by Theresa Ann White

Created on: December 18, 2010

There are about a dozen days during Winter Break to accomplish a big batch of small jobs around the house. These range from decluttering to decorating and each can be completed within a few hours to a full day.

Before starting, always organize. List those projects in order of priority. Then create a separate list for each one, and itemize the products, time and tools needed.  Now it’s time to start. Here are a few easy projects to complete during Winter Break.

Declutter, Donate and Sell

Estimated Time of Completion: One Day

With a New Year approaching, it’s perfect the time to throw out the old and make ready for the new. But wait; don’t just toss those unneeded items into the street. Donate clothing, small household appliances, bedding, tools, books and other dated articles to the local Goodwill or shelter for abused women and children. Or if there’s a few bucks to be made, have a yard sale. The extra income will certainly help during the holidays.

Decluttering can be restricted to a single room such as the home office or bedroom or to specific objects such as clothing or children’s toys. Start early with a large trash bag and move forward with courage. The temporary pain of parting will be replaced with the satisfaction of an orderly room.

Paint Party

Estimated Time of Completion: One Day

Host a paint party. Call on friends, family and neighbors to accomplish this home project. Select the room or area to be painted, collect all supplies, prep the area, and let folks jump in with the rollers and brushes. It’s amazing what can be done with a little help from friends. Be sure to keep the volunteer painters engaged with eggnog and holiday treats. After this paint project is completed, top it off with a rewarding dinner. Serve leftovers turkey and ham sandwiches to the carnivores and black bean burritos and enchiladas to vegan friends.

Outdoor Maintenance

Estimated Time of Completion: One to four hours

Winter weather has struck, so take time to pretty up the front entrance to the home. Remove dead branches and leaves. Trim back bushes. Bundle up debris and leave it bagged at the street. Sweep the front porch or driveway. Fight back inclement weather by making the front entrance of the home inviting and lively. Replace worn mats with new ones that welcome visitors and enliven the home.

While working outdoors, show some consideration for backyard birds. Hang bird feeders and top them off with a supply of seeds. Offer a variety of food at different heights to attract a range of species. Hang suet feeders. Don’t forget to provide a source of water. And, build a bramble of branches for safe havens while birds visit.

Quick Fix-its

Estimated Time of Completion: One to four hours

Finally, use the Winter Break to tackle those odds and ends that were sidelined during the summer season. These quick fix-its have been annoyances but never reached the stage of necessity. Now is the time to take care of them. Replace light bulbs with energy efficient CFL bulbs. Change out that water-guzzling toilet with a water-saving flush system. Tie-back the innumerable cords and cables attached to computers and printers. Waterproof and paint the picnic table. Clean fan blades and scour baseboards. Change out air filters and room deodorizers. Get those windows squeaky clean and launder the curtains.

This list could go on and on, and is proof that time’s a wasting! Start those projects now.

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