ahead.
Essentials for the New Year

Star or Angel? A Bit of Christmas History

The tradition of placing a star or an angel at the top of the Christmas tree has both religious meaning and historical roots. The star represents the Star of Bethlehem, which, according to the biblical account, guided the Wise Men to the birthplace of Jesus.

As Christmas trees became popular in Europe and later in the United States during the 1800s, stars were often used to visually “finish” the Nativity story on the tree, symbolizing light, hope, and direction.

The angel, on the other hand, reflects the angels who announced Jesus’ birth to the shepherds. Angels were especially common in Victorian-era homes, where symbolism played a large role in holiday décor.

For many families, angels represented peace, protection, and the idea of watching over loved ones. Some households chose angels because they felt more personal or comforting than a star.

Historically, neither topper was considered more “correct” than the other. In fact, early Christmas trees sometimes featured nothing at all on top, or were finished with simple bows, candles, or handmade paper decorations.

Over time, the star-and-angel tradition became popular largely because families enjoyed assigning meaning to the final decoration placed on the tree.

Today’s reflection: traditions evolve, and personal meaning matters more than perfection. Whether your tree is topped with a star, an angel, something handmade, or left beautifully bare, the choice reflects what feels right in your home...and that’s always enough.

Enjoying my newsletter? Please REPLY and let me know!

Also, please forward this newsletter to 5 of your family members and/or friends and share the love!

Here's what just one GON reader had to say...

"Maria,

I love what you're saying about traditions in your December 6th newsletter. My parents were really good about following them and I do, too.

My mom's father was from the Netherlands and her mother was from Germany and they both immigrated here in 1923 after WW1. It was hard though during WW2 because they both had family still living in each country. My dad's family was from Ireland.

I hope you and your family have a Merry Christmas!"

-- Diane

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As a valued member of my GON in 5 Minutes Newsletter, you get exclusive bonuses, PLUS unlimited access to all of my previous ones.
This month's featured brand new bonus is my...

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Monthly Organizing Checklist:
December 2025
Whether you’re hosting holiday gatherings, finishing shopping and wrapping, or planning for the new year, these small daily tasks will help keep your home tidy and your month peaceful and productive. Access my brand new December 2025 Organizing Checklist

Monthly Organizing Challenges:
Holiday Photo
Each day, snap a daily holiday photo that captures the spirit of December...twinkling lights, cozy nights, family traditions, sweet treats, snowy scenes, or anything that warms your heart. By the end of the month, you’ll have a collection of memories you can look back on and cherish long after the season has passed. Access my Holiday Photo Challenge

Last Month's Web Poll Results:
When Do You Start Decorating for the Holidays?
The responses came in from every type of decorator, those who start early, those who wait until December, and everyone in between. It’s always fun to see how different households kick off the season. Click here to access the results

New Web Poll:
What's the Best Smell of December?
With so many cozy scents filling the air this month, I thought it would be fun to see which one feels the most festive to you. What’s the best smell of December? Access the poll on my home page and cast your vote

"The new year is a good time to be forward-thinking about who you want to be; but it’s also a great time to look back at what you’re ready to let go of."
-- Esther Perel

I'd love to hear from you.

I LOVE GON reader mail! Whether it's a comment, suggestion, or just a note to say hello, REPLY to this email with a short note.

And remember...there's no better time to get organized, than to Get Organized Now!

Warmly,

Maria Gracia
GetOrganizedNow.com

How to Use This Newsletter

In this newsletter, you will find stories, ideas, inspiration, links and more to help you live a less stressful, more organized, more fulfilling life.

We encourage you to apply these ideas to your own life AND share them liberally with your family, friends, and fan base via email, on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, other social media outlets, and in person, of course!

When you share, please mention my name and web site - Maria Gracia - GetOrganizedNow.com as the source.

Thank you for helping to spread the gift of organizing far and wide!

-- Maria

Maria Gracia,

Get Organized Now!

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-- Maria Gracia

Get Organized Now!
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