Simplify Christmas! Here are 10 things I'm doing to simplify everything about Christmas this year! Items mentioned: Large ornament storage box: amzn.to/3ZHGEoE Smaller under bed ornament storage box: amzn.to/4gij8nj Click here for a clean & tidy home! www.youtube.com/@tarynmaria_?sub_confirmation=1 Join my mailing list for emails that will make your life easier! taryn-maria.kit.com/73343eee8b Decluttering playlist: ruclips.net/video/_St9jcbHTJc/видео.html Time saving cleaning hacks playlist: ruclips.net/video/UBE4zX00wGc/видео.html Cleaning Routines playlist: ruclips.net/video/X_RMuFRn9Ak/видео.html
When I was growing up we basically had a tree, a nativity scene and some greenery on the mantel, tablecloth and centerpiece, minimal lights outside. That was pretty much it and it was more than enough. I can't imagine having to decorate other rooms. Maybe put out some Christmas mugs in the kitchen.
@@tarynmaria_ Linens and dishes are a good way to decorate. At least they have a useful purpose. I put out some Christmas tea towels and have some Christmas dishes, Christmas tablecloth. The towels can later become napkins or rags.
Life was so much simpler growing up in the 50’s and 60’s, only had a live tree with ornaments and icicles, gifts under the tree on Christmas morning and dinner.
Yay, you did it again. You created a video on a sensible, unique topic. I enjoy your videos so much as they are fresh and not the same old same old. Also, your decor is beautiful. I really like the lights on your tree.🌲
I bring home empty boxes from the office that were from copy paper. They are sturdy, lidded, free and upcycled, and all the same size boxes stack much neater in the attic than a mish-mash of odd-ball sizes of containers. And label them all! Agree that replacing everyday decor with CHRISTmas decor is a must. Hope this video will have a follow-up in a few weeks about repacking/storing all our CHRISTmas stuff.
I get bummed out when Christmas stuff goes up before Thanksgiving. Maybe b/c I just love Thanksgiving....good food, family and friends without the "will-they-like-the-gift-I-got-them" pressure
Great vlog. In Europe we tend to only decorate our living room and dining room areas.. easy. Tips: 1) Buy gifts throughout the year, keep in gift cupboard ie only 1 dedicated space. Label the gifts when you put it in the cupboard. 2) Keep your gift and shopping list in your handbag..so when out, you can buy stuff throughout the year as you see it. I have EVERYTHING bought and wrapped by the end of October.. ie. Advent calendar, Santa sacks and main presents, cards etc. 3) In my family.. only kids get gifts. Aunts, grandparents etc are only allowed to give/spend £25-30 per kid. If our kids want something big eg a big lego box which costs over £100.. they have to put all the money together and then just have one big present. But they are happy with that. Adults don't gift to eachother. We each buy ourselves a gift for maximum £30. Wrap is in a funny way. Then after Xmas lunch when kids are playing, we sit with drinks and play our guessing game. Each person has a question which can only be answered with yes or no. The gift gets passed around and questions asked until someone guesses it. Then it gets opened. Its so fun. Even our older kids like to join in the game now. 4) Buy all dry and tin goods and freezer goods by the end of November. Then buy fridge goods 2 weeks before Christmas. So NO last min shopping for gifts or food. 5) Share costs and prep! When my family get together everyone shares costs and food prep. Eg this year we are at my parents.. they buy main food (meat and veg). My sister does cakes and finger food stuff. I do drinks, snacks and treats etc crisps, nuts, ice-cream etc. For Christmas Day dinner, my mum preps the meat and stuffing Christmas Eve, while my sister and I peel and prep all the veg. So Christmas morning it is all ready and just gets thrown in oven to roast. Christmas Eve and Boxing Day we always have salads, fish, cheeses, cold cuts.. no cooked meal. But also "Bubble and Squeak" on Boxing Day which is made from leftover Christmas Day dinner. Because I have everying for Christmas bought, packed and ready etc by 1st Advent ...I can relax and enjoy fun stuff with my kids for the whole Advent period. Eg our traditions are...going to Christmas Markets, making our Advent Kranz, decorating the tree, decorating a gingerbread house, making sweets, watching Christmas movies, going out looking a neighbour lights with hot cocoa and playing board games. After my childhood, where my mum was always stressed and ratty at Christmas, I swore I wouldn't be like that. Using the above tips I have succeeded in being totally relaxed and just enjoying Christmas with my kids from 1st Advent. Love it!
