While watching this, I kept thinking ‘I wish I was a kid in that house’.... it looks like what Christmas memories are made of!! You did an amazing job of decluttering while still creating a magical and sentimental holiday.
Agreed ! While all of these purging programs are good, it is important to modify them to meet the needs of your family. I modified my purge when I realized that I had all of the Santa stuff when I detest Santa and do not believe in the Santa storyline and it goes against my religious beliefs. I thought to myself “why do I buy all this commercial Christmas stuff, especially Santa and cartoon stuff”? I don’t even want to celebrate Christmas. (I would prefer to celebrate a more somber or quiet event on a day that represents the birth of Christ, but I’ve given in by compromise to my husband to eliminate Halloween) So we got rid of everything with Santa, Elves, or Magical. I still have quite a bit but I’ve downsized and I feel so much better about it.
"What is the matter with me?" The answer: three children. Really, be kind to yourself. It is normal to let things go and then realize that things need to change. Really, be kinder to yourself. Congratulations on the declutter. It looks great.
I realized that I didn't enjoy putting everything up all the time, and while it's all so pretty, it's a pain to get it out, put it up, and then put it away in January. So a few years ago I got rid of everything that doesn't bring me or my family joy. We now have two trees (one 8ft for family/special ornaments, and one 12ft 'pretty' tree of all silver/white/clear glass, much of which is handmade), three ornament crates (equal in space to two bins) and 2 bins of other decor. We decorated in 2 hours on Saturday. We also purged activities. A few years ago when I asked my boys (now teenagers) what their favorite holiday traditions were, it was things like getting new pajamas, having time to play games/watch movies, enjoying a few very specific 'party' foods, and having our special church/family gatherings. So we now say no to everything else. I truly love the simplicity of it all. There's less pressure for me to make everyone's holidays 'perfect,' and my kids/hubby truly appreciate not having to hear me barking instructions for days to make it all happen. We all can rest and reflect on God's gift to us.
I agree on the purging of activities. I used to do A LOT of baking which cost both time and money. I ended up eating most of it and my kids only ate a few specific things which are readily available from the bakery. My kids aren’t into baking so that activity is out. So now we will use the time for things we never seem to have time to do. And maybe I won’t gain as much weight in the process 😉
I'm with you, Colleen. I had way more stuff than I actually loved, and the chore of putting it all up ultimately wasn't worth it for me. Now, I only have the few items I actually enjoy displaying. Way less stressful, especially when it's supposed to be a peaceful holiday.
@@sharonritchie7115 Baking is the thing I love doing most during the holiday season, whereas running around to 15 different houses really triggers my anxiety. I agree that you should focus your precious time doing the things you actually love, rather than trying to hold up "traditions" just for the sake of always having done them before. I wish you a very lovely holiday!
I have about the same number of bins! It’s ridiculous. I put them all together in the middle of the garage and it was the first time I’ve seen the magnitude of what I’ve collected or been given over the years. We don’t even use half of it. This is the year to purge. I’ve donated several bins already and recycled/thrown away the bins of trash (you are not alone in that). Great video as always! Very relatable. Also, I like the garland straight across. 😉
Wow, that's a lot of Christmas decorations!! I have halved mine now to 2 bins plus the box with the tree. I only put lights on the front upstairs windows and then the rest of the decorations are on the ground floor. I have a bin for tree decorations and one for everything else. I am donating some decorations to our local homeless shelter this year. They support those who are rehomed too and who need everything so I hope they bring cheer to someone else. Even with only 2 bins, I still found decorations that I had forgotten about!! You are doing so well, it's hard to decide to let things go. I use the minimal mom's idea of "how much inventory do I want to manage" and "do I want to go through this again next year?" She calls it deferred decision making. I have found those ideas helpful!! Hope you and your family have a magical Christmas season and create many happy memories xx
I like the kids tree idea :) Its cool and involving for them and no need to worry out about them handling fragile stuff! Heres hoping that when they are teens, they will set up the adult tree for you ;)
It’s the same process though, right? as for any of our “sentimental extras.” The information is beneficial in a variety of scenarios. Very inspiring and helpful.
After 5 years of living on my own, I have my first tree... i made popcorn garland and orange slice ornaments... I do hope that it will remain minimal. Congrats on declutterling! It looks great
@@EricaLucasLoves No, about an afternoon with my boyfriend, with a christmas movie on. We did a few pieces of popcorn and then a cranberry and repeated that. (We'll hang if for the birds after xmas) it's a fun project and I used to do it every year as a kid
Love the sunroom ❤️ Getting rid of Christmas items feels great!!! You gave away Nice stuff. It’s going to make another house Smile because they can now afford something beautiful too.
I love Christmas. My mother came through the great depression. We even had to save the wrapping paper, from year to year, iron it and use it again. We used the same ornaments for every year. We would string popcorn, make paper chains, Nothing was ever wasted. Just can't get used to this generation of things being so easily discarded. I am glad to see you have donated so much.
The problem I think, comes from acquiring too much to begin with. My parents are Gen-X, and they were always buying more, more, and more every year. Before I moved out, my mom would pull all the decorations down from the attic and it looked like she was drowning in stuff. I think that image, more than anything else, drives me to purge and get rid of things that don't actually do anything but take up space. I'm working now on being more mindful of what I buy in the first place.
I had a little smile and giggle every time I spotted a decoration that said 'Joy'. My mum's name is Joy and it is also mine and my daughter's middle name, so every Christmas I end up buying some sort of decoration that says 'Joy'. It's become a bit of a sentimental tradition each year. I can't help myself!
The purged bookcase looks so nice with those decorations. Each decoration having "air to breath" and not battling with other stuff for attention and space. :) Merry Christmas
Great job! I like the hanging down best. It helped me to put my decor away packed by color and theme so I can put it out little by little. I don't do a big tree anymore because we moved to a smaller house and I have no place to store it. But I gave all the special ornaments to my daughters and I can visit them. When they were about 10 or 12 I started to have too many ornaments and started boxes for each of them and they put up little trees in their room. When they got married I added a bunch of our family ornaments to their boxes and gave them to them so they had beautiful trees their first year of marriage.
