Decorating for Christmas When You're In the Midst of Decluttering
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- Опубликовано: 2 окт 2024
- If you're trying to get stuff OUT, it can feel overwhelming to decorate for Christmas, even if you've always LOVED decorating for Christmas! Y'all know I'm here for the decluttering and never want you to feel discouraged, so I'm sharing my strategies for adding in Christmas décor without getting overwhelmed with clutter.
My books: aslobcomesclean.com/book
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Marie Kondo’s got nothing on you Dana K. White! You changed my life radically, for the best life I could live. I am functioning! Thank you for your books and all of your videos 🙏🏻❤️
I agree. Kondo doesn’t understand our reality!
I like how Marie Kondo thanks the items she is not keeping bc it helps me to not feel guilty when I donate or throw things away.
However, I agree with you bc Dana has definitely helped me more than Marie Kondo.
I was actually talking to a friend about this. The whole "does it spark joy" thing doesn't work for me. Of course it sparks joy! That's why I bought it. I can't keep everything I love. Container theory and clutter threshold have been total game changers for me
As a scandinavian the natural "key" to decor is "eadible, burnable, compostable". You can have a sterling, sparkling Christmas decor consisting of food, candy canes, cookies (even decor elements like ginger bread house, gingerbread decor hanging in windows), chocolat calendar, oranges, red apples, candles, marshals, sparklers, fresh red flowers, potted Christmas plants, fir twigs, fir cones, Christmas napkins... With only the Christmas lightings (light loopers, paper stars), a few tablecloths and red ribbons (to tie and hang the "edible or compostable" ornaments in) there are actually not very much to store from year to year. Even the stockings can actually be regular (fresh) rag/woolen socks with a small wrapped gift or a nice plant in it. (And this does not mean you have to do the baking yourself, all of it can be found in a regular store.) If you haven't eaten or used it all up after Christmas it goes to the compost (or trash).
Absolutely genius!!!
Love this so much!!!! Thank you for sharing!! 🎄💞
Yes, this is how it's always been in our family too (in Finland) ❤️
I like the sound of this. I think I’ll try it next year since I’ve already set up my Christmas decorations.
Brilliant idea!
I literally never once thought of this before! Seasonal decor REPLACES other decor? MIND-BLOWING!
I never could understand how "cleanies" could handle it when mine always looked like such a mess, even if it was clean!
Now I get it. THANK YOU for helping me understand this!
Me too! And it seems so obvious now. LOL When I think about people who decorate in a big way this is exactly what they do, I just didn't notice. Sigh
Me too! Total AHA moment
Right? How I never got that before is amazing.
Wow, I didn't realise that people didn't realise this! I must say the tip to put the normal decor in the Christmas box is great, normally I have to finding spots for it in my cupboard and that's annoying haha
Oh thank God. Finally
Someone who understands and puts out the right kind of content for what I'm actually dealing with
No joke 👍💗
🙏 Amen
While decluttering I found 3 Christmas platters, and some others totally forgot I had. We played Bingo after Thanksgiving meal, and put those platters with a few other gently used items in a prize box. You would have thought they were gold plated! Guests were asking to play more than one card to increase chances of winning. It was hilarious!
Best Christmas decluttering idea I've ever had is to decorate to my heart's content with everything I have and whatever doesn't make it out of the tote box I look at long and hard and most of the time I'll donate or trash it. It really helped keep me from buying too because it makes me realize what I had too much of as well.
I've been going through Christmas stuff for the last couple weeks. NOW is the best time to donate it to the charity thrift shops, NOT AFTER the holidays.
That’s what I’m doing too🌷
Thank you so much for not advertising other companies products. That makes you credible, helpful and a little beloved. Happy Thanksgiving!
So agree with you, thank you, Dana!!
Last Christmas season, I was recovering from Covid. I did minimal decorating because I just didn't have the stamina. I told my family to feel free to decorate or not. It was an experiment for me personally, to see if I could allow myself to do less and be ok with it. For ex: I put the Christmas tree up but only put ribbon and a star on it. No one was upset. Most people seemed to like my minimalist tree and it saved me hours of work. I may try it again this season
...I could never lol
We have a 5 ' artificial tree, fully decorated, in a large black contractor's trash bag with a red ribbon on top.
