As you open your trunks, boxes, and storage bins of holiday décor this month, take this opportunity to look at your inventory and consider minimizing holiday clutter. Perhaps this year is your chance to finally get rid of the things that are broken, unused, unloved, and unwanted.
Holiday Clutter to Instantly Minimize
- boxes of items that haven’t been opened in years
- all those stubby, half-melted candle nibs
- front-yard ornaments and inflatables that need repairs
- bulbs and bobbles that no longer give you joy, that are ugly or scary
- all those broken, burnt-out lights
- string lights tangled beyond repair
- cards and gift wrap from past years
- crumpled bags and tissue
- CDs you no longer listen to
- decorations you didn’t put up last year and probably won’t put up this year
Also, take a few minutes to declutter the holiday items in your kitchen, such as unused holiday baking supplies, rusty cookie cutters and cake pans. It will make your holiday meal preparation much more efficient.
Storing all these items takes up space in our homes and our heads. Although some things will need to be trashed, there are many options for items in good condition. For example, you can donate them to a local thrift store, repurpose cards into gift tags, make new tree ornaments with your kids, or recycle them where possible.
Minimizing holiday clutter means you’ll thank yourself for putting away and storing a smaller collection at the end of this year. And then, next December, you will enjoy the fruits of your labour. Remember to label your containers before putting them away. Perhaps think about leaving a little extra room or even one empty container should you decide to take advantage of post-holiday sales on decorations.
Do you have specific holiday decorations that you look forward to displaying every year? Why is it so special to you?