You remind me of my family with the thirty bins! Except they have much more, ha. 😁 I (single gal) used to have like 8 boxes but I downsized to two boxes of well loved and sentimental decorations and a tree box. This year I'm down to one...not by choice. I had a snow globe I never even thought twice about leak and everything got moldy because it was a plastic tote. Anyway, love your decorations and the whole declutter series. Very motivating. And straight across!
I purged my Christmas stuff to one large plastic box. It was hard, but it’s so much easier to get in and out of storage and the things we kept are even more memorable. I did keep all my Star Trek ornaments.
I went through my holiday decorations last year and it was such a relief. I discovered that I really didn't enjoy the labor of putting everything up only to pack it all up and haul it back into the attic in January. So, now I get to look forward to just doing the tree, the mantle, the dining table centerpiece, and a few strings of colored lights outside. All my decorations (except the tree in its bag) take up only 3 bins, one of which is tree ornaments. It really frees me up to focus on my favorite holiday tradition, x-mas cookies!!! ***Edit: I like the garland straight across.***
I love your videos. You make me feel like I am not crazy. I packed and moved a bag of garbage! (Luckily only paper garbage and probably did it on purpose in case something accidentally got thrown away.) I love your house decorations. I am a grandmother and go to my kids. It seems like too much work to put up the big tree and all the things I have. I picked out a few favorites to put out. Time to go through the boxes and give the kids (who aren't sentimental all the stuff that is important to me, and donate the rest. Thank you for the inspiration!
I finally ended up purging all the random Christmas craft ornaments my kids have made over the years. I kept the ones that look nice and have their little handprints and stuff, but oh my gracious, some of that stuff like the cheap stick on foam ornaments got thrown away finally. It also helped that we downsized to a small tree this year. You did a great job!
Wow, so many decors! We stopped celebrating Christmas (and any other festivities), we don't have a single piece of decoration, but we enjoy our time by the end of the year reading books we wouldn't be able to afford by expending money on decor and food. I love the handmade felt ornaments!
First thank you for making me feel normal with the random nonsense like packing an empty Amazon envelope. Second I liked hanging down. Finally this is such a special time of year and I think the decorations change from situations like having a puppy. It's ok to hang onto your decorations. My decorations have made big changes. When my son was little we made our ornaments and decorations. It started because we were poor but it became part of our tradition because my son loved it so much. To this day we still make them. Actually I make them lol because he's an adult and not into it but still wants them handmade. We keep one from previous years.
Erica, you have truly got the minimalist bug, girlfriend! It’s so amazing what you have done so far with your house. I kindly recommmend that you store your “baby’s first Christmas” keepsakes in a separate box other than with the Christmas ornaments. Doing this helps you to keep better track of your usable stuff. I love your channel and can tell from other comments that you motivate many others. Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Erica it was so nice to watch your new video. I say leave the shelf decoration straight across. It looks neater. Also, kudos on all the declutter you've done this season. XOXO from FL.
We tackled our basement this past weekend. It took us all weekend, but the results are amazing! We had 3 truckloads of donations. I even donated all of the Christmas stuff, including the tree. It’s time for new anyway, but I’m going to keep anything new coming in extremely simple. We now have a functional, clean and beautiful home gym, xl pantry, laundry, bathroom and mud room. NO clutter! I’m grateful to have found you, you’ve been such an inspiration!
Love the frames of the kids with Santa each year. And your 2 tier tray came out so great!! We have lots of Christmas books too. I hope you find that putting out less still makes your home feel festive but gives you more time to spend together and enjoy the important parts of the season!
I have three big Rubbermaid bins that are each half full. I was tempted to get rid of one but it's easier to not have them jam packed. Then I have two smaller bins for the first things I want to put out. And lastly two even smaller stacking ornament bins. I'll probably donate a few more things this year, but last year was my big purge.
Great Job! Your kids probably won’t grow up thinking, “we had the best Christmas as kids because my mom had thousands of decor. We put out very little and I assure you my kids don’t think they missed out. We make putting up our 1 family tree and mantle pieces a special experience so it’s not about the “things”.
The decorations look really great. I struggle with sentimental items as well so I understand. I have birthday cards from when I was a kid 😂🤷🏽♀️ if it brings you joy which obviously it does then keep it. From the smile on your face you love Christmas and make it special for your family every year.
I still have some Christmas decorations had made from my mom.... we don'teven celebrate Christmas. Why do I keep them. I keep planning on giving them to my sister. But still havent.
Right on time! I've worked clear thru my fall declutter into the Xmas declutter. I've given away at least 3 bags of stuff per week. I'm also regifting some crystal candlesticks.
@@EricaLucasLoves Fantastic! I even rewrote the "12 Days of Xmas"...I didn't have a partridge or a pear tree to give away, but I subbed with stuff I'm letting go of. Makes things even more fun! Thank you for inspiring my journey and helping me ready myself for a new year. I hope your holidays will be even more bright and joyful than ever... and the coming year, too!
You are awesome! Great job you are doing for yourself and your family! I saw that some people will set up a small tray in their kitchen with mugs and hot chocolate packets as a seasonal treat. You could keep marshmallows in a small container. You could keep peppermint sticks also on the tray this way you could keep your 4 mugs out for your entire family to enjoy.🎄
It looks like you were evaluating whether or not to keep some Christmas garland/crafting supplies... which made me think about ALL the crafting clutter I had accumulated over the years. If you are in the same boat, it would be AWESOME to see you do a crafting declutter! For me, I chose a space my crafting supplies had to fit into and the stuff that didn't fit had to go. As for keeping NEW crafting supplies from sneaking into my house, I made a new rule... "You can't BUY the crafty thing unless you MAKE the crafty thing THE SAME NIGHT." Poof! No more out of control crafting collections. Seriously, that rule has worked wonders for me!
