Pre-Christmas Declutter Challenge
Dreading the after-Christmas tornado? Get ready with this 5 Day Declutter Challenge.
There’s nothing worse than sitting back after all the holiday visits and gifts, and realizing that you now have to find homes for the dozens of new “things” brought into your home. The new toys, stuffed animals, slippers, and socks - where are they all going to go? If this impending scenario stresses you out, then seize the moment (or five moments) and clear some space with me with a 5 Day Pre-Christmas Declutter in just fifteen minutes each day.
I live by the motto “less is more,” but even so, I know new things will be welcomed into our home this season. This challenge will help you make space, not clutter, so the post-holiday clean up is simpler. This time of year is also a time where donations are especially needed, and donating your pre-loved items can bring joy to others who need it.
Get Ready
For this challenge, you are going to tackle one thing each day for just fifteen minutes. To ensure your time is spent actually decluttering, get yourself and your family ready. That way, you can set a fifteen minute timer and get right to work.
Prep: You’re going to need a place to put all the things you sort through, so get some bags or boxes and label them for trash, donate, and hand-me-downs (or whatever works for you.)
Plan: Identify the trouble zones in your house, and involve the family. Talk to your partner and kids and make a plan that works for everyone. Sometimes I do this without the kids because they’re young, but other times I involve them to teach them about getting rid of items they don’t need. If your kids are older, maybe each person gets a task.
Pause: Stop shopping, already! This close to Christmas you likely have everything you need. Please don’t bring more in while you’re supposed to be taking things out.
Purge: It’s go-time! It’s amazing what you can accomplish in just fifteen minutes a day.
5 Day Declutter Challenge
I’ll be doing the challenge on Instagram, so we can do this together. Choose one area each day, get your donate bins and trash bags ready, and let’s do this!
Who’s Getting What? Start by thinking through the gifts you already know are coming into your house, and make room for those first. For example, our kids are super crafty, and I know they’ll be getting crafting supplies or kits from family members. I went through the craft cupboard and got rid of the old sets that have been used up, tossed the broken and dried up, glue sticks, crayons, felt pens, play dough, coloring books, paint, etc. I also got rid of any items that they’re too old for now.
The Pantry: I love to host and all the holiday food that comes with it. If you’re the same, do a quick pantry purge. Throw out anything that’s expired, and make a donation pile for the food bank of items that are still good but you know you’re not going to use. Next, ensure all the serving dishes and ingredients you’ll be needing are easy to access. Finally, put away anything you don’t need (like those popsicle molds) so it’s not in your way.
Kids Books: We are a big book family, and the kids always get several for Christmas. Now is a great time to assess what they’re actually reading. Are you done with the baby board books? Are there books that your kids never (ever) choose to read? Donate them or pass them on. Keep the books the kids love, and know that the library will always have more if you need them.
Kids Clothes: I try to get rid of the kids’ clothes as soon as I realize they’re too small, but a pre-Christmas scan of the closets and drawers is always necessary. Get rid of anything stained or worn out, and donate the still-good clothes that don’t fit or will be too small next season. If you’ve still got time, scour the dress-up clothes, too.
Smart Parent Tip 1: Keep one outfit that still mostly fits but that you were going to donate, and keep it in the car for those “uh-oh” moments that are bound to happen.
5. Toys. This can be a biggie. If your house is overrun with toys, enlist help or break it down by room. The idea is to hit up every place toys live in your house and have no mercy! Don’t hesitate: Donate. A simple way to tackle this is to first put aside the toys you know you are going to keep, then throw out/donate the ones you are 100% sure can go. Then you’ll be left with a smaller pile to sort through.
Smart Parent Tip 2: Take several of those cheap McDonald’s toys or small fidgets that you were going to donate or toss, and put a small bag of them in the car. They make for perfect distractions at a restaurant or long car rides.
If you end up with a pile of toys you aren’t sure whether to keep or not, put them into a box and out of sight for a few months. If the kids ask for the toy, super-mom to the rescue! But if not, they can get donated later.
A Home For Everything
Kids’ items can get out of hand quickly if you don’t set boundaries for them. When you have controlled areas for toys, crafts, and clothes, the space will dictate how many things you can fit there. If you don’t have a spot for something new, then you either don’t bring the item in, or you make room by getting rid of something else.
Simplifying life at home reduces stress for children and their grownups, and leaves more room for relaxation, connection, and creativity - which is what the holidays should be all about! By taking fifteen minutes a day tackling these areas before Christmas, your future self will be ever so thankful.