We take it out, place on a 3' tall table, plug it in, place the (white fuzzy throw) tree skirt. Decorating nearly done.
We place old and new Christmas cards, books, battery operated white candles,
2 artificial evergreen garlands and a few natural branches,
pine cones, etc.
We think it looks great and requires very little effort.
We have done only lights before when our kids were little. And one year just lights and pine cones. It’s nice to save time!
Yes, this!! Putting up a ton of ornaments stresses me out, so some years we just put up the pre-lit tree with warm white lights and put nothing on it. It takes twenty minutes, still gives us a beautiful glow, and feels plenty festive for our taste. Some years we add a few sentimental ornaments, it just depends on what we feel like doing.
I'm never going back to feeling obligated to go all out! Minimal decorating is so freeing!
Omg I totally did not think of putting the current decor into the Christmas box! Have been wondering where to put it lol!!!
It's a game changer? I've evern put a quilt over the bins and set our tree on top of it for extra height.
Thank you for this, Dana! I was a good girl - my son and DIL helped us decorate this weekend. I ran across something that I needed to get rid of. I offered it to my DIL and said, "Feel free to say no." She was happy to take it. I followed up with, "If you find it doesn't work for you, feel free to donate it. I won't be upset if you don't keep it."
that's wonderful - giving permission for them to decide and let it go if they need to, releases them from the "guilt" if the time comes that it doesn't work for them! So freeing, and respectful. I've done this with clothing and household goods I've passed on to friends, and it really eases everyone's burden.
My compliments to Reed on the editing! This video was so concise and enlightening! My Mom used the "replace" method in her livingroom... we'd carefully remove the everyday items from the fireplace mantel, hearth, and the shelf above her couch before arranging the Christmas decorations. We put the everyday items on a table on the back porch, but I love the idea of using the Christmas storage containers! I do use that method with my seasonal clothing storage but never considered it for decor! Regarding only focusing on one room, I too didn't decorate for years because any decorations would have simply been lost in the clutter. For the past few years, I found I could decorate the little table next to my computer chair, since anyone on Zoom would only see that part of my apartment :) This year I will try the Replace method and decorate more that what I refer to as my "Zoomscape." Thank you!! ❤
I’ve enjoyed using more materials from nature like pinecones, greenery, etc. that way I can just chuck it outside when I’m done😂.
Thank you!!! You always have the very best advice!!! I found you last year just before Thanksgiving. 14 days to opening your front door to company. You are a lifesaver! Now I am sorting through things and decluttering again! We sold our fully furnished vacation lake home last month and I would have felt helpless and hopeless if it wasn't for all of your great advice. I have enjoyed giving many things to friends and family. Other things that I would have once found difficult to donate, because of their value, I have donated. It has brought me peace of mind and a calmness. I didn't want to deal with selling those things. The trade-off is life-changing, in a good way! Thank you, thank you and God Bless!!!
On point and so helpful as always! You’re my favorite!!!
Yes!!! You need to post these every holiday... these tips work! It allows you to clean and reevaluate every time these occasions come along... thanks, mom, for teaching us how to do this at a young age!
I always replace the everyday decorations with our Christmas stuff, but it never occured to me I could store them in the Christmas totes! Thanks for the tip!
It’s frightening to me how much you’re in my mind. My entire adult life I always over decorated for every holiday. Now I loved it. When I got married, I came to find out that my husband is a true minimalist and doesn’t really love holidays. So my decorating has gotten very very very small in my house. But I have recently started to over decorate my office at work. So I get the benefit of having the decorations for every holiday but a minimalist house with very few. So I curate some very important pieces to me to be in my house. But it is a good reminder in both locations to Declutter as I go. Don’t put away at the end of the season pieces that you don’t love. Just donate. Thank you.
Dana if I'm being honest, I've been extremely overwhelmed for yrs. I started watching Dawn SEVERAL YRS AGO and now I watch you and Cas too but I'm still like frozen. A lot of things make sense but actually doing them is a whole other story. I know you get it. Hopefully ONE DAY I'll turn a new leaf 😩.