I do exactly that here in France, and often hand make several gifts. Everything finished by the end of novembre. This year we won t have Christmas at home with all the family, so extreme minimalist decor ...and time to really relax😂🥂
@chanboubou9245 its wonderful when we "mums" can enjoy Advent-Christmas to isn't it 😊. I live in Germany, but am in the UK at my parents for Christmas. We did do a full decorate in our living-dining room because my kids wanted to 😊. Enjoy the season and Happy Christmas 🎄
I've been making make ahead dishes for years and it's a game changer! Taryn, you've rapidly become my favorite declutter/organizer/life style vlogger! I find your videos sensible and relatable.
We decided to do a taco/nacho bar for Christmas dinner a few years ago. Its so simple, everyone is assigned a few toppings to bring and mom cooks the ground beef ahead and keeps it warm in the crockpot. We wear Chritmas jammies all day and munch and play games. Super lowkey compared to the past.
Thanks for your tips. The first area I decluttered and minimalized 4 years ago was my Christmas decor. This year we bought a new artificial tree as the older one was losing needles and lights weren't working. The new tree is flocked and it's so pretty with the lights one, i haven't put ornaments on it! I only make 3 traditional desserts - mincemeat, fruit cake, and shortbread cookies. I make the first 2 months in advance because they taste better with age and freeze well. The shortbread I bake early December. If my daughter wants to bake cookies for friends at school, we get together one night and let the flour fly. 😂 We have always kept gifts simple. Usually budget for $100 per person. Have to really be thoughtful. Helps to avoid the massive January bills and not go into debt when reality hits i.e. dishwasher dying this week. Cheers from Canada.
The holidays are a big stressor for me. I started doing minimal decorating years ago. Right now, I just have two wreaths on our porch siding. We also listen to Christmas music the day after Thanksgiving through Christmas Day. We also stopped traveling as it gives me too much anxiety. We did add one thing: our friend sings in a local symphonic chorus. We're going to see him perform this year.
По-малкото, когато е направено с добър вкус, е повече от многото. Прекрасно коледно дръвче и украса имате. Най-важно е празничното настроение с близките хора. Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday!
Ornament boxes for the win! Mine get stored in an old trunk in the corner of the living room so I don't lug stuff up and down the basement stairs any more 😊
Ironically I did the same thing this year. Our front room is our focus point with a couple simple Christmas decorations in the kitchen area. This makes the end of the season storage so much simpler. Thank you for all the wonderful tips
Great tips as always!! Our Christmas decorations are very simple: door wreath, tree w/glass ornaments , table top Nativity, stockings/holders plus nice fabric holiday tablecloths with centerpiece. Fewer but higher quality decor means less overwhelm. Plenty enough to create festive atmosphere. Christmas Eve is our big family event with publix party platters to make things easier. Cash gifts in Christmas cards are actually enjoyed by all so that definitely takes stress out of shopping. Little kids still get wrapped gifts.
Yes, and I have "hidden" presents I purchased earlier in the year, and then not been able to find them when Christmas actually comes. Then I have to go buy something else. The "hidden" ones usually show up months later. Bummer.
I simplified all my decor this year. I find that after a few weeks with all the Xmas decor out I start to feel overwhelmed by it all, so this year I paired back so I wouldn’t feel overwhelmed and it has worked out great.
We celebrate worship of Goddess Durga and Diwali every year. We love to decorate our homes and listening to the related music. Your gifting and decoration ideas are useful for me too.
I met my daughter in town today. We had coffee and cake and ooohhhed and aaahhhed at everything christmassy in the shops. Ended up buying nothing but had a really lovely time. ❤
Yes! This is one I use for breakfast: sallysbakingaddiction.com/easy-make-ahead-breakfast-casserole/. And you can change up what you put it in. And for the mashed potatoes I use this one: www.number-2-pencil.com/make-ahead-mashed-potatoes-5/. For boxed stuffing, I make it as directed on the box but just don't put it into the over (I stick it in the fridge and then put it in the oven for 30 minutes when it's time to eat)!
