Each year, our family adopts a less-fortunate family for the holidays. I look forward to this tradition because not only are we helping others, but it helps us clean out books and toys that the kids don’t play with anymore. I look through our closets, basement, and garage and set aside one bin of toys for this special family, then donate the rest.
The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing by Marie Kondo is a great book on decluttering. While I didn’t implement all the tips she shares in her book, I found them particularly useful when unpacking decorations and ornaments: I simply add any decorations that I no longer love to a Goodwill bin. I know that the more times spouses move, the less patient they are with packing and unpacking for each holiday, so it’s really important to purge and donate frequently. This helps immensely with keeping things simple.
Keep in mind that you don’t need a ton of items for a decorative home! One of my favorite hacks is to put neutral candles in clear glass candleholders and add a little something festive depending on the season. This way, I can decorate for each holiday while keeping the same candles out all year. Tricks like this not only decrease clutter but also help minimize the stress of decorating to keep you sane and allow you to enjoy the magic of the season.