What Do You Do?

...On the last day of the year? Most people seem to have their own traditions and rituals on the specific things that they do on the last day of every year and the first day of a new year. Sometimes it is influenced by religious beliefs, family traditions that have been passed down from generation to generation or just superstitions. Well, my mum happens to have a ritual that she makes us do on the last day of every year and it usually carries on to the first day of the year as well. On the last day, we do a thorough clean up of the house. By thorough i don't just mean hoovering and mopping the floors....Nope. This usually extends into the fridge, freezer, storage room, book piles and the scariest part...your closet. Mum doesn't even want to hear that your closet is already fine as it is because that kind of excuse doesn't cut it at all in my family. We usually start with cleaning the cars and then move to cleaning the carpet. She usually makes us remove it. roll it outside and give it a proper dusting! When you see us cleaning on the 31st you'd think that the Queen of England was coming to stay with us for a couple of days. Mum's theory is that when you get rid of all the clutter and unused stuff you've piled throughout the year, you make room for fresh things and new blessings when the tide of the New Year comes so you have to be prepared for it. We usually do a huge clothes donation during the first few days of the new year as well because we've managed to declutter our wardrobe and then wash all the clothing we're giving away before taking it to the church to give to those that are in need.

But of course, i haven't done this in years as i havent been home in years. But, i plan on doing something similar tonight. After cleaning my apartment, i'm going to go through my wardrobe and weed out all those clothes that i haven't worn in years and believe me i do have quite a few of those. I also have some items that are more of emotional purchases....some things that i bought after leaving the doctor's office in 2006 very upset. They all have to go because they always bring back bad memories whenever i see them. I'll be washing them nicely and sending them off to the charity shop next week when the shops open again.

Does your family have a similar tradition and do you plan on doing anything?
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