With Christmas’ arrival, along with all her gifts, it is the perfect time to declutter, clean, and prepare for the incoming tide of stuff. Don’t wait until Christmas evening! Decluttering before Christmas sets the scene for a more peaceful and enjoyable day.
Signs of Christmas are popping up everywhere I turn. Stores are full of red and green paraphernalia, houses are trimmed with lights, and my children’s Christmas lists are growing each week. As I anticipate the incoming toys, clothes, and so much more, I am filled with a panicky desire to purge.
This time of year, full of changing leaves and indoor-days weather, is the perfect time to take stock of our belongings, and let go of that which no longer serves us.
Five things to declutter before Christmas
- Toys. This is the obvious place to start. No matter how we try to reign in the amount of toys our children receive, we know that Christmas WILL bring more. Look for the toys that sit on a shelf, the toys that get dumped out of a tub and then left on the floor, and toys that simply don’t hold anyone’s attention for very long. For some guidelines on what makes a good toy, check out my post about Curating a Collection of Good Toys.
- Christmas Decorations. Practically speaking, November is the best time to declutter Christmas Decorations. If there is anything you are not using this year, and don’t imagine yourself using next year, just pass it along. This time of year, thrift stores will accept your Christmas/seasonal items. Come January, no one will want your old Christmas placemats.
- Winter clothes. Do you have coats that don’t fit? Too many mittens? Now is a great time to sell or donate these items. You have the winter clothes pulled out and can see what you have, and can pass them along before winter, when they can be of use to someone else.
- Unused gifts you received last Christmas. I know it can be controversial to suggest decluttering gifts. But the purpose of a gift is to show someone you care about them, not to burden them. When you opened that gift, you felt loved and thought of. Gift’s mission accomplished! If you aren’t using the fancy serving platter, or the not-quite-your-color sweater, just donate it. (Or regift it!)
- Unused/expired food. Before you dive into Thanksgiving and Christmas, and all the associated cooking, give yourself the gift of a decluttered fridge and pantry. Throw away expired food, of course. But also, give yourself permission to get rid of things in your pantry that you haven’t used and aren’t using. Donate them to a food bank if they are still good. Let someone else eat it!
Ways to include your children in decluttering before Christmas
- Make it a part of your yearly traditions. Kids love traditions and routines (I think we all do!). Sometimes the easiest way reduce the friction of a potentially undesirable activity is to make it a habit. Choose a certain day or week to be a “Get Ready for Gifts!” day, and pair your decluttering with anticipation for the new things to come. It is so much easier to get rid of things when you know more are coming.
- Add festivities to your decluttering. Perhaps you blast Christmas music, or dance music, or a family playlist. Maybe you make a big batch of Chex Mix, or another favorite holiday treat. There are countless little ways to add fun and celebration to your day of decluttering.
- Fill a box to bring to a women’s shelter, or other place of need. Christmas season is a great time to talk about and care for people who are less fortunate than ourselves. Rather than “getting rid of toys”, choose toys to share with someone else. Maybe you call your decluttering day “Toy Boxing Day”, or “Toy Sharing Day”.
- Pay your kids to declutter. If you really need a good hook to get your kids involved, why not pay them?! I first heard this idea from Dawn at The Minimal Mom, who will occasionally pay her kids to fill a box or bag with items they no longer need.
- Sell toys and share the profits! I haven’t yet paid my kids to declutter, but we have sold toys on Offer Up, and then split the profits between the kids. It was eye-opening for them to realize that selling a no-longer used toy can help fund a desired toy. Sometimes, these toys don’t sell, and we end up donating them. More life lessons to be had! Older children or teens could help clean/prepare items, take pictures, post items, and even converse with the buyer.
For More Ideas on Decluttering Before Christmas
Listen to this episode of Simple Farmhouse Life, in which Dawn (of Minimal Mom) talks about Decluttering before the holidays, and so much more about bringing peace and minimalism to the season. I always appreciate Dawn’s matter-of-fact thoughts on decluttering and living a more minimalist lifestyle.
Give yourself a gift this Christmas!
I realize, of course, that your to-do list is long and the days are short and you may think decluttering is the last thing you need to worry about right now. But in this season of hosting, spending more time indoors, and giving and receiving more possessions, it is a gift to have a more simplified space. Give yourself the gift of an easier-to-clean home and a more peaceful home this holiday season!