Renee, I LOVE YOUR RULE!!! Another helpful limitation is only having a set number of "in-progress" projects at a time. I do a lot of sewing, so there's not a lot I can finish in a night. But, I never have more than 3 projects, so I have to finish one before I can start another. Per your other point, having a defined space for things really helps me get control over all kinds of categories. For example, I only have 50 beautiful matched hangers, so that's a hard limit on hanging clothes.
I really love your videos and the know the struggle. I am taking baby step towards my declutter as well. Thanks for sharing and I like the garland straight across. Please , love and Joy.
I have found with those sentimental things that time can really help with decision making. I bet next Christmas you'll feel able to let even more go, until you reach the limit that satisfies you. I have found it helpful sometimes to set a reminder in my phone for six months or so down the track (ie if I've packed something into a box but am not sure if I need or want it). Once I get the reminder I feel more sure either way of whether it had a place in my life during those six months or whether I can get rid of it. I love your Christmas decorations!
You have some fun decorations! It's good you live far away. Otherwise, I would have been the friend going through your donation pile to take things home! 🤣
We downsized some of our Christmas decorations last year (or year before ?) but now I am eager to see if more can go after watching your success. Hubby hates to let anything go. I have been gentle on him & praise him when he does. Slow & steady even though I just want to chuck or donate “now”. Thanks again for the inspiration! Hugs 🤗
So glad to welcome you on this life changing journey. I decluttered and downsized our whole house and then just kept on. Probably 70% is gone. I love the process but it gets a little addictive. Also screws up shopping and antiquing. Life is better lighter and lots more money so it’s worth it.
This was great motivation because I need to go through all my Christmas decorations...today is the day. Thanks for sharing. Happy holidays to you and your family.
Christmas decorations are such a challenge. It has always been a very big thing in my family -- I have TONS of decorations. Have simplified to one tree, BUT still have all the ornaments for two large trees. Sentimental attachments comes into play big time with Christmas ornaments. My joy comes in remembering "who" gave me each ornament. As I hang them on my tree, I think about that person, whether they are still with us or not -- I love that part of it. I also have a Christmas "village" that was mostly given to me as gifts from my mom. I am ready to let it go, but worry she would be so upset with me, and worry about the "value" of it. But really, are these thing worth anything if we can't sell them. And how hard would it be to sell it item by item, ship it, etc. I don't put it out every year, but it takes up so much space in many containers -- I think I have six containers that are village alone. Planning on purging a lot of unused ornaments and odds and ends this year as I decorate.
Good for you dealing with the Christmas items now. I bet it made decorating more rewarding. 🎄😄Also next year you don’t have to go through it. Decluttering before Christmas is also great because thrift stores and donations centres can sell items now. I loved your intro it made me laugh. 😂
I finally got rid of all my Christmas trees by donating them. It just got to be too much for me to get out, decorate and take down every year with no help and too disruptive in the rooms. Yay. But now I’ve messed up my craft room with more crafts and can’t even manage to get to the Christmas storage attic on the other side of the room. Oh, my. One obsession to another! Sigh....
30 bins? Oh my Mama! Bless you! lol! I think at one point I had 3 bins! I'm down to one bin for the ornaments and a shelf in my hutch for 'special' things - like a hand carved santa (by my husband's friend), an antique candy dish and a music box that is over 30 years old. Oh and...we have one 6ft tree!
Four bins full of donations! This is amazing, I am happy if I manage to get one full bin! Awesome! Wish you and your family a lovely Christmas season! ☃️
Needed to see this today! I’m about to get my decorations out and am about to purge a lot. I don’t have as many bins but it sure feels like I do lol I also love that you’re donating so much! 🥰 it’s a great feeling to know that even if you’re not keeping these items, they might bring joy to someone else.
Hardest decision ever!!! But the blessing you've given will come back to you in other ways. I somehow donated all my Xmas magnets??? So went to a shelter store and got 6 for a buck fifty! It's really hard when you've got little one and want them to enjoy it all. You've come a long way!
Your Christmas decorating looks really great! ❤️ It looks like a joyful, welcoming home. I’m glad you kept the things you love. I would suggest on your bottom tray of the 2 tier to find something to lift one of the items up a little just to vary the height.
We have one box of Advent season decorations and one of Christmas tree ornaments. Whatever we have, are given and buy must fit into those two boxes when we put everything away. That makes it easier for me to let go of things, because there are strict rules on both space and time. The Advent candles must be in place by the 4th Sunday before Christmas and our compromise on the Christmas tree is to put it up 2 Sundays before Christmas. Everything must be away between January 1st and January 6th. We argued so much about the what and when of Christmas traditions (because we come from different cultures) that we are pretty pig-headed about sticking to the timings, which probably makes it easier for us too.
@@EricaLucasLoves & by the way, u r stronger than me. I can't let go of my Christmas stuff. Lol! I have given fully decorated trees away a couple of times yrs ago cuz where I lived I was a single parent with 3 trees. I just couldn't keep 3 trees when I personally knew of families that had no tree, so I gave 2 away. Now when I have 2 much stuff I pass it down 2 my daughters& my grands.
Love watching your videos and cheering for you from the sidelines!❤️ One thing I thought of after watching the video today that might help you decorate is some museum putty. I bought some on Amazon (Quakehold Collectors Museum Putty) and it's great for holding things down like your little BELIEVE sign on your tray or some of the little trees. It keeps things in place but not permanently. It's awesome!