Maybe try Dawn's 5-minutes a day idea? Set a timer and just do a little. Donate or trash items ASAP. It'll create a snowball affect of motivation!👍 You can do it!!
Yes, Lisa I agree with both Dawn from Minimal Mom's 5 minute approach and Dana K White's idea of containers. You will find the motivation just like Sarah Ko kindly replied. The motivation does have a domino effect. As you will find out both methods work well and compliment each other.
For a jump start you might take one hour in your living room some day in your first week as time allows. Yes, your living room makes a great difference in your rest and relaxation moments.
But the game changer is to work in your kitchen. This is the first room that can change your life. I usually washed my dishes before bedtime or work, but after I followed Dawn's advice of minimizing the miscellaneous on your cabinets I took to heart. Listened to 2 audiobooks by Dana. I think in 'Decluttering At The Speed Of Life' about cleaning the countertop every time after washing dishes becoming instinct. With a clear counter it makes it easier to spritz with a cleaning spray and wipe with a wash cloth before tending to dishes.
Love these ladies. Cas is new to me and I just adore her energy. With the RUclips platform, they have truly changed my life. Try them out to give them the opportunity to effect your daily life. We All Wish You The Best!
I love the replacement idea. Makes perfect sense.
Very smart
Oh Dana K White! I've read multiple of your books and I just love your sense of humor and your ability to talk honestly about real people and real stuff! I laughed out loud at the credits... also I didn't even THINK of replacing when I was putting my Christmas stuff out... and now I'm wondering why it feels cluttered... oops.
Great, great video, Dana! Very helpful.
We moved into my aunt's small townhouse after her move to nursing home. (We are very blessed!) When decluttering before seeling our old house I decided that we'd only have thd space for 2 large boxes ('totes' as you say in the US) of Christmas decorations. She has no basement (they aren't common in Ireland) and the attic joists are not to be 100%trusted.... so we have to store decor items in the house. The 2 large boxes are totally adequate for our needs. Working on the other areas now! LOL! Blessings of the season to you and your extended family on RUclips, Dana.G Ire
I agree, very helpful! And congratulations and enjoy doing Christmas in your “new“ townhouse!
I am a US American but I’ve lived in Germany for over 25 years. I’m not sure when “tote“ became the US-word for plastic storage box. I actually learned that following Dawn and Dana etc.! I would call them storage boxes 😆
And for me a toad is a tote bag actually, which you might use to carry sports things to school for example. Or a verb. Still feels weird to me to call a box a tote. ! 😁
You are so gorgeous, Dana! Love your hair like this. You remind me so much of my daughter and I've finally got her watching you. Your books, podcasts, group TYHB has made such a HUGE difference in my life.
I only decorate my living space (kitchen, and living room....which both are small and close together).
It's the only space that needs decor. It's is too much work to decorate every room....then you also have to worry about storage.
Also, I am trying to massively declutter during the holiday season, so I put all of the decluttering items in question in one room to sort out. That way the rest of the house is tidy while I go through all of the extra stuff.
I love the idea of replacing! I did it a few days ago and felt that I had stumbled upon a game changer. Glad to hear you confirm it! I am so wired like you. You are the most relatable for me in my decluttering journey!
Here I am thinking, oh, yeah, if I buy new decorations I should get rid of old decorations - then realized you meant normal everyday stuff that's always there gets REMOVED and REPLACED not decorated around! Sheesh why didn't I figure that out sooner! (Because my brain works just like yours, and thank you so much for sharing what you have learned so I don't have to keep learning the hard way! I'm almost 50 for goodness sake!)
We moved to a coastal community 4 years ago. My former home was a colonial with antiques, dark woods, roosters and granny square throws. Every holiday I kept it all out and just added Christmas. It was nearly impossible to walk a clear path. When we moved I did manage to donate, give away or trash most of that decor, but began accumulating some coastal decor to go in our new home.
Now, every holiday season I take out the Christmas decor; (limiting myself to 4 bins of Christmas decor); and put my everyday decor in the empty Christmas bins.
