Conquer the Clutter Challenge: Downsize your Christmas Decorations!

Greetings Friends! Christmas may be over, but I decided it was time to make my list and check it twice--I am ready to conquer some clutter that has crept into my home! Since I have neither a basement or a garage, my closets have become an ongoing challenge. You know how it is, you start with the best intentions to organize and before long you have a three day task of going through all of the stuff! I don't know about you but I find it overwhelming. Nevertheless, over the next few weeks, I'll be sharing my quest to conquer! First on my list: downsize and organize my Christmas decorations...

There is just something about the start of a fresh new year that motivates me to get organized. Every year I plan to weed out my unused Christmas decorations that just take up closet space but in the chaos of getting all of the stuff put away, I end up promising myself "Maybe next year..." Well it's 2015 and this is the year! Before I took down my current decorations, I started by removing items that weren't displayed this year or the previous from the closet where I store most of my Christmas decor.  You know the drill--Donate, Resale or Toss. Have a box or bag for each, then get busy!  I donated several boxes to a local charity. Usually I also have a resale box, but since most shops want items to be in season and I didn't want to keep them around for the better part of the year, I opted to donate those items too.   Most of the bags I tossed were gift wrapping items that had seen better days that I had not "done something with." 

I have several banana boxes that I use for storage.  They are the perfect size for my closet shelves but have really gotten banged up over the years.  I used Christmas clearance gift wrap to give them a make over.  I chose a design that looks nice year round and was 80% off at Hobby Lobby.  They have the best wrapping paper, hands down--a nice thick quality.  I paid $1.60 for this roll, wrapped 6 boxes and still have almost half the roll left! 

True confession: In years past, I've had the tendency to hurriedly pack things away only to have to hunt for something the following year or try to remember where I hung a particular item.  This year I intentionally took the time to group like items and label others, like my glittery garland box above.  Next year, the tinseled lights that fit my living room room window will be easy to spot.  In hindsight this seems like a no brainer...

Clearing out the unused items allows more room and in the end a place for everything. My newly reformed philosophy--from now on, if it doesn't fit in one of these boxes or tubs, it's time to purge! 

Before stacking these tidy tubs, I took photos of the inside.  I keep a storage document on my laptop and plan to add the photos for quick reference before unstacking everything...

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Are you up for the challenge--what clutter have you been needing to conquer? 

MY HEARTFELT THANKS TO THE FOLLOWING FOR FEATURING THIS POST: