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...


Organize Christmas storage


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." 


Downsize and organize Christmas storage


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! 


Decorative Christmas storage


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...


Organize Christmas storage


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! 


Organize Christmas storage


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...


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







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  1. Wonderful job of organizing and labeling!

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  2. This was my goal for last year, de-cluttering and getting organized, but then my Mom had a health crisis and I took a good part of the year to move her close to me and get her settled. This is the year for me to get my home organized. I am finally going to get my Christmas decor organized and purge a lot of things I don't use any longer. So I'm going to be following along with you and getting inspired!

    Linda

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  3. Good for you, and a great way to start off the new year. I purged a lot of my Christmas decor a few years ago, but it's definitely ready for another cut. Thanks for the inspiration.

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  4. I'm trying to go through my mom's things and pass some of them on to my brothers. We moved into a patio home in August and just don't have the room to keep everything. I purged Christmas stuff as well. When I empty a tote, I feel so good.

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  5. I am soooo unorganized. This is so inspiring! My attic is where I store stuff. It's the same size as our house.. we never finished the upstairs.. so just imagine the stuff. I will definitely be checking in to see what you're doing.

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  6. I cut out a lot of Christmas decoration since we are in the empty nest... I feel less stress with less stuff :-)

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  7. Well, I only thrifted one Christmas item, but I too always get in the organizing mode this time of year. Today I cleaned the pantry. Found 10 items that were past the expiration date. Tomorrow I will tackle my walk in closet. I have clothes that I didn't wear this winter or last. Means they gotta go. lol! I have lots and lots of storage. Not sure if it's a good thing. lol! Hubby built me a storage room in the basement the length of our porch so I am able to keep all of my holiday décor in one place. Love the covered boxes. You go girl!!
    hugs,
    Jann

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  8. Such good advice Cecilia. Each year, I think I have things organized, but in fact, it was hard to find what I was looking for this year. Maybe I will take your advice and be better organized when I pack stuff away. So hard for me to get rid of my huge collection of Christmas.
    Blessing in 2015.
    Audrey Z. @ Timeless Treasures

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  9. Wow, look at you go... you're quite the organizing queen :) I love how you used labels for chalk - such a clever idea.

    My craft room closet could use a little organizing so maybe I will make a trip to Hobby Lobby soon and get some supplies for "cleaning up." So glad you shared this at Roses of Inspiration. Hugs and blessings!

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  10. Oh wow I would love to be this organized but I am the kind that just hopes it all fits back into the containers kind of gal, it is hard for me to get rid of things even if I didn't put it out this year, I think another year I may want to use it, my sister is the organized one, but who knows maybe next year ;)

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  11. It feels amazing to purge. Almost three years ago we purchased our new home and it was a major downsize. I even had to purchase a smaller Christmas Tree that year. The older I get the less I want to have in my life. Thanks for linking up to Scraptastic Saturdays.

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  12. I am with you - I was finally able to organize and purge our Christmas decorations this year and what an awesome feeling to get that off my to do list. Thank you for sharing at Share It One More Time. Cathy

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  13. I had to laugh because I do the same thing every year with my Christmas stuff. I had so much left down (normally it's on rafters in the garage) that I thought it was everything....well it wasn't. I have to get the rest of the stuff down to do a really good job of getting rid of stuff. I've had 2 years of putting a minimal amount out. My stockings weren't even down, which is just as well because were out of town Christmas morning. ...Next year. Right now I'm forever working on the clutter in my room.

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