I take pics of both styles before I put it away again to make it easier and faster to decorate/undecorate and also to remember what worked and what didn’t. If I buy something new and it won’t fit into one of the four bins I take something else out and donate it. Keeps me from buying something new unless I really really love it more than what I already have!!
I have been putting my everyday stuff in the Christmas bins for years. This year I added some Christmas decor in my bedroom by changing out the pillow covers and added a new throw, made it easy and affordable.
Lol. I'm a smart cookie, but I've never in my life heard I should pack up regular things to get out holiday stuff! Liquid gold! Thank you for remembering "the rest of us" who would not figure it out on our own. Hahaha
I have done this for years! That way the holiday decor takes center stage and it isn’t cluttered. Makes it super easy when you’re done. Just bring out the same tote and switch back. And yes. Spending $6 now vs how ever much later. Smart! Thanks for all you’re helpful tips!
Thank you for giving the OK to decorate only one room. I did that last year and it was so much more peaceful, calm and quickly. I decorated the living room only and outside light s. Oh I also have a door in my outside storage room that has been broken and off for years. I hung a great shower curtain with a Christmas theme. It made my outside look beautiful, festive and served the purpose of a door without having to pay the big price of getting custom doors made. So now I change the curtains, for Paris in Fall, different spring Paris in Spring, Fall Harvest for Thanksgiving and Christmas theme in December..I love it, and it's an easy decoration I can do by myself and gives me so much Joy!
You have helped bring so much peace into my house, for that I will always be grateful. !
So glad to have someone telling people to replace the everyday stuff, it makes everything look so much better when you can focus on the Christmas decorations. Great job!
Well, I was another person who didn’t think to pack the Christmas boxes with my every day decor. 😂. So thank you for that valuable tip !!!
I do believe I shopped after Christmas the year I was moving January 12th but I mostly just bought lights. Having less decor strategically can pull a look together better in a much classier way. If done well 3 or 4 items can set a tone as well or better than 30.
Perfect timing! I have not put up decor for a few years for health reasons and am now procrastinating due to the sheer volume of "stuff". My adult children declined taking their own ornaments as they want them on our tree, but I am going to make a box for each and sort them out so I can get down to a reasonable number of ornaments to put up. The trash bag and donate box are also going to factor in to my process. Thanks for the pep talk!
Yes, donate that stuff now! The thrift stores would rather have holiday decor now instead of in January!
Yup! So much common sense here , but why didn't I think of it !
Not Christmas related but I just used your advice to look up a price on an item we need right away. We are moving my MIL into our home and need a stair lift. They are way less expensive than my imagination was saying. Also I love your advice to store away things while some of my decorations are taking up their space. Thank you for so many practical tips!
So, I listen to you while working in my home, but for sure when you finish, I run back to my p/c to read the 'closing credits' to see what funny things Reid put on there. 😂
Thank you so much for not advertising other companies products. That makes you credible, helpful and a little beloved. Happy Thanksgiving!
There is nothing wrong with that, especially if they do it in a tasteful way, but like everyone else said this was filmed in the summer
My kids are older and out of the house so I no longer have a big Christmas tree, at first I just had a 4 ft one for a couple of years, then replaced to a mini 20 inch one a couple of years, now all I have is a small decorative country craft metal one with bells running down the center of it, now that's what I call downsizing, LOL. Also I wanted to say that I kept a few of my favorite ornaments but I put them in a decorative tin placed by the small craft tree.
Love your approach Dana! You have helped me so much by telling me to give myself permission to get rid of something or use the container concept. I'm a fan for life and I hope you have a wonderful Christmas in your new place!
As always, Reid's "Editorial Commentary" in the credits, make me chuckle! Thanks for all the Great tips!
We moved across country this summer and my last three giant plastic tubs to be unpacked are all my Christmas decorations. We have limited storage and less spaces to decorate so I know I need to declutter at least 50% which is going to be tough!
Thank you! Lightbulb moment ...putting normal decor away, so simple but I never gave it a thought. Great point about buying the one item full price now against a whole host of reduced "stuff" later. Great video Dana xx
Love this!
