BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM The holidays have arrived, bringing with them guests, gifts, and bright decorations. But, before you drape your home with tinsel or set out that magnificent tablescape, there is one critical step you must take: tidy. A little preparation now can save you a lot of stress later. Barbara Brock and Ashley La Fond, professional organizers, are here to help with expert ideas for dealing with often-overlooked spots and items. Their advice will make your holiday home both inviting and efficient. 1. Ditch non-seasonal décor Start your holiday season refresh by getting rid of the year-round clutter on your shelves and countertops. “If you add holiday décor to existing decorations, it will appear cluttered with conflicting themes,” explains Barbara Brock, a professional organizer and home stager. Instead, store non-seasonal items in a bin until the holidays are gone. This easy step makes room for your festive accessories to shine. Furthermore, it gives your home a coherent, deliberate appearance. 2. Check your holiday essentials Reviewing your holiday inventory early will help you avoid last-minute panics. Brock advises: • Check holiday tree ornaments and lights. • Inventory your holiday candles. • Make sure you have adequate gift wrap, ribbons, and tape. •Make a list of meals and beverages to serve when hosting. If anything is broken or running low, now is the time to discard or replace it. Streamlining your holiday stash also frees up space for new stuff, ensuring you’re completely prepared to impress your guests. 3. Prepare your coat closet (and more) It’s easy to neglect your foyer or coat closet until guests come, only to discover there’s no space for their jackets. “Clear out your front closet, mudroom, or add a rolling rack with lots of empty hangers,” says Ashley La Fond of Of Space & Mind. Pro tip: Don’t stop with coats. Declutter your shoe racks to make a place for boots, and store any out-of-season shoes to keep the area tidy. 4. Refresh children’s toys and clothing The holiday season often brings an inflow of new gifts for children. That makes now the ideal moment to clear their rooms and closets. “Review kids’ clothing and toys to see what they have to wear for the holidays and in anticipation of them receiving new items,” according to La Fond. Donate gently worn items to local organizations to make room for new treasures while also providing a relaxing, structured atmosphere for children. 5. Inspect table settings and dinnerware Before you prepare your perfect holiday dinner, make a list of your dining essentials. Brock recommends starting with textiles: check your placemats, tablecloths, and napkins for tears or stains. Repair, replace, or renew as needed. Then switch to dinnerware. Inspect dishes, bowls, glasses, and mugs for chips or cracks. A swift audit ensures that everything is in tip-top form, so your tablescape will impress your guests for all the right reasons. Quick tips for last-minute decluttering If the holidays sneak up on you, don’t worry—these tactics will help you fake a flawless home: • Prioritize surfaces. “Clearing off surfaces will have the biggest impact,” adds La Fond. Use a trash bag to dispose of goods and a container to temporarily store items. • Concentrate on public areas. Brock recommends clearing shared areas first, such as restrooms, living rooms, and guest bedrooms, before moving on to less visible regions like closets. • Use bins for quick fixes. If guests are only a few minutes away, Brock recommends storing superfluous items in an empty container or closet for later sorting. Adopt a decluttering mindset A one-in, one-out rule will help you keep your home organized after the holidays. “Commit to a certain amount of storage for each holiday and be intentional about what you keep,” recommends La Fond. Store all holiday items in one location for easy access the next year. By following these guidelines, you can create a serene, gleaming house that is ready to welcome guests and spread joy. So grab your supplies, put on your favorite holiday soundtrack, and begin decluttering—it’s a gift your future self will appreciate.The post 5 pre-holiday decluttering tips for a stress-free season first appeared on The Optimist Daily: Making Solutions the News.

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Colombia made a historic move to protect its youngest citizens by prohibiting child marriage. After nearly two decades of passionate campaigning, the Colombian Congress passed legislation prohibiting marriage before the age of 18, closing a 137-year-old gap in the country’s civil code. This decisive action makes Colombia one of only 12 Latin American and Caribbean countries that completely outlaw child marriage. The legislation, known as “They Are Girls, Not Wives,” is the culmination of 17 years of tireless advocacy by human rights organizations and policymakers. Jennifer Pedraza, a congressman for the Dignity and Commitment Party and co-author of the bill, praised the accomplishment. “Colombia is making history because, for the first time, we have managed to ban child marriage after trying eight times,” Pedraza told reporters. “This is a great message for Colombia and the world. Colombian childhood is important; we have to protect it and care for it.” Addressing a long-standing issue For decades, Colombia allowed minors to marry with parental authorization, with informal unions recognized after two years of cohabitation. These loopholes made girls particularly vulnerable to abuse and exploitation. According to UNICEF, one-fourth of Colombian women marry before the age of 18, with one million marrying before the age of 15. This statute directly addresses a damaging legacy associated with poverty, gender inequality, and deeply entrenched cultural norms. Marta Royo, executive director of the NGO Profamilia, stressed cultural expectations for young girls. “We live in an extremely patriarchal society where there is a deep division between what a man wants and a girl wants,” she explained. “It is totally normalized to make girls of 12, 13, 14 not just into wives but into mothers.” Regional and global implications Colombia joins Honduras, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic in establishing a regional precedent. As Sandra Ramirez, adviser for Latin America for Equality Now, noted, “Eliminating these exceptions aligns Colombian law with international standards and guarantees the full protection of the rights of girls and adolescents.” Even after decades of social progress, Latin America has one of the highest rates of child marriage in the world. Poverty and machista (male chauvinist) culture often perpetuate the practice. Colombia has taken an important step toward eliminating this systemic issue by finally banning child marriage. Empowering the next generation Child marriage has long been associated with early pregnancies, school dropouts, and domestic violence. Girls who marry early are frequently denied the freedom to determine what they do with their own lives. Senator María José Pizarro highlighted the law’s transformative potential, saying, “These girls abandon everything—their studies, their life projects. The possibility to construct a life for themselves and their children ends completely.” To guarantee that the legislation leads to actual, meaningful change, it also requires measures that address the underlying causes of child marriage. These include educational campaigns and community involvement efforts aimed at changing cultural views. Overcoming challenges The path to passing this bill was far from easy. Advocacy groups encountered strong criticism from those who believed that parental rights and cultural norms should take precedence. Representatives from some of Colombia’s 100+ Indigenous communities raised concerns about how the bill would interfere with their rituals. Despite these challenges, the bill passed after five hours of heated debate in Congress. Its accomplishment highlights the value of ongoing campaigning and a dedication to aligning national laws with global human rights standards. A call to action Colombia’s victory demonstrates the determination of human rights defenders and policymakers who fought diligently for nearly two decades. However, as Ramirez pointed out, “This is a historic moment, but a lot of challenges remain ahead. Public policy now will be crucial, as a change in legislation means little without effective implementation.” To make this shift a reality, Colombia must place girls and adolescents at the core of its policies. By amplifying their voices and providing education and resources, the country can create a future in which every child is free to dream and flourish.The post Colombia outlaws child marriage in landmark move first appeared on The Optimist Daily: Making Solutions the News.

Here is a part of the Thanksgiving story you may not know!

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