Since December has snuck up on us, I thought this month’s Tips from Tonia would be nice to talk about how to declutter and purge holiday decorations. It can be a great way to refresh your space and make decorating easier. I know I am well overdue on this in my home, so I am going to practice what I preach on this one. I do not remember the last time I purged my holiday décor!
1. Set Aside Time
Choose a dedicated time to go through your decorations without distractions. If you are like me, I need the accountability when sorting/purging any item. Especially this time of the year. Its already hectic with schedules and we need a body double when we do not want to do something!
2. Gather Supplies
Have bags or boxes ready for items to keep, donate, or throw away. You know this time of year is also a great time to give back to others who need holiday décor. One person’s donate can mean something brand new for another space.
3. Take Everything Out
Bring all your decorations into one space. This helps you see what you have. I like to set up a small table so I can sort like items together. Chances are, you might have some duplicates, and it’ll be nice to see everything out in the open.
4. Sort by Category
Organize items into categories (e.g., ornaments, lights, wreaths, etc.) to make it easier to assess each group. I know it will look a lot worse before it gets better. I tell clients all the time, trust the process! I promise it will all go back nicely in your newly organized bins. Sorting by category lets you see EXACTLY what you have and you’re more likely to let go once you see it all out.,
5. Evaluate Each Item
Ask yourself:
Do I love this?
Is it broken or damaged?
Do I use it every year?
Does it fit my current style?
Be honest about what you really need and love. I know this can be hard…..I am very sentimental, but if you don’t have room for all the décor it forces us to get real with each item! If you have some keepsakes and you keep unpacking/packing them up every year, you might consider buying a separate bin for those keepsakes, and store in a different place!
6. Decide What to Keep
Keep items that bring you joy or hold sentimental value. Limit duplicates and things that no longer fit your aesthetic. Again, only keep what you are going to decorate with!
7. Donate or Sell
Consider donating items in good condition to local charities or selling them online. This way, someone else can enjoy them. When selling items, I like to use Replacements.com. I once sold an entire Village Collection for a client, and it was nice to get something for it! The client appreciated our efforts and it helped pay for a bit of our organization.
8. Discard Broken Items that Cannot be Fixed
Throw away anything that is damaged beyond repair. For those items that CAN be repaired, I LOVE and use Art Restorations. I have used them A LOT lately, and they have been fantastic to work with!
9. Organize What You Are Keeping
Use labeled bins or containers to organize your decorations by type or holiday. This makes them easy to find next season. I love the storage airtight totes from Container Store for all holiday décor.
I also use these ornament organizers and LOVE THEM!
10. Create a System
Consider a system for when and how to evaluate your decorations each year, so this process becomes easier over time. I recommend going through your décor at least every other year so you can stay on top of what you want. We always end up buying things here and there, so it helps us stay ahead of it!
Take this time to have fun putting up the items you DO have! Enjoy a clutter-free holiday season. Knowing you have purged all your items will make for an easier commitment when it’s time to take down all your décor! It is always a dreaded and well-procrastinated task! Set a date on the calendar to take it down, so you do not avoid it. 😊
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