Oh my gosh! I’ve been struggling with twinkle lights for three years!! I bought a ton on sale and it turned out they were the blinking kind. And they were only a dollar cheaper. And they didn’t have the kind I wanted. But I just stored them instead of returning them. And now I have to declutter flashing lights. And I STILL did not buy them full price when I passed by the fully stocked section the other day. Thank you for holding up a mirror to my insanity.
Some blinking lights have one special bulb that makes them blink. If you replace that bulb with a normal one, they might stop blinking.
I get hung up on the sentimentality of all the ornaments and decorations from when my kids were little.
Give it to them when they leave home.
Brilliant!
I’ve been selling and donating things as I put up the Christmas stuff and it feels great!
I am experienced with minimalism but learned so much from this video. Thank you.
Literally just got out my Christmas glasses and mugs and am about to to pack away my regular glasses and mugs into that box! Took a break for lunch and to watch this, and it looks like I'm not the only one with that idea!
I bought so much wrapping paper one year I needed to buy containers to put it in... I have not bought paper in 4 years. Some may say yaaaahoooo. But the paper is turning yellow
Thanks Dana and Reid!
I enjoy your videos 💡
Well done.
Dana, I think I just had an A HA moment. I kinda tend to add my Christmas "decor" but the replacement idea sounds brilliant because instead of putting away empty bins that will still take up space might as well put at least some of the normal "decor" at least during the holidays.
Wow, thank you for showing us how to replace the decor. So often, I just pile more on more!
Happy Thanksgiving, Dana K White!! Hope you have a blessed Christmas...xo
I mostly just decorate my mantle. I have a small nativity set that goes on a shelf on the built in bookshelf next to the fire place and our tree of curse but otherwise it's just one small mantle. By limiting the amount of space I decorate it limits the amount of decor I can use, like the container concept. I got a few new things this year for the first time in years so I know when I go to decorate I will need to donate some things. I already have some in mind that can go and getting a few new things I really love to replace old, sad items is making me really excited to decorate this year!
Me, too!
I use Google Keep for most list type stuff. I take pics of my village so it's fast to put up, and I make a note of things I may not remember in a year's time. If I think of something I'll need for next year, I put that in, too. Then I archive the list with an alarm that will pop up Nov. 12. That gives me ample time to pick up any little bits so I can have them before I decorate. Nothing will slow you down faster than having to run out for a set of lights. Delegating those types of chores to your phone frees up brain space and is frankly, much more reliable. 😆
Are you saying I shouldn't have bought enough wrapping paper for, uh, a decade at an after Christmas sale?
I liked "replace", I currently have Thanksgiving items mingled with year- round items. But swapping them ***into the storage boxes*** was a revelation! Thanks!
I love how you think! ❤
perfect
I love replacing my linens. We’re fairly minimal on linens, but switching pillow covers, duvet covers, and throws, etc, really makes it feel festive. I add holiday themed figures and photos to the book shelves.
Ideas for Christmas “boxes” that we think we have to keep because they are cute and themed. ( Not!)
1. Get them out of the storage BOX, now. Pretty soon it will be too late!
2. Set them out with specific people you will either make baked goods for or a little gift for.
3. Maybe give a little barely used ornament, or other item you have. Wrap in tissue.
4. This is our moment to get those cute ( 55 boxes,) out!
I needed to hear this. I have 4 Christmas trees in the house and lots of holiday decorations. And…. We decided to have our kitchen dining room and entryway slightly remodeled in mid-December. It will take two weeks. Yikes. I have been moving stuff into other rooms and it has shown me how much stuff we have. So instead of just getting ready for the remodel I am taking this next week to declutter, donate, throw away and curate those rooms and have less stuff. In January I will tackle a bedroom and the two bathrooms. It’s a process. Taking excess to donate on Wednesday. Wish me luck.
Dana, I like that you say "It's Okay" instead of I give you permission. I don't think grown women and men need permission by anyone for things they want to do. So thank you for that. Thanks for sharing !!
