8 Things to Throw Away and Forget About

"the books I have to read" by conejoazul is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Forget about spring cleaning - winter is the time to go through things and clean. You’re stuck inside, you may have extra days off around the holidays and you need to make room for all the things you received as holiday gifts. If you hate to throw things away, these items (courtesy of Apartment Therapy) are things you can get rid of and never look back!

Coffee Mugs: Many people mindlessly collect mugs, much like business cards or matchbooks. There are instant, affordable souvenirs to mindlessly reach for and/or to accept as gifts. Harmless enough gestures at the time, there’s no denying their tendency to linger without true purpose. You’ll always reach first for your favorite morning mug, and ignore the rest of the porcelain in the back of your kitchen cabinet.

Travel Size Toiletries: Are you one of those people who just grab the hotel shampoo and soap, and stuff it in your luggage, even if you don’t need it? If you have a huge stash that you’ve squirreled away somewhere, think about paring down the collection.

Old Medication: It feels weird to get rid of something that requires a medical license procure. Yet most pills in your medicine cabinet are woefully out of date, or you have no idea what they were originally prescribed for. I’m all for pushing the expiration dates beyond what’s recommended, but do toss the ones that are dated from 2005 or that you have no idea what they are.

Vases: These breed faster than rabbits, especially those generic FTD-type vessels that lack personality. If you’ve ever been gifted flowers, you know these are unwelcome interlopers amongst actual useful glassware.

Food Storage Containers: These are the refrigerator gifts that keep on giving. They are cheap to acquire, yet just precious enough to cling to — without realizing that you really, really don’t need as many as you have. Take a moment to get rid of extra lids, super stained plastic ones, and the ones you never ever use. (I’m just realizing that I have “favorite” Tupperware. Kill me now.)

Party Supplies: Paper plates, napkins, and candles hold such promise and are hard to resist - of a perfect evening with friends and convivial conversation, decorated just so. Host enough events and you find yourself overflowing with extras and odd men out.

Craft Supplies: Every DIYer and crafter's Achilles heel is that fabric stash, that beautiful yarn waiting for the perfect project, and your fifty types of glue. You have enough stuff to make until the Apocalypse at this rate, so time to cull the collection, use what you have, or get rid of it.

Books: Don’t worry about the classics, go for the cheap thrillers in paperback you have lying around — the ones clogging your nightstand and needlessly crowding your shelves. Most likely you won’t pick up these same books twice, especially in today’s digital age. Let go of that visual notch in your literary bedpost, and free yourself from housing an entire library.

5 Things to Take Care of Before Your Holiday Travels

"Stuttgart Airport at dusk" by Andrei Dimofte is licensed under CC BY 2.0

The time is almost here for those long-awaited days off and heading out of town for the holidays! Of course you’ll remember to pack and wrap all of the presents, but there are some things to take care of before you leave that are probably at the bottom of your list, if they’re even on there at all. Don’t forget to take care of these quick tasks, courtesy of Apartment Therapy, before you leave town!

1. Clean out stinky spots

The trash cans (not just the kitchen one — think about cans in your bathrooms, office or bedrooms), dishwasher, fridge and coffee maker can all be nightmares to come home to if they've been left full of stuff to rot and get stinky while you're away. Empty them all out before you go, but also give them a quick swipe to clean them.

2. Security check

Doors, windows, garage door — are they all closed and locked? Are blinds and curtains closed? Are you leaving a car at your place? Make sure you don't have any valuables in sight. Leave a light on or check your light timer. Can you go a step farther and lock gates to your home and other entrances, too? Make a quick sketch of your floor plan and all the things that need locking, and make check marks as you walk around the house. You can keep that sheet with you as you get on the road in case you get any of those "did I lock that?" feelings.

3. Save energy and protect from damage

Unplug all your electronics. Check the heating system and your water heater — are they turned down low to save energy? Even consider shutting off the water lines to your washing machines to avoid leaks or accidents while you're away. Make sure all your appliances are turned off like the stove, oven, coffee maker and others.

4. Water plants

Give all your green lovelies a nice long drink before you go, and move them to the optimal spot in your home — where the best light is and a spot where they won't get cold drafts (if that's something they wouldn't like).

5. Make sure your neighbors have the info they need

If your neighbors are watching your home for you while you're away, make sure they have keys to everything, phone numbers (and alternative numbers) to reach you if there's ever a problem. If they're watering plants, make sure they know how much and when to do it. Let them know if you'll need the garbage cans brought in or to the curb. Typing up a quick FAQ sheet to leave for them is often helpful.

Surviving the Holidays on a Budget

"Wrapped Christmas Presents" by m01229 is licensed under CC BY 2.0

The holidays are a hectic time of the year for everyone, but if you are shopping on a budget, the holidays can become even more stressful. From dining out more with friends who are in town, to shopping for presents, to paying for decorations, these expenses can add up quickly. So how do you balance your regular budget with these added expenses and still manage to have a “happy holiday?” Try these tips from Apartment Therapy:

Alternative Holiday Days: Look, nothing says you have to celebrate Thanksgiving on November 27th, right? If it's ridiculously cheaper to travel right before or right after a major holiday, encourage your loved ones to shift the celebrations accordingly. And if you can make double-pay working on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's, consider it. Pie will still taste delicious on November 28th, and your friends might still be up for Hungover Brunch on January 2nd.

