Our Purim collection grows bigger and bigger each year. This year as the Purim paraphernalia appears, sort through it and discard the garbage. Throw out old shaloch manos packaging from previous years. If you haven’t used it until now chances are you won’t use it again. This year purchase clear cellophane bags to package your shaloch manos. They are easy to manage, easy to store and they are a much more practical extra to hold onto throughout the year. These bags are appropriate for wrapping all kinds of gifts and baked goods on all occasions.
Any costume or accessory you haven’t used in a few years throw out (it’s probably ratty by now) or give away. FYI not all Purim costumes should remain as daily dress-up toys. Decide which costumes qualify to remain hanging out with your everyday toys and which should be put away and kept in good condition just for Purim. Discard any dried up Purim makeup. Create a Purim box for all the Purim paraphernalia you want to keep. Store all the random megillas floating around your house in the Purim box too. If you don’t have a file where you keep track of shaloch manos lists, ideas and Purim menus, keep this year’s lists in a folder in here too.
The less Purim clutter you have, the easier it is to find and use the items you actually want, and the better condition everything stays in.