The best thing I got out of this video is I dont have to decorate the whole dang house! I amost went out to buy those cheap oven mits and some red hand towels. Why do I make myself crazy?? I really dont even think I want a tree. My friends already think Im a grinch because I wait till November to decorate. Sometimes I think the grinch is the only one that gets the true meaning of Christmas."It came without packages boxs or bags. And this year without red hand towels and oven mits.
Such practical advice. Thank you!!
Regarding the suggestion of just focusing on one room: Last year, after putting ALL my decorations away in the attic, we found maybe SEVEN items over the next weeks, that we had forgotten around the house. In fact, this year, one of my favorite pieces was on a shelf in the rec room, waiting for me to have a free moment to climb the attic steps and store it away! So, avoiding the little loose ends after the Season, is a benefit of focusing on one room.
The thought of packing up some of my "normal stuff" to put out Christmas decorations. Possibly, I've done with dishes.
"Feelings"....oh yeah...I don't know how I would have EVER gotten started..if I had not discovered you...
I recommend you to EVERYONE...
THANK YOU SO MUCH❤️
Christmas actually doesn't end until January 6. People who decorate at Halloween and take it all down the day after Christmas really big me! The Wise Men were NOT at the manager. They came as much as 2 years later. Gift giving did not end the day Jesus was born. January 6 commemorates their visit with gifts.
People do what works for them. Embrace differences, it makes us all richer 🥰
People seem to "skip" Advent, the time for spiritual preparation for the birth of Christ. I know everyone doesn't live by the same Faith. It's always nice to see someone who celebrates the Christmas Octave.beginning Christmas. The season runs through the Feast of the Baptism of our Lord, so we are on no hurry to stop celebrating or take down decorations! 😊
@vzimmer1951 That’s only for people who are Catholic or some other more ritualistic denomination. The rest of us have things that are important to us. Rituals aren’t life-giving to us, they are stifling and life-sucking.
@@cynthiafisher9907 You do you. It's not really necessary to make such negative comments about someone else's religion. In fact, it's kind of rude. If you think about it, humans have many rituals that help us through life, or even through the day. I'm sorry you're feeling so bad at the start of the Holiday season. I hope you feel better. You might even try a new ritual yourself, whether religious or secular. It may help you get through this difficult time.
@@radiantmessenger3369 I wasn’t saying anything negative about anyone’s religion, I was just saying it isn’t a hard and fast rule for everyone. And I’m having a great holiday, sitting in front of a crackling fire on a cool evening.
hahahaha i love you, Dana. You're so funny and I relate with you on "things" so hard. have a fabulous holiday.
Buy for $6.00 now… or spending $200 on after Christmas stuff I don’t need but love the day after Christmas 😂❤ … but I love it!😅
I got a WHOLE LOT of boxes and things ready to go to the dumpster...
But I have physical problems ..and could not get it out...
I put it in the kitchen to see it ...
but I felt so bad...
The first sunny day after a couple of weeks of fog and cold...I started to think it would be another week..
I prayed and said...I will do that one box...
It took me two hours ..resting in between..and used my wheelchair to do it..I FEEL like I am going to make it...
I am trying to get back to college online in Jan..to be in a better financial place after a life of abuse...
I got approved for financial stuff..but could not get my apt decluttered...
I want to get my life ORGANIZED...after a lifetime of abuse while taking good care of family..who turned around to steal EVERYTHING...
I could not have even started without YOU...
THANK YOU...❤️
BTW...I got the WHOLE MESS OUT...NOT JUST ONE BOX!
Congratulations, Dorothy and good luck on your goals. Coming out on the other side is wonderful. My life is so much more peaceful and full of contentment and moments of joy now.
I Love Your Work! Thank you Dana, your tips are so useful, relevant, practical and inspiring - as always! 🌟
Put other bits of decor / stuff away in the Xmas boxes to make Christmas decor feel less chaotic 🤯 feels so ridiculously obvious I should have worked it out but sooooo not obvious to me !- thanks Dana ❤
Most of my normal decorations are live plants so they must stay but luckily I have pared down so much stuff that there was plenty of space left for the Christmas stuff which is very minimal anyway. I also had to give away the Christmas tree due to my cat constantly trying to climb it, instead I got one of those vintage inspired retro tabletop tree! 🐈⬛
I need your help so very badly!