Be Upbeat But Firm About Your Plans: Whatever you decide to do for the holidays, whether it's traveling to see every single member of your family or working overtime or finally watching Sherlock, let everyone know with confidence. Exclamations can help, as can repetition and "we're done here" type closing statements. "We'll be staying in town this year but we can't wait to hear all about the festivities. Please send photos!" Or, "this is an exciting time of year at [Employer] so I'm unable to get away in December— have a fabulous party!"

Holiday Office Hours: Announce to friends and families something like "We'll be home on New Year's Day if anyone would like to stop by!" This makes it clear to one and all that: 1) You would love to see them and are available to do so; 2) The holiday visiting ball is firmly in their court; 3) They shouldn't expect a formal spread. If you're making muffins for breakfast or chili for dinner, maybe make a double batch, but if I took friends up on such an offer, I wouldn't really expect to be served anything. I'd probably bring homemade treats and a bottle of something, and feel incredibly grateful for their company.

Be The Spokesperson For Your Generation: This is a tricky one, but it can be done. Sometimes things are done in families because they've "always" been done that way, but the generation that put those traditions in place might have been very different than your own. If your aunts and uncles always gave gifts to all of the kids but it's not feasible for you and your peers, institute a name-drawing system, or eliminate gifts altogether and focus on games and crafts. Similar changes can be made with regards to travel, venue, level of opulence, and luxuriousness of the feast. Did your aunts always drive themselves crazy making huge meals, but you all would love Christmas Eve takeout burritos? Do it and don't look back.

Create A New, (Nearly) Free Tradition: A friend told me a sweet story about how her friend's dad didn't have a lot of money so he would take the girls on weekly winter Christmas Light Patrols. They'd drive slowly and cozily around the neighborhoods complimenting and critiquing all of the lights, for the low price of not-much-gas. Winter Walks and Holiday Hikes are free!

Be Prepared For A Guilt Trip— But Stay Strong! No matter how gracefully you handle matters, there's always going to be someone who gives you a hard time for having to work through the holidays, not being able to afford plane tickets, and/or wanting to stay home. Take it as a sign that they love you, but don't let their bad manners get you down. It's wonderful to be able to spend the holidays with loved ones, but if you can't handle it for whatever reason, that's okay, and it's nobody's business but your own.

Eat & Drink On Your Company's Dime: I know company holiday parties get a bad rap, but sometimes they're so fun! And if you like your coworkers, so much the better: you might not all figure out another time to get together and celebrate (who has the time or money?) so why not feast, dance, and drink top-shelf liquor for free? Get festive, focus on your friends, and leave when it's not fun anymore. Pro tip: some companies allow you to bring a guest, thus doubling your friend-fun potential!

If You Only Have $5 To Spend On Decor, Spend It On String Lights: Seriously, whatever else is going on in your life/budget, sparkliness will help. Plug those babies in every evening from now until whenever the sun comes back, and let them help your heart be light.

Make Do With What You Have: As the Christmas Squid taught us last year, you don't need fancy, holiday-specific accessories to have festive fun— and I hope you have lots of fun.

Host a Holiday Happy Hour

"Cocktail anyone?" by Dana Moos is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Whether you’re hosting Thanksgiving or want to have friends and family from out-of-town over for a gathering, happy hour is the way to go! Why? It’s cheaper, more casual and less stressful - especially if you’re cooking Thanksgiving dinner, too. Follow this advice from The Kitchn for a happy Happy Hour!

1. Buy your appetizers.

The last thing you need is one more recipe to make! Pick up some shrimp and set it out with a quality cocktail sauce. Buy some nice pickles and ask a friend to set them out with good crackers. Keep it easy.

2. Ask someone else to bring the appetizer.

Or, instead of buying the appetizer at all, delegate your most prompt and on-time friend to get to your house a little early with a platter of something tasty.

3. Pitcher cocktails are the way to go!

If you want to go past beer and wine, then don't just set out a few bottles of booze. Make a pitcher cocktail the night before; no mixing, no shaking, and very festive!

Get a recipe: Perfect for Thanksgiving: 9 Fall Sangrias

4. Keep the appetizers very light.

Think crunchy and cold, not savory and hot. Think pickles, not cheese balls. Think shrimp, not hot dip. For our California Thanksgiving Outdoors we made some simple boards or relish trays with pickles, light chickpea dip with fresh vegetables for dipping, and some crackers. All very easy and pretty! Read some more of our readers' favorite Thanksgiving appetizers here:

Thanksgiving appetizers: What Are the Best Appetizers for Thanksgiving Day?

5. Designate a host to keep an eye on appetizers and drinks.

Last but not least, you shouldn't be refilling ice buckets or sangria pitchers while trying to make gravy. Designate your partner or a friend to play host and make sure everyone is having a good time with a glass topped off.