Simpler times when I was growing up. A live tree, church, special dinner and Christmas cookies, one gift each. The magic was there without all the overkill.
🎄Fab advice, and love the traditional Christmas tree and fireplace decorations too! (just my style). Glad you managed to have a friendly chat with Santa about maybe a little more quality over quantity. It will certainly give Rudolph an easier time too (not such a heavy sleigh to haul) 🙂🎄
I just wanted to add an idea about gift cards. I know people think gift cards are impersonal. However, my husband has a very extensive library for his hobby. There is no way I could keep track of the books he has. I do know that gift cards to Amazon and Barnes and Noble let him add to his collection. The same idea works for anyone. My brother collects movies on blue ray. He loves Best Buy gift cards. Thank you for sharing your wisdom and knowledge. Merry Christmas.
I’ve simplified my holiday decore but I’ve upped my “seasonal decorations” after reading Welcome Home by Myquillyn Smith and decorating with my other senses before decorating for my eyes.
I only get my grandkids tickets and passes for places like the movies, the trampoline park, and game cards for the arcade. Same ones for all of them- they all enjoy these experiences and there’s no “stuff” you have to buy or wrap.
We stopped decorating except for the artificial tree we have had for many years. No presents, unless there are children under 10. One Christmas dinner that is special but just a rib roast, yorkshire pudding, creamed corn and salad. Leftovers last for days. Very few snack treats. Egg nog. That is enough. Making it all about buying stuff needs to be drastically curtailed, imho.
Greatt ideas! I do think gift cards are easy, but a lot of times I could by a nice gift for less than a $25 gift card. So I did some shopping this year. Worked ot well
I've gotten better about gift buying. I'm getting there. My problem is I will see something on sale throughout the year that would make a perfect gift for someone, and I get it and put it away for Christmas. I have to stop doing that. I've told myself that I need to wait until two weeks before Christmas to start shopping and to cut the budget by at least 25%, preferably 50%. We are retired and have seven grandchildren now. I absolutely LOVE buying gifts, but I need to scale it back. Retirement pay is not going as far as it used to.
I think big meals on Christmas Day and Christmas Eve are a waste of time, energy, and money. Most people are so stuffed with food by that time that they don't even feel like eating. Or people arrive at different times, some have already eaten. Appetizers are a good idea. Or just tell everyone to bring something. Most people are drowning in cakes and cookies and food and would be happy to bring some. Just do a snack buffet and people can take home what they like. My sister would be stressed every Christmas trying to get a big meal together at a certain time for multiple people. It wasn't necessary as no one cared about a big meal anyway.
Simplify Christmas! Here are 10 things I'm doing to simplify everything about Christmas this year!
Items mentioned:
Large ornament storage box: amzn.to/3ZHGEoE
Smaller under bed ornament storage box: amzn.to/4gij8nj
Click here for a clean & tidy home! www.youtube.com/@tarynmaria_?sub_confirmation=1
Join my mailing list for emails that will make your life easier! taryn-maria.kit.com/73343eee8b
Decluttering playlist: ruclips.net/video/_St9jcbHTJc/видео.html
Time saving cleaning hacks playlist: ruclips.net/video/UBE4zX00wGc/видео.html
Cleaning Routines playlist: ruclips.net/video/X_RMuFRn9Ak/видео.html
When I was growing up we basically had a tree, a nativity scene and some greenery on the mantel, tablecloth and centerpiece, minimal lights outside. That was pretty much it and it was more than enough. I can't imagine having to decorate other rooms. Maybe put out some Christmas mugs in the kitchen.
me too and still do!
I would love to have Christmas all over the house but it's just too much work sometimes! :)
@@tarynmaria_ Linens and dishes are a good way to decorate. At least they have a useful purpose. I put out some Christmas tea towels and have some Christmas dishes, Christmas tablecloth. The towels can later become napkins or rags.
Me too. Today and forever.
Life was so much simpler growing up in the 50’s and 60’s, only had a live tree with ornaments and icicles, gifts under the tree on Christmas morning and dinner.
Thank you for sharing!
YES!!! 🙏🏻♥️🎄
Yay, you did it again. You created a video on a sensible, unique topic. I enjoy your videos so much as they are fresh and not the same old same old.