Love your shirt Dana! ❤🎉 All great ideas! Yes I take old decor down, I look for things to declutter in my Christmas bins as I’m decorating, I do put little touches thru the entire house but I don’t go hog wild. The worst/best (LOL) thing I have is a HUGE 12 foot tree for my 12 ft ceilings and I want to keep a lot of ornaments to fill it. Otherwise I’ve really tried paring my stuff down the past 3 or so years. Thx for the motivation!
My grandma used to do this, seasonal changes, if all the ornaments were out her home would of been very cluttered.
This way she could decorate on a budget from her stashed items.
As a cricket, I also have a visual clutter threshold as well, in addition to an overall clutter threshold - my visual clutter threshold is so low that I can only have a total of 8 actual decorations out in the entirety of my small house (all extremely carefully curated and arranged): I've tried to add more multiple times, and it never, ever, works (there's only one stretch of wall that felt very bare to me when I moved in, and it's a pretty big wall, so I did add one thing to that, but that was enough to make it not feel bare anymore, the perfect amount to make it feel properly decorated). But my furniture and windows take up a very large percentage of the wall space, so it's not like all the walls are bare or that those 8 are the only decorative things in the house - the ceiling lights, windows, doors, fireplace, and furniture are all decorative, so I still get the decorated feel without my brain getting overwhelmed by visual clutter.
While that means I can't put out any Christmas decorations at my house (even switching things out wouldn't work because of how my brain insists that things be arranged), it works out because I'm never home around Christmas anyway - I always spend Christmas break at my parents' house, and they do decorate every year (my mom's a bee, and I think that my sister who lives with them might be as well, so I don't think they ever won't), so my special ornaments (4 total) live there so that I can still put them on their tree and enjoy them. I'll note, I'm not married, so I don't have a husband or kids to factor into the situation; I also don't have any roommates.
Mascara is supposed to be replaced often, so I always add that to the teen girls, mine, and my mom's stocking and tell them all to throw out the one from last year.
Wish I had seen this earlier, I have everyday decor stuff in closets, under beds and all thosse empty Christmas storage boxes just sitting in my garage. Oh well, I will know better next year.
I ❤ the replace, not add. It was an AHA moment. Thank you.
I’m not into decorations but my husband really likes Christmas lights. I got a $2 goodwill wreath and put a ton of red lights on it and hung it on a wall. It looks very soothing at night - husband really likes it. I’m gonna leave it up as long as he wants. The Red Light doesn’t work against your melatonin and sleep rhythms like white and blue. The tree has been in a tote for couple years but I hope I can transition hubby to this lighted wreath idea instead. Would love to find some type of Cross I can light up for the wall all year.
Thankyou!!!
okay after years of watching you I actually do the replace thing for holidays... YAY!!! thank you for the tips
Dude. This is brilliant. Putting the year round stuff into the Christmas boxes…just switch out…NEVER would have thought of that. Seriously. My first thought at your replacement strategy was “but where do I put the stuff I’m replacing??” Than you immediately answered my question. And also, you have a Buddy the Elf quote and an elephant bell. Can you be my new best friend?!
I love everything you just said! Decorate one room, yes! Started this a few years ago ( we are now 60, kids all married, etc) and it is so much more fun! We still love outdoor lights (but less) and a little in the dining room (pretty runner, make a fun candle scape and maybe some greens and ornaments.). Last year we downsized our tree, and it is so great to ENJOY the tree decorating now.
All our kids have been marrying and have their own homes in the area, so over the last 5 years, we have texted randomly a pic “Would you like this big Christmas tree?” And surprise! They often say yes! Even outdoor decor ( old lights, candy canes, etc, they say yes!)
You have motivated me now to just go grab a box and fill it with some other clothes, glassware ( old, scratched 30 yr old cups, that we are tired of)
I agree… I just stay away from all after Christmas sales… because I truly don’t NEED a thing! More clutter, more gas, more crowds, more storing, more stress.
