New Year is a time of Auld Lang Synes, of new sets of resolutions and of parties, parties and more parties. But more important than all the merry-making and the revelries is the feeling of renewal that the New Year brings with itself. It is an opportunity to cleanse the mind anew, to rid one’s heart of excess baggage, and to allow one’s spirit to lift once again. Completely related to this “spiritual” renewal of course is the physical aspect of our lifestyles. One cannot hope to feel rejuvenated or renewed if one’s surroundings are cluttered or teeming with last year’s junk.

Clean up after your parties. Everyone enjoys the countless bottles of champagne and the mountains of hors d’oeuvres and holiday fares of New Year celebrations. Also, most wouldn’t even think twice about setting off the next party popper. But what not all partygoers are fond of is the cleaning that comes afterwards. However, it’s easy enough to clear up the party mess—vacuum all confetti and streamers, clean all your reusables, and all disposable items should go to the trash bag. Remember that the less disposable items you throw, the more environment-friendly your party was. Keep all your decorations for the next big bash you’re going to throw. Moreover, let all your good friends stay afterwards to help you clean!

Spring cleaning…not! Forget spring cleaning and start your general home shipshaping as soon as the New Year starts. There’s no better way to begin the year than to have a living space that is spotless. Be sure to clean every nook and cranny of your house, especially spots you don’t usually clean: dust all corners and ceilings for cob webs; clean the door jambs, window sills, the inside and the outside of windows, your walls and your doors; make sure to scrub kitchen cabinets and appliances and that backsplash behind your stove; wash your ceiling fans and have your heating and cooling systems cleaned by a professional; most importantly, rid your refrigerator of those disgusting age-old food items you left there since last year’s New Year’s party. And when you do this New Year spring cleaning, make sure to use only safe, organic and natural cleaning solutions like those from BabyGanics. Your family’s health and well-being is another thing you’d want to invest in for the New Year, so you better start by sparing your home of toxic chemical cleaners.

Clean up your finances. Of course you also have to prepare yourself financially as the New Year steps in: Don’t go overboard with your holiday expenses; make sure to pay off your credit card bills and short-term loans from friends; work out your tax issues (if possible with an accountant); assess your financial gains and losses from last year; and set up a clear budget for 2010. The last one means planning out the expenses you know are due on specific dates, as well as setting aside a clear amount for variables like medicines, clothes, food and others.

Cybercleaning. Cleaning for the New Year also means cleaning your cyber or virtual space. Now is the time to clear your computer desk of all the junks you accumulated over the last year. Clean your hardware and have the faulty ones repaired. Update your computer browser and software and clear your emails, bookmarks and social networking sites of non-essential items.