It may seem a little odd to suggest decluttering holiday cheer now as we are in the middle of the holidays and many of us are still decorating. How many of us (I will say up front that I do this) look at some of our holiday décor and then decide not to use it? I am recommending that instead of holding onto these items ‘just in case’ we decide we want to use them next year we donate them straight away. Give yourself permission to intentionally declutter your décor.
Now is the Perfect Time to Donate
Do you ever wonder about the best time to donate certain things? Usually, I say the best time to donate something is when you’re ready for it to leave your home. But this is not true for decorations tied to specific holidays.
The best time to donate Christmas decorations is now, earlier in the season, and a week or two into January. After that time, it’s best to pack it up, put a note in your calendar to get it out to a local donation site in November. These are the times people are looking for holiday cheer.
I know it’s easy for holiday decorations to accumulate over the years. Children bring sweet ornaments home as school projects. As the years go on these sweet decorations tend to look a little long in the tooth. I can say this because I have many which were given to me by my children. And I admit that I have purchased decorations because they look so great in the display and not quite so cute when I got them home. These decorations have never left my holiday décor boxes. Has that ever happened to you?
My advice is to consider decluttering holiday cheer as you finish your decorating because it will accomplish two things. It will bring joy to another family, and it will reduce your collection.
Why Are You Keeping These Decorations?
I have talked about this a little and this topic, understanding your reason for holding onto things is important.
Decorations are expensive. You may want to keep some even if you don’t really love them because they fill space in the tree that people don’t see, and you want to have some (at least a few) ornaments on.
Some decorations may bring back the memory of when your then five-year-old child brought it home. In my case, ornaments bring back thoughts of what was happening in my life at that time and where we lived. Maybe this is true for you, too.
Perhaps you’ve avoided decluttering holiday cheer because you think someday you may decide you want to use these decorations again. I’m here to tell you that if you’ve had this thought for more than two or three years, you will most likely never use these decorations again. Rip off the Band-Aid and put them in the donation box the next time you have that thought. It’s okay to let them go. They can have new life in someone else’s home and help another family make good memories.
How to Decide What to Keep
Now that you’ve decide to go ahead and invest some time in decluttering holiday cheer here are some practical questions to ask:
Have you used it in the last 3 years? Do you look at this decoration and shake your head, thinking not this year? I have and, for the first time, I have put together a box of these decorations.
Does it fit your current style or space? When I put the ornaments on my tree this year, I noticed that I avoided using some ornaments that I purchased for our first Christmas tree many years ago. I used one or two of them and put the rest back in the box. Recognizing this trend made me realize that it’s time to let these ornaments go.
Does it hold real sentimental value or just obligation? If you’re holding onto some ornaments for their sentimental value but they are falling apart, take a picture and write the story, then toss or recycle it.
Best Practices for Donating Decorations
Here are some tips for donating practically anything:
Look at the item carefully. If it is dirty, clean it. If it is broken or missing pieces either recycle or toss it.
Package the items as you would want to receive them. If it is something to fold, fold it and place it as nicely as possible in a bag or box. If it is something that will fit in a box, package it neatly.
Where to donate:
Local thrift stores or shelters.
Community centers or church groups.
Online giveaway groups like NextDoor or Buy Nothing Project
Conclusion
Writing this blog post about decluttering holiday cheer was something of an encouraging talk to myself. I hope it will also give you the permission you may need to intentionally and honestly go through your decorations. If there are any ornaments or decorations that you hesitate to use this year (and perhaps haven’t used in the past few years) box them up and schedule a trip to a donation site of your choice.
I have put my box in the back of my car and plan to take it to my church on Monday. We have a thrift store that will make sure these decorations go to people who are looking for them.
Please reach out to me if you’d like more guidance or accountability as you declutter holiday decorations or any other part of your home. You can reach me at: dnqsolutions@gmail.com to schedule a free 30-minute phone consultation.
Diane N. Quintana is the owner of DNQ Solutions, LLC. She is an ADHD Organizing Specialist, a Hoarding Specialist, and a Chronic Disorganization Specialist. Diane is also an ICD Master Trainer, Certified Professional Organizer in Chronic Disorganization, Certified Professional Organizer and co-owner of Release Repurpose Reorganize LLC based in Atlanta, Georgia. She specializes in residential and home-office organizing.
“Perhaps you’ve avoided decluttering holiday cheer because you think someday you may decide you want to use these decorations again. I’m here to tell you that if you’ve had this thought for more than two or three years, you will most likely never use these decorations again. Rip off the Band-Aid…” There is so much truth in those sentences, and it applies to so much more than holiday decorations.
This is an area that fascinates me; holiday decorations seem to fall into two camps: truly sentimental items (maybe 10% of the collection) and then a pile of tinsel and ornaments and lights that just sort of appeared. Those in the latter category tend to fit the “I own this, so I guess I’m supposed to own this” mentality, and a few moments of thought as to whether they are used or provide any joy should break through the inertia. I didn’t grow up celebrating Christmas, so we had no real decorations. My mom had an articulated skeleton, some articulated pilgrims and a turkey, and I think one cardboard menorah — they appeared and disappeared on schedule on the glass storm door, but otherwise, our only “decoration” was the menorah, which I absconded with after college, forcing my mom to get a new one.
Outside of that menorah, I have no holiday decorations, but if I did, I’d advise exactly as you do (and do advise my clients, thusly. I particularly like the idea of donating early to let other families have an opportunity to use those decorations this season!
Thank you, Julie
This is so timely for me. We are starting the downsizing process and as to not get overwhelmed we are taking some steps. My husband is much more sentimental than I am, so I thought slow was best for him (it is for everyone really). Anyway, when I put out the holiday decorations I announced that anything that we didn’t put out this year was going to be donated. Surprisingly it was pretty easy for us both. We had stuff that was so old it was falling apart. Why did we keep it for so long!? I took everything to a donation drop-off that afternoon and we can fit all of our Christmas decor in two small boxes!
Well done, Janet!
I did this very thing last week. I find myself decorating less than I used to and it was time to let others enjoy the decorations that I no longer plan on using. And then, of course, some of them were a bit too shabby to pass on so those got trashed.
It will make it easier to put the decor away not that I have reduced the amount and consolidated what I have kept.
That’s great, Jonda!
I love how you shared your experience teasing out which holiday decorations to keep or let go of. It was fun reading your process and where the challenges arose. It’s terrific that the box of ornaments to donate is in your car and ready for drop-off.
Connecting the editing process to a time-based boundary can facilitate faster decision-making. In your case, letting go of ornaments now means that someone else can use them this season. If you waited, you would have to store them for another year before donating.
Wishing you a very happy holiday season!
Thank you, Linda!
Happy holidays to you, too!
We have a thrift store in our town that is perfect for this type of donation. I actually did a bit of holiday decorations shopping there myself this year. Decorations are often still in great condition, the owner simply didn’t need them anymore. This truly is the perfect time to let them go. Don’t wait until January, right??
Exactly right, Seana!