Also, your decor is beautiful. I really like the lights on your tree.🌲
You are awesome, Cheryl - thank you so much!!!
I bring home empty boxes from the office that were from copy paper. They are sturdy, lidded, free and upcycled, and all the same size boxes stack much neater in the attic than a mish-mash of odd-ball sizes of containers. And label them all!
Agree that replacing everyday decor with CHRISTmas decor is a must.
Hope this video will have a follow-up in a few weeks about repacking/storing all our CHRISTmas stuff.
Thank you so much for sharing!
I get bummed out when Christmas stuff goes up before Thanksgiving. Maybe b/c I just love Thanksgiving....good food, family and friends without the "will-they-like-the-gift-I-got-them" pressure
Thank you for sharing!
Great vlog. In Europe we tend to only decorate our living room and dining room areas.. easy.
Tips:
1) Buy gifts throughout the year, keep in gift cupboard ie only 1 dedicated space. Label the gifts when you put it in the cupboard.
2) Keep your gift and shopping list in your handbag..so when out, you can buy stuff throughout the year as you see it. I have EVERYTHING bought and wrapped by the end of October.. ie. Advent calendar, Santa sacks and main presents, cards etc.
3) In my family.. only kids get gifts. Aunts, grandparents etc are only allowed to give/spend £25-30 per kid. If our kids want something big eg a big lego box which costs over £100.. they have to put all the money together and then just have one big present. But they are happy with that.
Adults don't gift to eachother. We each buy ourselves a gift for maximum £30. Wrap is in a funny way. Then after Xmas lunch when kids are playing, we sit with drinks and play our guessing game. Each person has a question which can only be answered with yes or no. The gift gets passed around and questions asked until someone guesses it. Then it gets opened. Its so fun. Even our older kids like to join in the game now.
4) Buy all dry and tin goods and freezer goods by the end of November. Then buy fridge goods 2 weeks before Christmas.
So NO last min shopping for gifts or food.
5) Share costs and prep! When my family get together everyone shares costs and food prep. Eg this year we are at my parents.. they buy main food (meat and veg). My sister does cakes and finger food stuff. I do drinks, snacks and treats etc crisps, nuts, ice-cream etc. For Christmas Day dinner, my mum preps the meat and stuffing Christmas Eve, while my sister and I peel and prep all the veg. So Christmas morning it is all ready and just gets thrown in oven to roast. Christmas Eve and Boxing Day we always have salads, fish, cheeses, cold cuts.. no cooked meal. But also "Bubble and Squeak" on Boxing Day which is made from leftover Christmas Day dinner.
Because I have everying for Christmas bought, packed and ready etc by 1st Advent ...I can relax and enjoy fun stuff with my kids for the whole Advent period. Eg our traditions are...going to Christmas Markets, making our Advent Kranz, decorating the tree, decorating a gingerbread house, making sweets, watching Christmas movies, going out looking a neighbour lights with hot cocoa and playing board games.
After my childhood, where my mum was always stressed and ratty at Christmas, I swore I wouldn't be like that. Using the above tips I have succeeded in being totally relaxed and just enjoying Christmas with my kids from 1st Advent. Love it!
I do exactly that here in France, and often hand make several gifts. Everything finished by the end of novembre.
This year we won t have Christmas at home with all the family, so extreme minimalist decor ...and time to really relax😂🥂
@chanboubou9245 its wonderful when we "mums" can enjoy Advent-Christmas to isn't it 😊. I live in Germany, but am in the UK at my parents for Christmas. We did do a full decorate in our living-dining room because my kids wanted to 😊. Enjoy the season and Happy Christmas 🎄
@rebeccarendle3706 A very happy Chrismas to you and yours
Love this, thank you so much for sharing these awesome tips!
I've been making make ahead dishes for years and it's a game changer!
Taryn, you've rapidly become my favorite declutter/organizer/life style vlogger! I find your videos sensible and relatable.
That makes me so happy!!
We decided to do a taco/nacho bar for Christmas dinner a few years ago. Its so simple, everyone is assigned a few toppings to bring and mom cooks the ground beef ahead and keeps it warm in the crockpot. We wear Chritmas jammies all day and munch and play games. Super lowkey compared to the past.
What a great idea! Tacos are the best!!
🎅 I'm glad to hear that Santa is improving their practices at the North Pole!