I have so much Christmas stuff to declutter. The problem is my 86 year-old mother and does not want to get rid of any of it. Out of about 15 boxes I was only able to get rid of one box. I'm hoping that in putting away the Christmas ornaments at the end of the Christmas season in a week but I will be able to get rid of some more. At least a small box
What a great job going through all of the bins. I wanted to say thank you. In one of your last videos you said you were going to ask yourself "what do I want to keep" and that that made letting go easier. Well, after 8 years (I kind you not) of trying and failing to let go of my HUGE stash of clothes fabric I did it. I just asked myself that one simple question and voilà. The 20% I kept are actually being made in to clothes and the rest went to donation. I am soooo glad I came across your channel. Happy Holidays (oh and I think you have wonderful hair 😊).
We have one xmas decor bin which is full. If I want to add something new, something needs to go. We have a small 5 ft tree that fits all of our childhood and gifted ornaments.
Every year I have been decluttering Christmas has been challenging this year I looked for things I donated last year I was sad at first but am ok .I am going to be kind to myself and not declutter Christmas till next year I have not been well . I am down to 4 buckets donated a truck load last year I relate to your videos , I struggle with hoarding things .
I like the garland straight across. Wow! 30 bins- you really do love Christmas! My trees have been kid trees since 6 yo grandbaby was born, But last year, I had bought some name ornaments, and silly me- they were glass. They didn't make it, sadly. :( This year, we only broke too. Another one I thought was plastic, and an actual plastic one. How does a plastic ornament break?? No idea! I didn't have my eyes on the 3 yo, at the time. Oh well. Merry Christmas! You donated so much!! Good job! And other people will be so happy to get such good stuff. Especially the shelter.
I did gain control of Christmas. A theme helps. My tree only has Angels, my rooms only have Angels or nativity sets. We have a few lights. We do not have anything outside. We do have traditions centered around people and food. But ‘stuff’ is under control.
You are fast becoming my favorite RUclipsr! You content is real and relatable. U struggle and like real people persevere to overcome!!! Did u finish the basement yet? I think we all have that last place where we shove the stuff we’re not sure to do with! What I do in that case is created specific piles, like one for books, one for paper, one for decorations etc. then u know how much space u need for each category or u realize which category needs more minimalising!!! Do u have an e-mail or somewhere we can share pics of our progress as I’m on the same path as you just not able to move as fast as we are re-constructing/ decorating upstairs first!
Sally Evans hi! Yes! I’m sharing the final basement declutter next week. I’m so happy with the result. If you are on IG you can send me pics there or my email address is in the description box above. Message me anytime!
good job, it is only for us days of the year. in mine country we have to christmas day's december 24 christmas eve. december 25 first christmas day and december 26 the second christmas day. When i moved i let go of christmas decor and a very big tree. we have now 3 boxes smaller than you bins. and i few items that are to big. We have to puppies. one is 11 month's and is a australian shepperd and the other is a saint bernard fomalmost 6 month's our tree is this year a smaller one that stands high. i love to decorate i am not good in it. but the 3 dogs, cat and children makes is hard. enjoy the time. i kept only the thing that i setup last year. that was mine challenge.
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While watching this, I kept thinking ‘I wish I was a kid in that house’.... it looks like what Christmas memories are made of!! You did an amazing job of decluttering while still creating a magical and sentimental holiday.
Rebecca Jeske thank you!! The kids helping makes a difference. They love their own tree.
Agreed ! While all of these purging programs are good, it is important to modify them to meet the needs of your family. I modified my purge when I realized that I had all of the Santa stuff when I detest Santa and do not believe in the Santa storyline and it goes against my religious beliefs. I thought to myself “why do I buy all this commercial Christmas stuff, especially Santa and cartoon stuff”? I don’t even want to celebrate Christmas. (I would prefer to celebrate a more somber or quiet event on a day that represents the birth of Christ, but I’ve given in by compromise to my husband to eliminate Halloween)
So we got rid of everything with Santa, Elves, or Magical. I still have quite a bit but I’ve downsized and I feel so much better about it.
"What is the matter with me?" The answer: three children. Really, be kind to yourself. It is normal to let things go and then realize that things need to change. Really, be kinder to yourself. Congratulations on the declutter. It looks great.
I realized that I didn't enjoy putting everything up all the time, and while it's all so pretty, it's a pain to get it out, put it up, and then put it away in January. So a few years ago I got rid of everything that doesn't bring me or my family joy. We now have two trees (one 8ft for family/special ornaments, and one 12ft 'pretty' tree of all silver/white/clear glass, much of which is handmade), three ornament crates (equal in space to two bins) and 2 bins of other decor. We decorated in 2 hours on Saturday. We also purged activities. A few years ago when I asked my boys (now teenagers) what their favorite holiday traditions were, it was things like getting new pajamas, having time to play games/watch movies, enjoying a few very specific 'party' foods, and having our special church/family gatherings. So we now say no to everything else. I truly love the simplicity of it all. There's less pressure for me to make everyone's holidays 'perfect,' and my kids/hubby truly appreciate not having to hear me barking instructions for days to make it all happen. We all can rest and reflect on God's gift to us.
I agree on the purging of activities. I used to do A LOT of baking which cost both time and money. I ended up eating most of it and my kids only ate a few specific things which are readily available from the bakery. My kids aren’t into baking so that activity is out. So now we will use the time for things we never seem to have time to do. And maybe I won’t gain as much weight in the process 😉
I'm with you, Colleen. I had way more stuff than I actually loved, and the chore of putting it all up ultimately wasn't worth it for me. Now, I only have the few items I actually enjoy displaying. Way less stressful, especially when it's supposed to be a peaceful holiday.
@@sharonritchie7115 Baking is the thing I love doing most during the holiday season, whereas running around to 15 different houses really triggers my anxiety. I agree that you should focus your precious time doing the things you actually love, rather than trying to hold up "traditions" just for the sake of always having done them before. I wish you a very lovely holiday!
