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Before the year is out

(32 Posts)
MawBroon Mon 31-Dec-18 12:25:49

My mother used to make a thing of clearing everything before the new year, dealing with correspondence, bill paying, clearing the washing and ironing, hoovering and tidying. I suppose making a fresh start to the new year.
I feel the same urge to “clear the decks”
Anybody else?

GrannyGravy13 Mon 31-Dec-18 12:34:32

I have the clearing urge also Maw, have sorted the fridge, my handbag (it was like a cross between a toy shop and a bin!!!) .

Would be taking down decorations but have a very dear friend for lunch and a sleepover here tomorrow so trying to keep the festive spirit alive for another couple of days.

Emptied laundry basket and I am going to tackle the ironing mountain when I sign off of GN.

Happy healthy and peaceful 2019 MawBroon ??

Elegran Mon 31-Dec-18 12:38:08

I have just submitted my tax return. Getting it done before 21 Dec is over this year is a first, usually I am doing it in the last few days of January. It feels good.

Marthjolly1 Mon 31-Dec-18 12:42:46

Yes me too. I had all the windows open on Sunday to blow all the Christmas 'cobwebs' out of the house and bring some fresh air in. This was followed by a good spring clean through the top floor, everything nice and shiny there now. Yesterday cleaned out fridge and even threw out some leftovers (that rarely ever happens). I am dying to take the decs down but holding off for a couple of days. Then a right thorough clean of the downstairs. So therapeutic.

Stansgran Mon 31-Dec-18 12:43:25

Same here. Added to which I'm having a knee done shortly and just don't want anything hanging over me. Washing machine is gasping for mercy. I don't take the tree down until Twelfth Night and the only decorations are crib, cards and candles.

mcem Mon 31-Dec-18 12:54:12

That tradition has been in the back of my mind but I've resisted the temptation to do much! Shades of a Scottish childhood, eh?
Gran always rushed to complete anything she was knitting, otherwise it would never be finished!
I remember one Hogmanay evening when Mum announced that she'd forgotten about the kitchen curtains she'd meant to wash. Down they came - were washed, ironed dry and rehung by 8pm.
Christmas tree and decorations remained in place until the first foots and New Year visitors had called in over the next few days.
If I put my mind to it today could I clear the ironing (not much of that) and then finish knitting a shawl and a pram blanket? Then there's the big sweater which will spend its 3rd Hogmanay on the pins.
Sorry Gran!!

A guid new year tae ane an a' and mony may ye see!

EllanVannin Mon 31-Dec-18 13:05:12

Indeed I do MawBroon----it's all in my head to get cracking, it's the body that's holding me back. Gotta' start somewhere though.

Grammaretto Mon 31-Dec-18 13:22:08

Indeedy! I've just been and joined queues of cars at the local tip with mostly cardboard waste and bottles
DD came for Christmas and went through her old bedroom at long last and there are more black sacks to dispose of.
I think it's also this mild weather but we are told it's about to snow so better be prepared .
Happy New Year too!!

BBbevan Mon 31-Dec-18 13:22:31

No tidying jobs, but I will be updating my new calendar tomorrow. I will put in all birthdays, anniversaries etc. I am very superstitious about doing it before Jan. 1st. Don't know why !
We sorted the fridge and freezer yesterday and took down the tree, decorations and lights. Looking forward to 2019 and I hope it is a good one for all.

Alima Mon 31-Dec-18 13:30:49

I know I used to use this time off work to clear out and generally tidy when only the weekends were mine. Maybe I still do, defrosted one of the freezers yesterday and made a start on window cleaning. Definitely feel more energised now. Bl..dy Christmas is past and there is new life in the garden. Never thought I would actually look forward to January!

rockgran Mon 31-Dec-18 13:51:15

I've just backed up my computer - washed the kitchen floor and had a good clear up.

Teetime Mon 31-Dec-18 14:00:10

Oh yes all done. admin up to date, all cleaning done, washing done, decs down etc etc. I'm ready bring it on - the champagne I mean.

Brunette10 Mon 31-Dec-18 14:01:13

It's so refreshing to read these posts I thought I was the only one who had my house spotless for the bells ringing at midnight. I have always cleaned the whole house, front door step and path washed, brasses on the door done (no longer have them thank goodness), washing done, ironing done, new cushion covers on etc. The list is endless. It was a very hard day but it made me feel good that our home was ready for the start of a new year. HOWEVER, when thinking about it yesterday it occurred to me that after New Year's Day dinner with family is it really worth my while and effort. Ive still not made my mind up confused Does this mean I'm getting old?

Mamissimo Mon 31-Dec-18 14:03:10

Last January I promised myself that I would loose 2st this year.....better get started! ?

Jane10 Mon 31-Dec-18 14:04:55

I never have a cleaning urge! Mind you I hate leaving jobs undone so I'm usually up to date on all admin type things.

Grammaretto Mon 31-Dec-18 14:08:46

* Mamissimo*
tchgrin

Alygran Mon 31-Dec-18 14:13:06

I have washed my car!

Day6 Mon 31-Dec-18 14:17:26

We are still in Christmas mode here really, because a) I am a 12th nighter and always have been, and b) we have had people popping in and out since Christmas, including an overnight stay of the GC. They've just gone and the house is quiet now and we miss the noise and fun - and we have just had a tidy up after them! We had a good clean before the decorations went up in early December and we have stayed on top of it. We have relatives coming to stay later this week, so we have have done a mini clean up every day more or less to save us any mammoth efforts before they arrive - and they get the benefit of my time-consuming (OTT) Christmas decorating efforts too! The house looks very cosy with greenery, candles and garlands everywhere, freshened up this morning by OH bringing in some branches/sprigs from the garden. Decorations and tree come down next weekend.

It will look bleak to me when it all comes down.sad

Day6 Mon 31-Dec-18 14:20:45

Ooooh Brunette a brutal reminder tchgrin- the house is clean and tidy but the washing and ironing has REALLY built up! I have tried to forget about it with my out of sight, out of mind policy! shock

Lollin Mon 31-Dec-18 14:31:22

Oh no i knew i would regret having a break! Thank you for reminding me the car still needs washing alygran. I also knew I should not have reached for an extra biscuit to dunk in my tea masissimo tchgrin

annep Tue 01-Jan-19 20:06:02

My mum and my husbands mum insisted on everything spotless for end of year. All the girls had to help of course. You had to start the year with the house as you would like it all year. I don't do it. never did. silly tradition. You should clean when you need to.

Jalima1108 Tue 01-Jan-19 20:16:07

Yes, but I overcame the urge and went out instead.

The washing and ironing were done but I have noticed some dust around.
Out again tomorrow, so it will have to wait - must do it before I have guests at the weekend.

Jalima1108 Tue 01-Jan-19 20:17:38

What happened to New Year's Resolutions?
eg finish the knitting projects
clear out the junk
clear out the fridge
clean the house
?
There will be nothing left to fill the dreary days of January!

janeainsworth Tue 01-Jan-19 20:33:09

No, I don’t get the urge till after all the decorations have come down, which won’t be till Twelfth Night.
It’s the only time of the year when I feel I can relax and stop worrying about whether things are in order or not.

Jalima1108 Tue 01-Jan-19 20:36:37

Quite right janeainsworth!

6th January is soon enough, although I may flick a duster around and clean the loos before the visitors arrive on Sunday …..