Me too!! ☺🎄
Beautiful family, beautiful cookies Have a wonderful and healthy Christmas Love your advice
Thank you so much!! I hope you have a wonderful Christmas as well!
Thanks for your tips.
The first area I decluttered and minimalized 4 years ago was my Christmas decor. This year we bought a new artificial tree as the older one was losing needles and lights weren't working. The new tree is flocked and it's so pretty with the lights one, i haven't put ornaments on it!
I only make 3 traditional desserts - mincemeat, fruit cake, and shortbread cookies. I make the first 2 months in advance because they taste better with age and freeze well. The shortbread I bake early December. If my daughter wants to bake cookies for friends at school, we get together one night and let the flour fly. 😂
We have always kept gifts simple. Usually budget for $100 per person. Have to really be thoughtful. Helps to avoid the massive January bills and not go into debt when reality hits i.e. dishwasher dying this week.
Cheers from Canada.
Thank you so much for sharing!!
All I listen to is Christmas music, all the way through December, car and home 🎄
Love it!
The holidays are a big stressor for me. I started doing minimal decorating years ago. Right now, I just have two wreaths on our porch siding. We also listen to Christmas music the day after Thanksgiving through Christmas Day. We also stopped traveling as it gives me too much anxiety. We did add one thing: our friend sings in a local symphonic chorus. We're going to see him perform this year.
Thank you so much for sharing!
I love Christmas music too!! I listen all month!! I also have Alexa play Christmas music when I’m wrapping gifts…so festive!!🥰
Love that!!
По-малкото, когато е направено с добър вкус, е повече от многото. Прекрасно коледно дръвче и украса имате. Най-важно е празничното настроение с близките хора. Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday!
Thank you so much! Merry Christmas and hope you have a wonderful holiday! ❤️
Ornament boxes for the win! Mine get stored in an old trunk in the corner of the living room so I don't lug stuff up and down the basement stairs any more 😊
Awesome!
Ironically I did the same thing this year. Our front room is our focus point with a couple simple Christmas decorations in the kitchen area. This makes the end of the season storage so much simpler. Thank you for all the wonderful tips
@@Mr.old-school545 you are so welcome! 😊❤️
Great advice! I especially appreciate the cookie baking & Christmas music; daughter & I do that! 🥰
@@annettereneeclement8475 awesome! 🤩
Absolutely! I am doing a guilt-free brunch this morning with mostly prepared deliciousness from Trader Joe's.
Yum, love Trader Joe's!
Great tips as always!! Our Christmas decorations are very simple: door wreath, tree w/glass ornaments , table top Nativity, stockings/holders plus nice fabric holiday tablecloths with centerpiece. Fewer but higher quality decor means less overwhelm. Plenty enough to create festive atmosphere. Christmas Eve is our big family event with publix party platters to make things easier. Cash gifts in Christmas cards are actually enjoyed by all so that definitely takes stress out of shopping. Little kids still get wrapped gifts.
Thank you so much for sharing!
Thanks for all your good tips. You’re killing me when you talked about forgetting who gifts were for, I’ve done that.😂
Yes, and I have "hidden" presents I purchased earlier in the year, and then not been able to find them when Christmas actually comes. Then I have to go buy something else. The "hidden" ones usually show up months later. Bummer.
Ha, love it!
YES!! Shelly this happened to me with my husband's birthday present this year - I lost it for months! I had hidden it away in the closet!
I simplified all my decor this year. I find that after a few weeks with all the Xmas decor out I start to feel overwhelmed by it all, so this year I paired back so I wouldn’t feel overwhelmed and it has worked out great.
That is great!
We celebrate worship of Goddess Durga and Diwali every year. We love to decorate our homes and listening to the related music. Your gifting and decoration ideas are useful for me too.
I'm so glad, thank you for sharing!
I met my daughter in town today. We had coffee and cake and ooohhhed and aaahhhed at everything christmassy in the shops. Ended up buying nothing but had a really lovely time. ❤
@@pburke5274 that sounds so fun! 🤩 ❤️
Your decorations are beautiful! I enjoyed this video. 😊❤
Thank you so much!! ❤
Thank you for your great video!
You are so welcome!
