Holiday Décor Decluttering
Ah, the holidays—No matter what Holiday you celebrate, it is a time for joy, festive gatherings, and the inevitable untangling of twinkling lights that have somehow morphed into a knot of doom. Yes, holiday décor is magical… until it's not. If your storage room is more “hoarder’s paradise” than “winter wonderland,” it’s time for a bit of holiday cheer through decluttering!
Here’s the thing: nobody wants to play an annual game of "What Exactly Is This and Why Did I Keep It?" every time the holidays roll around. Let’s be real, do you really need that collection of 25 identical snowmen ornaments? If you end up keeping it in the box during the season, it probably means that it no longer brings you joy.
1. Sentimental or Senseless?
This can feel like such a fine line when you haven’t been practicing your decluttering skills. Grandma’s hand-knitted stockings from 1978? Keep them. That glittery pine cone you made in the 3rd grade? Maybe it’s time to say goodbye. The key to decluttering your holiday décor is balancing sentimentality with sensibility. If it doesn’t spark joy—or at least the faintest twinkle—it's time to toss it.
2. The “I Might Use This One Day” Syndrome
Ah, the eternal optimist's curse. You've had that tinsel wreath for a decade, and every year, you think, This is the year I’ll use it. Spoiler: you won't. Those boxes full of glittered garlands and oversized bows that haven’t seen daylight since 2012? Donate, recycle, or toss them. If it didn’t make the cut last year, it’s not going to this year either.
3. Seasonal Storage Savvy
Now, let’s talk storage. Labeled bins are your new best friends. Organize decorations by category—lights, ornaments, wreaths—so you can actually find what you’re looking for next year. Trust me, next December’s version of you will thank you when you’re not frantically digging through mismatched boxes of garlands and broken ornaments.
4. Purge Before You Splurge
It's all too easy to get swept up in the holiday shopping frenzy and buy all the new shiny things. But let’s be honest—do you really need another set of holiday plates when the ones you have haven't seen daylight since 2015? Before hitting those Black Friday sales, take stock of what you actually use. Get rid of anything that’s broken, outdated, or hasn’t been used in years. Then, and only then, can you responsibly splurge on that new holiday candle you totally need.
5. Minimalism Can Be Festive, Too
Who says you need to fill every nook and cranny of your home with holiday décor? A minimalist approach can be just as festive—think simple, elegant, and clutter-free. A well-placed wreath, a single strand of lights, and a thoughtfully decorated tree can be more magical than decking out your entire house to resemble Santa’s workshop.
6. Get the Family Involved
Turn it into a family activity! Assign roles—one person sorts through lights, another decides which ornaments to keep, and someone else makes hot cocoa (arguably the most important job). Have everyone pick out their favorites, then decide if the rest should still make the cut. Make it a festive tradition to tidy up the décor stash together, while reminiscing about favorite holiday memories.
Final Thought: Deck the Halls, Not the Attic
Decluttering your holiday décor doesn’t mean sacrificing the magic of the season. In fact, it might even enhance it. After all, isn’t it easier to enjoy your festive favorites when they’re not buried under a mountain of forgotten tinsel and tangled lights? So, this year, as you unpack those seasonal treasures, take a moment to purge, simplify, and reclaim the joy of the season—without the clutter. Happy Decluttering and Happy Holidays!
~ Jen Heim is a Professional Organizer in Portland, Oregon at Sustainable Simplicity Organizing. Sustainable Simplicity Organizing's goal is to help you feel peaceful and calm through the process of decluttering and implementing practical organizing solutions. If your space is stressing you out, Sustainable Simplicity Organizing can help you take a personalized step by step approach at decluttering the excess. Experience the joy of getting organized and taking the time to enjoy what matters most. ~
