Every holiday season, as we adorn our Christmas tree and whip up festive cookies, our family engages in another cherished tradition: decluttering our home. With the inevitable influx of toys arriving from our generous relatives (despite our requests for experiential gifts instead of physical ones), it’s essential to create some space.
In the past, this cleaning ritual took place under the cloak of night while the kids were fast asleep. My partner and I would frantically gather up the forgotten and neglected toys to donate them. The kids would wake up blissfully unaware, never noticing the absence of those discarded items. However, last year marked the first time our children joined in the pre-Christmas cleanout, and we were curious about how they would react.
To my astonishment, my own little holiday miracle unfolded as they enthusiastically embraced the idea of letting go of their current toys, knowing that new ones from Santa would soon arrive. My previous warning—“if Santa sees too many toys, he might skip you”—was left unused.
Our Decluttering Ritual
Our decluttering ritual consists of three simple steps over the weekend following Thanksgiving.
- Lead by Example: My partner and I start sorting through our own belongings, explaining our actions to the kids as we make space in our home.
- Preparation: We explain to the kids that they’ll be sorting through their toys to “offer them a new home where someone will treasure them just like you did.” We emphasize how fortunate they are to own so many toys and remind them of the new gifts coming from Santa and our family. We also highlight that, as they’ve grown, some toys have become too small for them.
- Decluttering Process: We have the kids choose between two similar toys, letting them decide which one they prefer. This continues until we narrow down to a few cherished items from each category. For smaller toys, like their collection of miniature cars, we line them up and let them select a set number of favorites. As they sort through their treasures, we recycle or discard broken or incomplete items. Although this process can take what feels like forever, the end result is a collection of truly beloved toys.
The timing of our decluttering is key. With their excitement about potential new gifts, their anticipation helps alleviate any resistance or sadness they might typically feel. Once the boxes are filled, we hold a little “ceremony,” thanking each toy for the joy it brought us and wishing it well on its journey to a new child. Involving the kids in this process has eased my past guilt of discarding toys without their knowledge, and it leaves us with a fresh start for the new year.
My hope is that this experience teaches our kids that accumulating more “stuff” doesn’t equate to happiness and that true joy can often be found in giving to others. After all, it’s the season of generosity.
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Summary:
This article discusses the importance of decluttering during the holiday season as a family tradition. By involving children in the process of donating toys, the family emphasizes values of gratitude and generosity over materialism, ultimately fostering a sense of joy in giving.
Keyphrase: clutter-free Christmas
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