I have about the same number of bins! It’s ridiculous. I put them all together in the middle of the garage and it was the first time I’ve seen the magnitude of what I’ve collected or been given over the years. We don’t even use half of it. This is the year to purge. I’ve donated several bins already and recycled/thrown away the bins of trash (you are not alone in that). Great video as always! Very relatable.
Also, I like the garland straight across. 😉
Sarah Hill thanks! I think I like it straight across too. Yes!!! That sounds like too much-just like I dealt with. Good luck!!!
Wow, that's a lot of Christmas decorations!! I have halved mine now to 2 bins plus the box with the tree. I only put lights on the front upstairs windows and then the rest of the decorations are on the ground floor. I have a bin for tree decorations and one for everything else. I am donating some decorations to our local homeless shelter this year. They support those who are rehomed too and who need everything so I hope they bring cheer to someone else. Even with only 2 bins, I still found decorations that I had forgotten about!! You are doing so well, it's hard to decide to let things go. I use the minimal mom's idea of "how much inventory do I want to manage" and "do I want to go through this again next year?" She calls it deferred decision making. I have found those ideas helpful!! Hope you and your family have a magical Christmas season and create many happy memories xx
Karen Harris when I pack up I’m going to think about that!! What do I want to unpack next year? How do I want to unpack it?
Love this thought process. It would work in most decluttering categories. Thanks Karen! 🥰
I like the kids tree idea :) Its cool and involving for them and no need to worry out about them handling fragile stuff! Heres hoping that when they are teens, they will set up the adult tree for you ;)
Who else doesn’t celebrate Christmas but clicked on this anyway? 🤗✋🏼 Love your videos girl!
It’s the same process though, right? as for any of our “sentimental extras.” The information is beneficial in a variety of scenarios. Very inspiring and helpful.
Watching your videos brings me joy
Your hair is your crowning glory. What a beauty. Just wanted to tell you.
After 5 years of living on my own, I have my first tree... i made popcorn garland and orange slice ornaments... I do hope that it will remain minimal.
Congrats on declutterling! It looks great
Sarah Labbé how lovely! Did it take a while to make the garland?
@@EricaLucasLoves No, about an afternoon with my boyfriend, with a christmas movie on. We did a few pieces of popcorn and then a cranberry and repeated that. (We'll hang if for the birds after xmas) it's a fun project and I used to do it every year as a kid
Sarah Labbé aw! That sounds so nice to do together.
Love the sunroom ❤️
Getting rid of Christmas items feels great!!!
You gave away Nice stuff. It’s going to make another house Smile because they can now afford something beautiful too.
I love Christmas. My mother came through the great depression. We even had to save the wrapping paper, from year to year, iron it and use it again. We used the same ornaments for every year. We would string popcorn, make paper chains, Nothing was ever wasted. Just can't get used to this generation of things being so easily discarded. I am glad to see you have donated so much.
The problem I think, comes from acquiring too much to begin with. My parents are Gen-X, and they were always buying more, more, and more every year. Before I moved out, my mom would pull all the decorations down from the attic and it looked like she was drowning in stuff. I think that image, more than anything else, drives me to purge and get rid of things that don't actually do anything but take up space. I'm working now on being more mindful of what I buy in the first place.
I had a little smile and giggle every time I spotted a decoration that said 'Joy'. My mum's name is Joy and it is also mine and my daughter's middle name, so every Christmas I end up buying some sort of decoration that says 'Joy'. It's become a bit of a sentimental tradition each year. I can't help myself!
The purged bookcase looks so nice with those decorations. Each decoration having "air to breath" and not battling with other stuff for attention and space. :) Merry Christmas
Biadora S merry Christmas!
Garland straight across. Love the tray idea. 🎄
I think you did amazing just going through everything let alone everything you donated. Each year it'll get easier but you did awesome! 🎄 🎅
Mandy Laprade thanks Mandy!
Great job! I like the hanging down best. It helped me to put my decor away packed by color and theme so I can put it out little by little. I don't do a big tree anymore because we moved to a smaller house and I have no place to store it. But I gave all the special ornaments to my daughters and I can visit them. When they were about 10 or 12 I started to have too many ornaments and started boxes for each of them and they put up little trees in their room. When they got married I added a bunch of our family ornaments to their boxes and gave them to them so they had beautiful trees their first year of marriage.
You remind me of my family with the thirty bins! Except they have much more, ha. 😁 I (single gal) used to have like 8 boxes but I downsized to two boxes of well loved and sentimental decorations and a tree box. This year I'm down to one...not by choice. I had a snow globe I never even thought twice about leak and everything got moldy because it was a plastic tote. Anyway, love your decorations and the whole declutter series. Very motivating. And straight across!
Garland straight across. You are doing a fantastic job, it certainly isn't easy.
Your house looked so Christmas-y even with all the decluttering!!
I purged my Christmas stuff to one large plastic box. It was hard, but it’s so much easier to get in and out of storage and the things we kept are even more memorable. I did keep all my Star Trek ornaments.
I went through my holiday decorations last year and it was such a relief. I discovered that I really didn't enjoy the labor of putting everything up only to pack it all up and haul it back into the attic in January. So, now I get to look forward to just doing the tree, the mantle, the dining table centerpiece, and a few strings of colored lights outside. All my decorations (except the tree in its bag) take up only 3 bins, one of which is tree ornaments. It really frees me up to focus on my favorite holiday tradition, x-mas cookies!!!
***Edit: I like the garland straight across.***
30 bins, oh my!!!! So proud!!!!
Straight across! Looking good!
I like the garland straight across on top of your shelf system. So very, very pretty!!
I love your videos. You make me feel like I am not crazy. I packed and moved a bag of garbage! (Luckily only paper garbage and probably did it on purpose in case something accidentally got thrown away.) I love your house decorations. I am a grandmother and go to my kids. It seems like too much work to put up the big tree and all the things I have. I picked out a few favorites to put out. Time to go through the boxes and give the kids (who aren't sentimental all the stuff that is important to me, and donate the rest. Thank you for the inspiration!
