Each holiday season, as we hang ornaments and bake festive treats, my family also embraces a cherished tradition: decluttering our home. With the influx of gifts from family and friends—a well-meaning gesture despite our requests for experiences over physical items—we find it essential to create space.
In the past, this task would take place quietly while the kids peacefully slept. My partner, Alex, and I would frantically gather up forgotten toys, preparing them for donation. Our little ones would awaken none the wiser, blissfully unaware of the toys that had been sent on to new homes. However, last year marked a turning point as our kids joined in on the pre-Christmas clean-up, and I was curious about how they would react.
To my delight, a true holiday miracle unfolded when they willingly let go of their toys, knowing that Santa would bring new ones. My usual playful cautionary tale—that too many toys might mean no new ones from Santa—went unneeded this time.
Our Decluttering Process
Our decluttering process is a three-step adventure we tackle together during the weekend following Thanksgiving.
- Lead by Example: Alex and I begin sorting through our own belongings, explaining our choices to the kids as we go.
- Preparation: We explain to the kids that they will be sorting through their toys to “give them a new home where someone will cherish them just as you did.” We emphasize their good fortune in having so many toys and remind them that with every new gift from Santa and relatives, we need to create space. We also highlight that they are a year older now and may have outgrown certain toys.
- The Fun Part—The Purge: We encourage them to choose their favorites from pairs of similar toys. Once they select a favorite, we present them with another choice, repeating until only their most beloved toys remain. For smaller items, like their collection of miniature cars, we line them up and have them pick a set number of favorites. We also take this opportunity to recycle or discard broken or incomplete toys. Although the whole process can be time-consuming as the kids meticulously sift through their treasures, it ultimately results in a more meaningful collection of toys.
Timing is key. As excitement builds for what awaits them under the Christmas tree, any resistance or anxiety about parting with toys is overshadowed by their eagerness for new gifts. When the boxes are filled, we hold a small “ceremony,” thanking the toys for the joy they brought us and wishing them luck on their journey to a new child who will love them.
Having my children involved in this decluttering has alleviated the guilt I previously felt when discarding toys without their knowledge. Plus, it gives us a fresh start for the new year with the clutter behind us.
Ultimately, my hope is that this experience teaches our kids the valuable lesson that happiness isn’t found in accumulating more possessions but rather in sharing with others. After all, it’s the season of giving!
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Summary:
This article highlights a family’s tradition of decluttering before Christmas, emphasizing the importance of creating space for new toys while teaching children the value of giving. The process, which involves the kids in selecting and donating their toys, fosters a sense of gratitude and a deeper understanding of happiness beyond material possessions.