7 Items to Declutter This Christmas
A professional organiser shares seven easy ways to declutter your home this Christmas
Amy Revell
9 December 2018
Houzz Australia Contributor. Declutter Coach and Founder at The Art of Decluttering. I'm based in the leafy suburbs of Melbourne, Australia and work with women to help them create the beautiful homes they've always dreamed of. As an author, speaker and podcaster, I love all things decluttering and embrace the freedom that minimalism brings.
Houzz Australia Contributor. Declutter Coach and Founder at The Art of Decluttering.... More
Christmas is the season of giving, which means it’s also a season of receiving. If you feel overwhelmed by the growing clutter in your home, embrace the peace of Christmas by parting with these seven items.
1. Unloved decorations
When you were decorating your tree this year, did you overlook some decorations? Were there homemade ornaments from last decade that were falling apart and stayed in the storage container?
When you were decorating your tree this year, did you overlook some decorations? Were there homemade ornaments from last decade that were falling apart and stayed in the storage container?
If you own decorations that you no longer love and haven’t used in the past two years, it’s time to think about letting them go. Make space for the ornaments and baubles you love displaying by giving away those you don’t enjoy using anymore.
2. Novelty crockery
Platters embossed with holly; dishes shaped like Christmas trees; Santa mugs that clutter up cupboards and are forgotten until December… I’ve seen it all while helping people declutter. I’ve encountered whole Christmas-themed dinner sets that take up precious storage space for the 364 days a year they are not used.
Platters embossed with holly; dishes shaped like Christmas trees; Santa mugs that clutter up cupboards and are forgotten until December… I’ve seen it all while helping people declutter. I’ve encountered whole Christmas-themed dinner sets that take up precious storage space for the 364 days a year they are not used.
Think about whether you have plain, everyday crockery that you could use happily at Christmas, then declutter the novelty platters, mugs and plates that are stealing space in your cupboards.
Minimalist Christmas Decor for the Design-Conscious
Minimalist Christmas Decor for the Design-Conscious
3. Christmas table settings
Do you have a special ‘Christmas’ tablecloth or napkins that you keep hidden away in the linen cupboard except for one meal per year?
Do you have a special ‘Christmas’ tablecloth or napkins that you keep hidden away in the linen cupboard except for one meal per year?
If your linen cupboard could do with a declutter, consider clearing out your Christmas linen first. And, when you next host a Christmas event, you can brighten up your table with a few decorations from the tree while using your white everyday tablecloth. Are you getting the drift?
Browse Christmas-themed table settings for inspiration
Browse Christmas-themed table settings for inspiration
4. Christmas outfits
Do you have a collection of Christmas hats? Do your children have novelty Christmas pyjamas or a Santa t-shirt in their wardrobe? How about your pets? As fun as Christmas outfits are, it’s important to declutter any that have been outgrown or have seen better days.
Tip: Instead of keeping Christmas clothing in wardrobes, I recommend keeping them with your Christmas decorations, so you remember to use them each year.
Do you have a collection of Christmas hats? Do your children have novelty Christmas pyjamas or a Santa t-shirt in their wardrobe? How about your pets? As fun as Christmas outfits are, it’s important to declutter any that have been outgrown or have seen better days.
Tip: Instead of keeping Christmas clothing in wardrobes, I recommend keeping them with your Christmas decorations, so you remember to use them each year.
5. Christmas lights
How long have you had your Christmas lights? Are there exposed wires or multiple bulbs that no longer work?
How long have you had your Christmas lights? Are there exposed wires or multiple bulbs that no longer work?
Safety is of utmost importance, so if your lights have any faults, it’s time to dispose of them. Many people are now moving towards solar lights, so if that appeals, you can enjoy not having a maze of power cords weaving through your lawn.
6. Outdoor decorations
Alfresco decorations look festive and fun, and bring joy to children and people passing by. Though over time, especially in the hot Australian sun, outdoor decorations can become weathered, brittle and discoloured.
Alfresco decorations look festive and fun, and bring joy to children and people passing by. Though over time, especially in the hot Australian sun, outdoor decorations can become weathered, brittle and discoloured.
This year when you’re packing up after Christmas, have a fresh look at your decorations and declutter your home of any that have seen better days.
The Best Christmas Preparation and Storage Ideas Ever
The Best Christmas Preparation and Storage Ideas Ever
7. Christmas books
Lots of families enjoy a tradition of buying new Christmas books each year, so collections can get quite unwieldy. If you are holding onto books your children have outgrown, consider donating them to charity or an op-shop for someone else to enjoy.
Lots of families enjoy a tradition of buying new Christmas books each year, so collections can get quite unwieldy. If you are holding onto books your children have outgrown, consider donating them to charity or an op-shop for someone else to enjoy.
A great idea is to pack away all Christmas-themed books with your decorations so they stay special when you unveil them each December. By doing this, they won’t clutter your bookshelves during the year and your family can enjoy rediscovering them each Christmas.
Tell us
What objects are notorious for cluttering your home each Christmas? Tell us how you manage the clutter in the Comments below, like this story and join the conversation.
More
If you know you need to declutter though are not sure where to start, chat with a local professional organiser for some tips
Tell us
What objects are notorious for cluttering your home each Christmas? Tell us how you manage the clutter in the Comments below, like this story and join the conversation.
More
If you know you need to declutter though are not sure where to start, chat with a local professional organiser for some tips
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Janbhan, I have a special wooden trunk for treasures like this made by my children, and they (and their children) still like to look through it when they visit. As for old tatty tree store bought tree decorations, I hang them in the trees in the garden each year until they no longer look good. I had a good laugh one year when I watched a sulphur crested cockatoo fly off with an old glass star. Several years later I noticed something sparkling near the top of a neighbours massive pine tree. With the help of binoculars I spotted my old glass star.
Do you have a tiny Christmas tree and find it hard to locate right-sized decorations ? Mine has its own sparkly lights, but a chance find of junk dangly earrings at ridiculously low prices gave me an idea. I bought the lot and split them with my daughter. They are just the right size and give the tree a bit of glamour! Bling beads on silver or gold thread also look good. The tree fairy is made out of pipe cleaners wound with wool. She has gauzy wings, a fluffy skirt and a sequin star on a toothpick. The tree looks really festive. My stocking present for everyone now is a set of tree decorations made a few months in advance.
Great idea, Janbhan, especially for all those odd earrings where one has been lost and you can't bear to toss oit its twin.