It's that time again - the time of year that always spurs me to write about how I am NOT the minimalist I claim to be. The turn-myself-in confession happens when I open up the store room door to discover I have WAY too much Christmas stuff. Again.
What defines too much?
Your mileage may vary. I can't quantify your too much against my too much. The litmus test for me was "Have I used this in the last 2 years?" For example, I unwrapped some Santas that had been living in my storage space since my early twenties when I moved out on my own after college. The newspaper I wrapped them in was dated 10 years ago. I typically recycle the paper every year when I unwrap, so that means I haven't decorated with them in a DECADE.
Clearly not a meaningful part of my Christmas stash.
The other question I ask myself is "Will the husband/kids want this when I am dead?" I understand this question seems morbid or downright gruesome to some, but it's a fair question. At some point, a holiday will roll around and one of us won't be here. What part of our family's traditional decor will the survivor want to display or hand down to the kids? I gave this some hard thought this year.
I asked the kids "Do you care about this? Does it have meaning to you around the holidays?" As my children are familiar with my no-subtext answer expectations they are pretty good about giving me an honest response. If they care, it stays. If they are indifferent or definitely don't care, it got repurposed.
This year, some of my overstock went to a family whose special needs child loves collecting certain Christmas baubles. Some went to a friend starting a nutcracker collection. And some just went to the donation box, and I am hopeful it found a place in someone's Christmas story.
As is typical for me, I'll sort through it in January and careful pack away what the integral parts of Christmas for us. As I have gotten older, I seem to really enjoy all the OTHER Christmas decorations in the world: stores that really decorate to the nines, traveling to see other cities' light displays, and driving through neighborhoods to admire streets full of color. There is ZERO clutter in admiring decor outside your home. Try it - you'll thank yourself in December next year!
I would also suggest having those hard conversations with yourself and your family. Look at what REALLY matters to you and them, and make cuts accordingly. The memories aren't taking up space.
Merry Christmas and Happy December!
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