Holiday celebrations often leave the home in a state of disarray with decorations strewn about, gifts scattered around the living room, and remnants of meals lingering in the kitchen.

But by employing a few simple strategies, you can restore order and start the new year on a clutter-free note.

Clean out your kitchen

Leftovers are great—at least until you realize they take up all the space in your fridge. Before you get too frustrated, toss anything that’s older than the USDA recommendation of three to four days. If you have any shelf-stable items you didn’t use, consider donating them to a food pantry near you. Also make sure to wipe down every surface to remove any crumbs or grease from the season.

Organize your holiday decor

Do yourself a favor and be intentional as you pack away decorations. Don’t just stuff everything into random boxes; instead, group like items and label each container so you know what it holds. This extra effort will help streamline the process for next year’s decorating.

Sort your gifts immediately

Go ahead and find a place for all your new gifts right away. This may require donating items you or your loved ones no longer need, but by taking this initiative now, you can prevent your stuff from piling up, which could otherwise keep your home in a state of chaos.

Do a deep clean

Once all the decor and gifts are put away, spend a day deep-cleaning your home. Dust every surface, and vacuum each room—you never know where pine needles, tinsel, or glitter may have ended up. Then reset all your surfaces by putting every item you moved or stored away for the season back in place.