Many people attempt to sort through holiday items when putting the décor away. But by that point, it’s easier to toss everything in a bin and say you’ll worry about it next year. It’s always better to donate decorations before the holiday, so others can enjoy them this year.
If you have a lot of holiday items, it’s time to evaluate what is special and what is not. Think about the items you don't use as often, or those that don't have as many memories attached to them (or that have negative memories associated with them). Keep the special treasures but let go of the items that are no longer important to you.
As you unpack your holiday decorations, ask yourself these four questions:
Have I used this item in the past two years? Is this item no longer my style? If you haven’t used or displayed it recently, let it go.
Do I like it? If yes, great! Put it in a special place around your home. If not, donate it so someone else can enjoy it.
Do I have multiples of the same thing? Do I need 10 Christmas mugs or five platters for the turkey? Donate the extras you no longer need.
Is the item broken? If so, get rid of it. Or make a plan to fix it.
Why are holiday items so hard to let go of? Because we remember them being used in our parents' or grandparents' homes. Or perhaps you recall when and where they were purchased. If you treasure those memories, make sure to use or display those holiday items each year.
But it can be tough to get rid of pieces that have been passed down through the generations, even if you rarely use them. The train set, or wooden Nativity set may bring another family member joy in the future. Instead of tossing them, create a separate box for sentimental items. That way you can enjoy them from time to time, but don’t have to sort through them every year. When the time comes, the box will be easy to gift to the next generation.
If you need assistance wrangling an out-of-control amount of holiday decorations, contact me at (608) 345-1836 or melanie@resetorganizing.com.