Decluttering and Downsizing Christmas

Last year, I really started to feel the stress of Christmas. 

I was making lists of everything that I had to get for everyone, stressing out about having to go shop, and having to buy for some pretty impossible people on my list. 

A few times I caught myself saying, “If I could just get rid of presents, I would really enjoy Christmas!” 

I just wanted to go to concerts, have fun at holiday parties, and just be with family and friends. 

Also, we had just launched our home organization business, Your Last Resort.

As home organizers, we help people get rid of the excess stuff in their lives. We help people release gifts that were given to them that they didn’t use or no longer want or need. 

How can I help contribute to the clutter by buying things for people, spending money, just for the sake of getting something for someone? 

I could no longer justify  in my mind, adding to people’s clutter. 

This is a conversation we have time and time again in our family. In fact, last year my son said to me, “I don’t want anything for Christmas, but I also don’t want nothing.” 

This year, we are going for a clutter-free, present-free Christmas. 

Because my sons no longer believe in Santa, it makes it a bit easier.

Drawing from my own family’s tradition growing up, each person is responsible for getting a few items for everyone’s stockings. 

We will opt for one larger gift for the boys to share, and save our money for a big upcoming family trip this spring (more info to come later once finalized!) 

Other gifts will be clutter-free and include baked goods – everyone seems to want me to make them biscotti! Or other consumables like cookies, wine and cheese! 

And, with my own family, we are doing a year of family experiences. There are 3 of us in the Churchill family siblings. We divided the year by 3, giving each person 4 months. We subtracted Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas, when we normally get together, anyway. 

This leaves each family with 3 months. We have each signed up for a month, and during that month, we are responsible for planning a family adventure! This could be a board game night, a walk in the woods, a pool party – the possibilities are endless, but that family is in charge! 

And, hopefully with the pressure off, less money being spent, less time spent wrapping, and more time together, we will really enjoy the holiday season, and not fill up the house with extra clutter. 

As for me, bring me a bottle of wine (consumable) or a mug of tea, and I’ll be happy sitting in front of my tree with my family, listening to the sounds of the season!