Beach Lover wonderful! Your kids would love to have some of your treasures.
I finally ended up purging all the random Christmas craft ornaments my kids have made over the years. I kept the ones that look nice and have their little handprints and stuff, but oh my gracious, some of that stuff like the cheap stick on foam ornaments got thrown away finally. It also helped that we downsized to a small tree this year. You did a great job!
Very nice decorations! I really like the 2 tier tray & the photos in red frames.
Wow, so many decors! We stopped celebrating Christmas (and any other festivities), we don't have a single piece of decoration, but we enjoy our time by the end of the year reading books we wouldn't be able to afford by expending money on decor and food.
I love the handmade felt ornaments!
Your children are so lucky to have a great mum like you. Hope your hobbies know this too. Xx
I'm giving away 50% of my Xmas decor again. Did the same last year. Today, I also gave away 5 necklaces. Tomorrow, I'll off load 4-5 bathroom items.
Stacey Kersting woohoo!!!!!
I am so proud of you Erica! Decluttering what’s difficult for you is a big step forward.
I love the two-tiered tray - you can decorate it for every holiday. The music was great. Also weeding as the holiday is almost upon us. Happy Day!
The kids tree is such a great idea!
First thank you for making me feel normal with the random nonsense like packing an empty Amazon envelope.
Second I liked hanging down.
Finally this is such a special time of year and I think the decorations change from situations like having a puppy. It's ok to hang onto your decorations. My decorations have made big changes. When my son was little we made our ornaments and decorations. It started because we were poor but it became part of our tradition because my son loved it so much. To this day we still make them. Actually I make them lol because he's an adult and not into it but still wants them handmade. We keep one from previous years.
The two tier Christmas tray turned out ADORABLE!! And I loved the red framed photos of your beautiful family with the year on them. Too cute!
Erica, you have truly got the minimalist bug, girlfriend! It’s so amazing what you have done so far with your house. I kindly recommmend that you store your “baby’s first Christmas” keepsakes in a separate box other than with the Christmas ornaments. Doing this helps you to keep better track of your usable stuff. I love your channel and can tell from other comments that you motivate many others. Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Karen Fisher that’s a good idea!! I would love a first year shadow box for each kiddo.
I love all your videos! Thanks for the encouragement to keep decluttering. 😊
Erica it was so nice to watch your new video. I say leave the shelf decoration straight across. It looks neater. Also, kudos on all the declutter you've done this season. XOXO from FL.
I like the Garland straight across😊 you're doing great! Christmas was my hardest to declutter because I love it too!
huxfamily09 oh good I like it across too.
We tackled our basement this past weekend. It took us all weekend, but the results are amazing! We had 3 truckloads of donations. I even donated all of the Christmas stuff, including the tree. It’s time for new anyway, but I’m going to keep anything new coming in extremely simple. We now have a functional, clean and beautiful home gym, xl pantry, laundry, bathroom and mud room. NO clutter! I’m grateful to have found you, you’ve been such an inspiration!
Misty L I AM SO PROUD of you!!!!!!!!! This just made my day!! Way to go!!! What a great way to repurpose!!!
Wow....I have 3 rubbermaid totes and a tree in a box....and I am downsizing from that this year.
Great going
Love the frames of the kids with Santa each year. And your 2 tier tray came out so great!! We have lots of Christmas books too. I hope you find that putting out less still makes your home feel festive but gives you more time to spend together and enjoy the important parts of the season!
RickerFam Homecrafted Happiness those frames are my fave.
I have three big Rubbermaid bins that are each half full. I was tempted to get rid of one but it's easier to not have them jam packed. Then I have two smaller bins for the first things I want to put out. And lastly two even smaller stacking ornament bins. I'll probably donate a few more things this year, but last year was my big purge.
Great Job! Your kids probably won’t grow up thinking, “we had the best Christmas as kids because my mom had thousands of decor. We put out very little and I assure you my kids don’t think they missed out. We make putting up our 1 family tree and mantle pieces a special experience so it’s not about the “things”.
I love that you sniffed him and then trashed him. 😂🤣 love your tray, too!
The decorations look really great. I struggle with sentimental items as well so I understand. I have birthday cards from when I was a kid 😂🤷🏽♀️ if it brings you joy which obviously it does then keep it. From the smile on your face you love Christmas and make it special for your family every year.
I still have some Christmas decorations had made from my mom.... we don'teven celebrate Christmas. Why do I keep them. I keep planning on giving them to my sister. But still havent.
The felt ornaments are adorable.
Right on time! I've worked clear thru my fall declutter into the Xmas declutter. I've given away at least 3 bags of stuff per week. I'm also regifting some crystal candlesticks.
Stacey Kersting yes!!!!! How have you been feeling about it?
@@EricaLucasLoves Fantastic! I even rewrote the "12 Days of Xmas"...I didn't have a partridge or a pear tree to give away, but I subbed with stuff I'm letting go of. Makes things even more fun! Thank you for inspiring my journey and helping me ready myself for a new year. I hope your holidays will be even more bright and joyful than ever... and the coming year, too!
You are awesome! Great job you are doing for yourself and your family! I saw that some people will set up a small tray in their kitchen with mugs and hot chocolate packets as a seasonal treat. You could keep marshmallows in a small container. You could keep peppermint sticks also on the tray this way you could keep your 4 mugs out for your entire family to enjoy.🎄
It looks like you were evaluating whether or not to keep some Christmas garland/crafting supplies... which made me think about ALL the crafting clutter I had accumulated over the years. If you are in the same boat, it would be AWESOME to see you do a crafting declutter! For me, I chose a space my crafting supplies had to fit into and the stuff that didn't fit had to go. As for keeping NEW crafting supplies from sneaking into my house, I made a new rule... "You can't BUY the crafty thing unless you MAKE the crafty thing THE SAME NIGHT." Poof! No more out of control crafting collections. Seriously, that rule has worked wonders for me!
