The holiday season is knocking on our door, and you know what that means. “I’ve-Got-Too-Much-To-Do” is standing on the other side waiting to come in!
Between all the decorating, shopping, events and cooking, the “most wonderful time of the year” can suddenly become quite hectic.
Here are 9 things you can declutter right now to help ease your way into the holiday season.
1. Holiday Dishes
Do you have lots of holiday dishes in your cabinet, but you only use the same few pieces every year? Maybe you’re holding on to something simply because you paid a lot of money for it, or it was a gift from someone. Wrap your unused items and pack them into a donation box for Goodwill or another organization. Just think what a blessing they could be to someone else!
2. Kitchen Pantry
Go through your pantry and see what is outdated and what you may be able to use for your holiday dinners. Who knows you might have a can of cranberry sauce hiding in the back of the cabinet! Remember spices expire too. Check the date on your baking powder, vanilla and other supplies and discard outdated items. Take inventory of everything before you begin your grocery shopping.
3. Phone Contacts
Look through your contacts paying special attention to those you normally send cards or email greetings to during the holidays. Update any new addresses. While you are at it, delete the contacts you no longer need. I did this a couple months ago and was surprised that I was able to delete over 100 contacts taking up precious storage space on my phone.
4. Catalogs and Magazines
Remove the mail catalogs and magazines that tend to stack up on your coffee table and make space for a holiday candle instead.
5. Candles
If you are a candle lover, chances are you have some partially burned holiday candles stored away. Toss the ones that have lost their fragrance. Make a promise to yourself that you will not overbuy when you catch that Bath and Body candle sale!
6. Winter Clothing
Do you have winter clothes that aren’t comfortable or you just really don’t like to wear any longer? Go ahead and remove those from your wardrobe. It feels really good to have only your favorites to pick from each day.
7. Kitchen Towels
Are your kitchen towels getting a little dingy and tattered? Toss the old ones and then you’ll have room for a fresh new holiday towel.
8. Kids Toys
If you have kids or grandkids, you know there will be new toys coming into your home soon! Declutter some of the older toys to make room for the new ones. Enlist your child or grandchild to help and explain how happy they could make another child by donating their toys.
9. Photos on Your Phone
You know you’ll need to make space for more pictures too! So before things get too hectic, take some time to delete duplicate poses, screen shots and other photos that aren’t true “keepers.”
Let go of some things now so you can make room for more peace, joy and ease during the holidays!
xo Angie
P.S. If you’re ready to declutter even more, sign up here to receive your free Decluttering Guide.
