Too much stuff crowds your home. You feel irritable and stressed. Decorating for the holidays just feels like you’re adding to the mess. Something has to change.Surprisingly, the holidays are a great time to de-clutter! With the promise of new clothing and toys, it’s easier for the whole family to get rid of old stuff. The holidays also bring toy, food and clothing drives, so you can pass along your extras to a family who really needs them. So let’s get started.Step 1: Adopt a Clutter-Free MindsetYour holiday de-clutter goal is to create an open, comfortable space for you and your family. This is going to make your daily life feel less stressful, and you’ll certainly save time on house cleaning after this.For de-cluttering to be a success, it needs to be a family affair. If whining is a problem, remind kids that they need to make space for the new toys that are coming or make a game to see who can give away the most. Keep your focus on giving away items instead of trashing them. This is an opportunity to teach kids about the joy of generosity, as they choose to give away their possessions to someone else.
Step 2: Pick a SpaceStarting small will keep you and your family from getting overwhelmed and giving up. Try beginning with a bathroom or the downstairs closet. As you build up your de-cluttering stamina, you will find yourself itching to get to those larger rooms, like the kitchen or your kids’ bedrooms.Step 3: Jettison JunkSystematically go through your space and get rid everything that you don’t need. Watch out for common excuses to keep things, like “I might need that someday” or “I really loved that four years ago.” If you haven’t used it in the last year, odds are you won’t in this next year either. Get rid of it. Remember, you are making space to enjoy the holidays!As you go, divide the things you are getting rid of into a “Donate” bin and a “Trash” bin. Donate anything that is in good condition. Throw away the rest. This can be painful, but you’ll love the result of a clutter-free home.Step 4: Organize The RestNow that you have pared down to what you actually need, the fun can begin. Look for creative and exciting ways to organize your newly cleared space. Pinterest has some excellent organizational ideas for DIY projects. If you want to dream a bit bigger, take a look at Closets By Design’s custom closets, pantries, garages and laundry rooms!With a home free from clutter, you and your family can relax and enjoy the holidays. And when your parents stop over for an unexpected visit, your mad-dash house cleaning spree will be a piece of cake.Looking for a more serious de-clutter challenge? Give the 30-day-minimalist game a try. Be warned though: It’s not for the faint of heart!
