The holiday season can be a whirlwind. Between school plays, gift-giving, charity functions and family time, it can be hard to find a moment to take a break. The last thing you want to face in the midst of the hustle-and-bustle of the holidays is overwhelming clutter after the gifts have been opened. Thankfully, these pre-holiday decluttering ideas can spare you the clutter while helping others this year.
Tackle Your Coats
This time of year can be very difficult for families who do not have adequate and warm clothing. Many of us have too many coats clogging up our closet for those “just in case” occasions. Do your closet a favor and create more breathing room between your hanging items by donating extra coats. Many charities are accepting warm coats this time of year, so there will be no doubt they’ll get more use than you would have given them.
Cull Holiday Decor
Over the years we tend to collect extra holiday decor. Whether you got it on sale, as a gift or inherited it from family, there’s no shortage of ways we tend to amass a larger collection than we ever intended. Before you break out your favorite items, it’s time to cull the things you don’t need. It will make decorating and cleanup a breeze after the holidays. You’ll thank yourself later.
Conquer the Toy Mountain
Toys are notoriously difficult to organize and declutter. This means many parents avoid the task until it’s become an overwhelming problem. Encourage simplicity this season by evaluating your childrens’ toys before the holiday gift-giving starts. This ensures that you’re able to donate toys to children who could use them, and can help you evaluate what your child truly needs this year when it comes to new toys.
Evaluate Your Kitchen Utensils
Your Holiday kitchen items can use a once-over. If you keep thinking that you will eventually bake a holiday bundt cake, but each year you opt for your family’s favorite pie instead, it may be time to ditch the pan.
Assess Your Seasonal Clothing
If the full season passes and you never touched a particular sweater, it’s time to think about why you never reach for it. Is it too difficult to clean or does the texture feel unpleasant? It may be time to let it go.