Renee A good rule!! And it’s worked for you?
@@EricaLucasLoves Yes Ma'am, that rule has totally worked for me!
Renee, I LOVE YOUR RULE!!! Another helpful limitation is only having a set number of "in-progress" projects at a time. I do a lot of sewing, so there's not a lot I can finish in a night. But, I never have more than 3 projects, so I have to finish one before I can start another. Per your other point, having a defined space for things really helps me get control over all kinds of categories. For example, I only have 50 beautiful matched hangers, so that's a hard limit on hanging clothes.
@@candicewaller403 Oh Wow! I love your rule too! Setting a hard number on how many projects you have in progress! Great idea 😁
I really love your videos and the know the struggle. I am taking baby step towards my declutter as well. Thanks for sharing and I like the garland straight across. Please , love and Joy.
Katie Harley thank you! Baby steps is the way to go until you are ready for more.
Well done Erica …. You and Andy are such great parents. Merry Christmas.
I’m impressed with the magnitude of Christmas decor that you had!
You did great! I love the tray. It’s perfect!
I like the Xmas book box too. Although my son is happy to read them any time of year! I think he likes Christmas as much as you, Erica.
Great job, Erica. By the way, I love the garland straight across the top of your shelving unit.
Pat Blough me too! Thanks
Okay you convinced me. Holiday decorations are on my no buy list for 2020. God help me. Lol! Good video. Very honest and open. Thank you.
I have found with those sentimental things that time can really help with decision making. I bet next Christmas you'll feel able to let even more go, until you reach the limit that satisfies you. I have found it helpful sometimes to set a reminder in my phone for six months or so down the track (ie if I've packed something into a box but am not sure if I need or want it). Once I get the reminder I feel more sure either way of whether it had a place in my life during those six months or whether I can get rid of it. I love your Christmas decorations!
Deb Brine great idea!
You have some fun decorations! It's good you live far away. Otherwise, I would have been the friend going through your donation pile to take things home! 🤣
Adhis Boucha ha!
👏👏👏 your patience is amazing.
I wouldve thrown that believe sign in the bin after the second time it fell 😂😂😂
I like the garland way better hanging down a little
I also have a puppy issue this year. I will probably do a tabletop tree. I actually decluttered most of my ornaments last year.
Becky Smith that’s great! How does it feel this year to have already decluttered?
Awesome. Glad I did it. Still have more to declutter though.
We downsized some of our Christmas decorations last year (or year before ?) but now I am eager to see if more can go after watching your success. Hubby hates to let anything go. I have been gentle on him & praise him when he does. Slow & steady even though I just want to chuck or donate “now”.
Thanks again for the inspiration! Hugs 🤗
Faye White it must be tough when he isn’t ready to purge.
So glad to welcome you on this life changing journey. I decluttered and downsized our whole house and then just kept on. Probably 70% is gone. I love the process but it gets a little addictive. Also screws up shopping and antiquing. Life is better lighter and lots more money so it’s worth it.
Great Job Erica!!! "HAPPY HAPPY"
This was great motivation because I need to go through all my Christmas decorations...today is the day. Thanks for sharing. Happy holidays to you and your family.
Juanita Turner good luck today!!!!
Once you stop celebrating national holidays, you save so much money and time!
Christmas decorations are such a challenge. It has always been a very big thing in my family -- I have TONS of decorations. Have simplified to one tree, BUT still have all the ornaments for two large trees. Sentimental attachments comes into play big time with Christmas ornaments. My joy comes in remembering "who" gave me each ornament. As I hang them on my tree, I think about that person, whether they are still with us or not -- I love that part of it. I also have a Christmas "village" that was mostly given to me as gifts from my mom. I am ready to let it go, but worry she would be so upset with me, and worry about the "value" of it. But really, are these thing worth anything if we can't sell them. And how hard would it be to sell it item by item, ship it, etc. I don't put it out every year, but it takes up so much space in many containers -- I think I have six containers that are village alone. Planning on purging a lot of unused ornaments and odds and ends this year as I decorate.
Amo tus videos, Saludos desde Argentina :)
Decluttering Christmas stuff is difficult! I did get rid of 5 ormamemts though and thats a start....😃
Good for you dealing with the Christmas items now. I bet it made decorating more rewarding. 🎄😄Also next year you don’t have to go through it. Decluttering before Christmas is also great because thrift stores and donations centres can sell items now.
I loved your intro it made me laugh. 😂
I finally got rid of all my Christmas trees by donating them. It just got to be too much for me to get out, decorate and take down every year with no help and too disruptive in the rooms. Yay. But now I’ve messed up my craft room with more crafts and can’t even manage to get to the Christmas storage attic on the other side of the room. Oh, my. One obsession to another! Sigh....
Jeanne Taylor my mom is like that. Migrates her obsessions.
Nice job, Erica! Great decluttering and keeping what you like. I have been doing the same with each season.
30 bins? Oh my Mama! Bless you! lol! I think at one point I had 3 bins! I'm down to one bin for the ornaments and a shelf in my hutch for 'special' things - like a hand carved santa (by my husband's friend), an antique candy dish and a music box that is over 30 years old. Oh and...we have one 6ft tree!
Four bins full of donations! This is amazing, I am happy if I manage to get one full bin! Awesome! Wish you and your family a lovely Christmas season! ☃️
Anikai88 plus the three outdoor lights! I was so happy to do that.
Please give the Santa a gingerbread bubble bath😊. Perhaps you could open your own Holiday Day boutique and serve hot 🍫 and cider 💝
Dr Berta Maria Hines it was a mad funk. I’m not sure I could have helped him
Needed to see this today! I’m about to get my decorations out and am about to purge a lot. I don’t have as many bins but it sure feels like I do lol
I also love that you’re donating so much! 🥰 it’s a great feeling to know that even if you’re not keeping these items, they might bring joy to someone else.