Thanks for the reminders Dana... And Thank Reid for me.. I always wait for his comment bc it always gives me a chuckle! Always!!... gt
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Also, what does the sign behind you say? Loving the Snow Angels, Ice Skating, Cookie Dough and Snuggle! Thank you for this awesome advice!
FYI... I am starting from ur video 1 of 187. Yes... 187! & trying to get motivated to get "stuff" "out" of my house!! Luv hearing you talk about my issues... lol. And, by the way, I got so disgusted this yr that I did not finish putting up my Christmas. Its all good tho. lol Thanks ahead of time Glenda
OMG, after Christmas sale shopping is my kryptonite. I've refocused that day and go outside with my family instead of shopping. I don't need any more stuff and the temptation is too strong to get cute things that are super cheap.
Love this - thank you! After 3 moves in 13 months, I decided I just could NOT go through one more box, much less the 17 green and red tupperware boxes containing 50+ years of memories, decor, and fun stuff that I would use for less than a month but would add more stress to my "today." I chose to smile and handle all of the 20+ monogrammed family stockings in the stockings box, yet only pulled out and hung the three for the three of us who will actually be here for the big day. I chose a few red and white silk poinsettias and stuck them in an tin container as a mantle-piece; I stuck some raffia in there and it's the cutest country cabin look ever. Best of all, I don't feel guilty - I feel like I can go read a book on the couch, by the fire, with my dog today, instead of decorating 'because that's what we usually do this time of year.'
I LOVE your tip about thinking now about the after-Christmas sales. I was just thinking yesterday I need a new tree skirt and I stopped myself because I've been trying to get out of the "I need (xyz)" mindset so I sat with and considered do I actually need one now? No, I don't. For now, the one I have will work even though the little buttons have all fallen off. What would I like to have instead? I'd really like one of those that looks like a barrel since I have cats now and they are constantly moving the fabric one all over the place (which is exactly why it no longer has buttons lol) So now thanks to you I can look for one at the after- Christmas sales and hopefully get one on sale!!! Thanks Dana, you are amazing.
Oh my goodness- the twinkle light theory of getting what you actually need NOW rather than waiting until the sales and then ending up being tempted with all the reduced stuff- you have saved me so much time, money and energy, Dana! This explained a lot about how my mind works and I was like ohhhh I get it! You’re a genius & I love you! Honestly your videos, books & podcasts have made me feel more sane and in control and actually able to manage my things & keep my home under control. Thank you 💖🌸⭐️
One space! Yes! I don’t get the multiple trees and every room decorated! Only after Christmas item I do is Christmas cards. I have a specific box that has my advent wreath so they are easy to pull out after Thanksgiving because I like working on them Black Friday instead of going out!
Yuletide is a pagan rememberence and celebration,.welcoming back the light of the sun! After December 20/21 st; the longest night, the sun appears to be still on the Southern cross, the lowest point in the sky, on December 25 the the sun seems to 'rise' on the horizon again.
Thus many tribes and cultures celebrate the return of the light again with yule & yuletide... The Christmas tree, an evergreen, was decorated in the forest, to give thanks to the land creatures and spirits. Inside the house candles or fires were lit, in order to beat the darkness our ancestors used to experience in winter. Midwinter, the actual beginning of our winter season, was a sign that days would become longer again and the darkness/dark spirits once again were driven out.
It actually heralds the start of the real winter months, which folks needed to 'fatten up' for, in order to survive. Wintertime was harsh. If one would survive depended on proper planning and harvesting throughout the years, and a lot of luck.
Various Xmas elements still remind us of this, such as: the tree, the lights, yule, yuletide, yule log, yule boar, red and green colors,, wreaths, gift giving, mistletoe, etc..)
In order to spread Christianity quicker under the Roman empire, they adopted many yuletide rituals and symbols, in order to 'familiarize' our ancestors with the new religion.
Natural elements can be found on walks and will be able to compost after the holiday is done. All one needs to decorate are a few ribbons, and creative thinking.
We create new decor every holiday, by using fabrics, felt or clay, together with twigs and natural decor found on our walks. This has become a lovely family tradition in our family.