Your kids and the Christmas cookies -- so cute! :-))
Thank you so much! ❤
Hi, if time allows, would you mind please linking your favorite make ahead side dishes? Thank you so much!
Came here to say the same 🙂 would love to see the breakfast casserole recipe! ❤
Yes! This is one I use for breakfast: sallysbakingaddiction.com/easy-make-ahead-breakfast-casserole/. And you can change up what you put it in. And for the mashed potatoes I use this one: www.number-2-pencil.com/make-ahead-mashed-potatoes-5/. For boxed stuffing, I make it as directed on the box but just don't put it into the over (I stick it in the fridge and then put it in the oven for 30 minutes when it's time to eat)!
@tarynmaria_ thank you so much! Happy Holidays! 💕
@tarynmaria_ Thank you Taryn! Can't wait to try these :)
@ happy holidays!!
Simpler times when I was growing up. A live tree, church, special dinner and Christmas cookies, one gift each. The magic was there without all the overkill.
Sounds beautiful!
🎄Fab advice, and love the traditional Christmas tree and fireplace decorations too! (just my style). Glad you managed to have a friendly chat with Santa about maybe a little more quality over quantity. It will certainly give Rudolph an easier time too (not such a heavy sleigh to haul) 🙂🎄
Thank you so much!! ☺❤
I just wanted to add an idea about gift cards. I know people think gift cards are impersonal. However, my husband has a very extensive library for his hobby. There is no way I could keep track of the books he has. I do know that gift cards to Amazon and Barnes and Noble let him add to his collection. The same idea works for anyone. My brother collects movies on blue ray. He loves Best Buy gift cards. Thank you for sharing your wisdom and knowledge. Merry Christmas.
Thank you for sharing and Merry Christmas to you too!
Great tip to remove and store everyday ornaments... you can love them all again in January x
Thank you!
Thank you for your ideas! The gift list is especially a good one. Take care
You are so welcome!
I’ve simplified my holiday decore but I’ve upped my “seasonal decorations” after reading Welcome Home by Myquillyn Smith and decorating with my other senses before decorating for my eyes.
@@krystallooksinbooks1891 thank you for sharing!
For the last several years, we have made crockpot jambalaya for Christmas eve. 30 minute prep, 8 hour cook time, prepare rice and you're done.
Yum, what a great idea!
I only get my grandkids tickets and passes for places like the movies, the trampoline park, and game cards for the arcade. Same ones for all of them- they all enjoy these experiences and there’s no “stuff” you have to buy or wrap.
I bet they love it!
We stopped decorating except for the artificial tree we have had for many years. No presents, unless there are children under 10. One Christmas dinner that is special but just a rib roast, yorkshire pudding, creamed corn and salad. Leftovers last for days. Very few snack treats. Egg nog. That is enough. Making it all about buying stuff needs to be drastically curtailed, imho.
@@annsalty5615 your dinner sounds amazing, Ann!!
Greatt ideas! I do think gift cards are easy, but a lot of times I could by a nice gift for less than a $25 gift card. So I did some shopping this year. Worked ot well
That is awesome!
I've gotten better about gift buying. I'm getting there. My problem is I will see something on sale throughout the year that would make a perfect gift for someone, and I get it and put it away for Christmas. I have to stop doing that. I've told myself that I need to wait until two weeks before Christmas to start shopping and to cut the budget by at least 25%, preferably 50%. We are retired and have seven grandchildren now. I absolutely LOVE buying gifts, but I need to scale it back. Retirement pay is not going as far as it used to.
Thank you for sharing!
I thought everyone swapped out their every day decor for Christmas goods. It just makes sense
I only started doing it about 10 years ago! :)
I think big meals on Christmas Day and Christmas Eve are a waste of time, energy, and money. Most people are so stuffed with food by that time that they don't even feel like eating. Or people arrive at different times, some have already eaten. Appetizers are a good idea. Or just tell everyone to bring something. Most people are drowning in cakes and cookies and food and would be happy to bring some. Just do a snack buffet and people can take home what they like. My sister would be stressed every Christmas trying to get a big meal together at a certain time for multiple people. It wasn't necessary as no one cared about a big meal anyway.
It's true - there is always too much food!
My son likes to go watch movies with his friends. A gift card lets him see a movie AND have a snack and/or drink.
Great gift!