BumbleBree how did it go?
Inspirational as always Erica ❤️🇦🇺
Hardest decision ever!!! But the blessing you've given will come back to you in other ways. I somehow donated all my Xmas magnets??? So went to a shelter store and got 6 for a buck fifty! It's really hard when you've got little one and want them to enjoy it all. You've come a long way!
Your Christmas decorating looks really great! ❤️ It looks like a joyful, welcoming home. I’m glad you kept the things you love. I would suggest on your bottom tray of the 2 tier to find something to lift one of the items up a little just to vary the height.
We have one box of Advent season decorations and one of Christmas tree ornaments. Whatever we have, are given and buy must fit into those two boxes when we put everything away. That makes it easier for me to let go of things, because there are strict rules on both space and time. The Advent candles must be in place by the 4th Sunday before Christmas and our compromise on the Christmas tree is to put it up 2 Sundays before Christmas. Everything must be away between January 1st and January 6th. We argued so much about the what and when of Christmas traditions (because we come from different cultures) that we are pretty pig-headed about sticking to the timings, which probably makes it easier for us too.
I love your new glasses!
Greens going straight across
Love your videos and your decorating
I’m down to 1 bin and the tree, so much better 🙌
Luv how u did your 2 tier tray
Belinda Roberts thank you! It’s my favorite part of decorating.
@@EricaLucasLoves & by the way, u r stronger than me. I can't let go of my Christmas stuff. Lol! I have given fully decorated trees away a couple of times yrs ago cuz where I lived I was a single parent with 3 trees. I just couldn't keep 3 trees when I personally knew of families that had no tree, so I gave 2 away. Now when I have 2 much stuff I pass it down 2 my daughters& my grands.
Belinda Roberts that’s so good to pass down as heirlooms.
Love watching your videos and cheering for you from the sidelines!❤️ One thing I thought of after watching the video today that might help you decorate is some museum putty. I bought some on Amazon (Quakehold Collectors Museum Putty) and it's great for holding things down like your little BELIEVE sign on your tray or some of the little trees. It keeps things in place but not permanently. It's awesome!
Marcia Maher never heard of that!! I will check that out.
Another great video. You're doing amazing. ❤⛄🎄🎅
I am decluttering our Christmas decor today.
Home Sweet Homeschool aaaaaaaand? How’s it going?
Erica Lucas it’s going pretty good. You motivate me!
I have so much Christmas stuff to declutter. The problem is my 86 year-old mother and does not want to get rid of any of it. Out of about 15 boxes I was only able to get rid of one box. I'm hoping that in putting away the Christmas ornaments at the end of the Christmas season in a week but I will be able to get rid of some more. At least a small box
What a great job going through all of the bins. I wanted to say thank you. In one of your last videos you said you were going to ask yourself "what do I want to keep" and that that made letting go easier. Well, after 8 years (I kind you not) of trying and failing to let go of my HUGE stash of clothes fabric I did it. I just asked myself that one simple question and voilà. The 20% I kept are actually being made in to clothes and the rest went to donation. I am soooo glad I came across your channel. Happy Holidays (oh and I think you have wonderful hair 😊).
Alex Baer that is so amazing!!! I am so glad that works!! When you reverse it, and decide what to keep, it really changes your mind!!
I enjoy your content so much ♥️
Ann C ❤️❤️❤️
We have one xmas decor bin which is full. If I want to add something new, something needs to go. We have a small 5 ft tree that fits all of our childhood and gifted ornaments.
Every year I have been decluttering Christmas has been challenging this year I looked for things I donated last year I was sad at first but am ok .I am going to be kind to myself and not declutter Christmas till next year I have not been well . I am down to 4 buckets donated a truck load last year I relate to your videos , I struggle with hoarding things .
Love your glasses!!
I like the garland straight across. Wow! 30 bins- you really do love Christmas! My trees have been kid trees since 6 yo grandbaby was born, But last year, I had bought some name ornaments, and silly me- they were glass. They didn't make it, sadly. :( This year, we only broke too. Another one I thought was plastic, and an actual plastic one. How does a plastic ornament break?? No idea! I didn't have my eyes on the 3 yo, at the time. Oh well. Merry Christmas! You donated so much!! Good job! And other people will be so happy to get such good stuff. Especially the shelter.
I did gain control of Christmas.
A theme helps. My tree only has Angels, my rooms only have Angels or nativity sets. We have a few lights.
We do not have anything outside.
We do have traditions centered around people and food. But ‘stuff’ is under control.
You are fast becoming my favorite RUclipsr!
You content is real and relatable. U struggle and like real people persevere to overcome!!!
Did u finish the basement yet? I think we all have that last place where we shove the stuff we’re not sure to do with! What I do in that case is created specific piles, like one for books, one for paper, one for decorations etc. then u know how much space u need for each category or u realize which category needs more minimalising!!!
Do u have an e-mail or somewhere we can share pics of our progress as I’m on the same path as you just not able to move as fast as we are re-constructing/ decorating upstairs first!
Sally Evans hi! Yes! I’m sharing the final
basement declutter next week. I’m so happy with the result. If you are on IG you can send me pics there or my email address is in the description box above. Message me anytime!
straight across
good job, it is only for us days of the year. in mine country we have to christmas day's december 24 christmas eve. december 25 first christmas day and december 26 the second christmas day. When i moved i let go of christmas decor and a very big tree. we have now 3 boxes smaller than you bins. and i few items that are to big. We have to puppies. one is 11 month's and is a australian shepperd and the other is a saint bernard fomalmost 6 month's our tree is this year a smaller one that stands high. i love to decorate i am not good in it. but the 3 dogs, cat and children makes is hard. enjoy the time. i kept only the thing that i setup last year. that was mine challenge.