This holiday season, I ask you to do something DARING — only display decorations you absolutely LOVE. Declutter Christmas decorations this weekend as you prep your house for the holiday. Grab yourself a recycling bin, a garbage can, three cardboard boxes (label them — donate, give, save). Now, let's get started!
5 Questions to Ask Yourself While Decluttering Christmas Decorations
As you go through and declutter Christmas decorations, here are five questions you can ask yourself to make the process easier.
1 | Does it bring me joy?
Pull each holiday decoration out, hold it, and assess your feelings, "Does this bring me joy?" Don't hem and haw, just decide. If you love it, put the decoration somewhere special around the house. If your feelings are so-so about the item, decide whether it should go in the donate, give or save box.
2 | Did we use this last year?
Do you have boxes full of clearance-finds or hand-me-down decorations that just aren't your style? Here’s a simple rule of thumb when decluttering holiday decorations: if you didn’t use it last Christmas and you’re not using it this year, its time to donate the item.
3 | Do we have multiples?
Do you have three different tree garlands, seven seasonal hot cocoa mugs (but only four family members), two tree toppers? The Christmas season only comes once a year, so ditch multiples. Pick the things you love best and donate the doubles.
4 | Is this adding stress to the holidays?
Your holiday decorations are supposed to make you feel happy—not stressed. So if you and your partner argue over who is going to hang the outdoor lights every year, let that ritual go. For example, our family ditched string lights and switched to this cute outdoor snowflake projector instead. (affiliate link)
5 | Will I, honestly, ever use this?
Get rid of things that are broken, like strands of lights with burnt-out bulbs, and jot down items that need replacing (so you have a list when holiday stuff goes on sale). Those mangled ribbons sitting at the bottom of the gift wrapping bin, that sequin table runner from Grandma, those extra holiday cards from year's past — be ruthless. Trash. Give. Donate.
BONUS TIP | What should I do about THIS?
There are always a few things — sentimental things, family things, gifted things — that make decluttering Christmas decorations hard. Don't let these things slow you down.
If you've got certain items that don't necessarily bring you joy, but you also cannot bear the thought of donating or giving it away, it's ok. Don't feel pressured to display these holiday decorations in your home. Simply add the items to your SAVE BOX. After your house looks just as you want, close the SAVE BOX and pack away those "not my favorite" decorations back into storage guilt-free. You can reassess those items again next year.
It doesn’t matter whether you celebrate Christmas or Hanukkah or Kwanzaa. If your decorations lead to losing sight of what the holidays are really about—peace, calm, friendship, harmony, family, and love — then ditch the decorations.
Happy decluttering!!! I hope you enjoy a peaceful, UnBusy holiday season with your family surrounding by decorations that bring you absolute JOY.
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