We discovered minimalism in the month of May.
By the time the holiday season began, six months later, we were fully convinced of the benefits of not owning more than we needed. But we hadn’t finished minimizing every area in our home—including our basement which contained the Christmas decorations.
That year was the last year we decorated with our boxes and boxes of old decorations. When the holiday season ended, we decluttered our decorations.
As a result, decorating in every subsequent year has been both easier and more meaningful. We minimized our Christmas decorations significantly (for every season actually) and have never regretted the decision.
Based on our experience, here is what we learned:
1. Declutter after the holidays.
For most people, it’s simply more practical. To declutter your holiday decorations, you’ll need to pull them all out of storage any way. If it’s near the holiday season, just use them all (or what you’d normally use) one more time.
When it comes time to put them away, purge.
This approach might also serve as a reminder of the decorating process and if it has become more time-consuming than you think it should. It will also help you identify decorations that aren’t particularly meaningful, enjoyed, or require significant effort to put up.
2. Choose a predetermined amount to keep.
In many cases, choosing a physical boundary is an invaluable minimizing technique.
You can choose any physical boundary you desire (there are no rules that you have to follow here). But selecting a boundary (and staying within it) will assist you significantly.
The first year we minimized our Christmas decorations, we decided to keep our future decorations in one large plastic tote that fit nicely in our basement. That, plus the artificial tree.
In the past, we had kept three to four boxes plus a tree. But that year, we decided to keep only what would fit in the one tote.
If you have 6-7 boxes of Christmas decorations and typically go all-out while you play your Christmas music in late-October, maybe cutting down to one box is too drastic or not even what you consider ideal for yourself and your family. Adjust accordingly. Maybe you can still minimize six boxes down to three or four.
Predetermine a physical boundary that makes sense for you.
You might be surprised how easy it is to separate the most loved decorations from the “sorta loved” once a physical boundary has been established.
3. Keep only the most meaningful.
Decorations serve an important purpose in our lives. They are not just aesthetically pleasing, they also direct our attention, mind, and focus. They can serve to enhance our mood, inspire us, and motivate us.
For that reason, think through specifically what purpose you want your holiday decorations to serve in your home.
What does the holiday season mean to you? How does it inspire you? And to what, do you desire it to motivate you?
Too often we fall into the thinking that more is better when it comes to holiday decorations. But “more” can often distract from “meaningful.” Especially if the meaning of Christmas is getting buried by excess.
When it comes to holiday decorating (any decorating really), remove the thinking that I will display an item just because it matches, or it was on clearance, or we’ve just always decorated with that item.
Instead, choose the pieces in your home that inspire you and motivate you to become the person you want to be.
Is your Christmas season about faith? Keep decorations that direct your attention there. Maybe the Rudolph hand towels in the kitchen aren’t accomplishing that purpose.
Is your Christmas season about family? Keep decorations that remind you of family—past, present, and future. Maybe some of the knick-knacks that you put up on shelving in December are actually distracting you from that.
Is your Christmas season about joy and hope and kindness? Keep decorations that spark those attitudes in your life and actions.
The Christmas season can be an important one, but only when we keep our focus where it should be.
I think everyone should make the most of the holiday season. As in most cases, this means being intentional about it: how we spend our time, how we spend our money, and how we decorate to celebrate it.
A simpler Christmas is usually more focused on the things that actually matter. You’ll love it—next year.
Laura Land says
My eldest son moved out of the family home this year. He has returned for christmas. As he doesn’t have the space and can’t really afford a tree i said to him yesterday that when he eventually needs any decorations he can take what he wants from our tree, the tree he grew up with.
Both my boys will be able to help themselves to as few or as many decorations as they please as we originally got the tree for them as babies.
My husband always regrets not having any of his mothers decorations when she died.
Tina Lemna says
Great article Joshua. We have stopped putting up a Christmas tree as we live in a small home. I have one box of decorations and only decorate my mantle with my favorites. It makes life so much easier.
Barbara Kerschner says
Agreed. One year I noticed that I dragged all this stuff out and set it up every year. Then I took it down and packed it away. One year I did not do it. No one cared. Not my husband and not one of the kids. That was 20+ years ago. We are not religious. don’t believe in Santa and don’t really celebrate the holidays We have no Christmas stuff any more and don’t miss it.
Carol says
Alternatively, decluttering Christmas decorations at the very beginning of the season allows them to be in charity shops in time for other people to use them. We have a small trunk (about the size of a tote) that we use as a coffee table and I’ve winnowed down to what will fit in that including all the lights, tree ornaments, and stockings. Other than that, we buy a live tree and poinsettias every year. Very simple and the only thing that gets stored in the garage is the tree stand.
Kim says
I did this over a couple of years. I got rid of a lot, but I had a collection of vintage ornaments that I gave to my daughter. Now it all fits in the top of a closet instead of half the storage room in our barn. I have downsized/minimized a lot since I lost my youngest daughter in 2013. Losing a child puts a whole new perspective on “things.” None of it matters anymore and it’s a lot easier to let things go.
kaye says
peace to you, and comfort in your memories of your precious daughter
Kathleen L Osborne says
We moved to a much smaller house last year so I gave away my regular sized tree and all but my favorite ornaments. Bought a 6′ pencil tree. This year as we started our decorating, I pulled out about 1/3 and donated it, put up about 1/3, and 1/3 stayed in the garage still boxed. Some things I gave away were hard to let go of but so freeing now. Will probably do the same next year.
Mary Crittenden says
A few days ago, I sent invitations to my children and grandchildren to come to my house for a Epiphany Decoration Sharing. The goal is to greatly reduce what I keep. Each will be able to ask for what they like. Unclaimed items to going either 1) into my church storage area for the appropriate tag sale or 2) the trash. I plan on keeping about 1/5 of what I have. We will finish the afternoon with a grinders supper. I already traded my full sized tree for a small table top sized one. Oh and the ones for the church tag sale will be moved to my car and the discards will go straight into my trash barrel.
Jill D says
Brilliant!
Teresa says
Great post Joshua. Last year my husband and I decluttered part of our artificial Christmas tree: we kept the top three feet! It’s now so much easier and quicker to move, set up, and take down, and it’s less bulky to store. Same sparkle, smaller footprint. Merry Christmas!
Lauri Lewis says
You are so inspirational! Here are my tips:
1. Try decorating specific “zones” instead of everywhere. For example, the mantle, dining room table, front entry.
2. Use swags or bows on the staircase posts instead of garland from one end to the other. Less storage required!
3. Instead of holiday china, use festive cloth napkins with your current china. Better yet – use versatile white napkins and tie a piece of fresh greenery around each one.
4. Stick to a solid-colored versatile wrapping paper and have a few different ribbon prints for the season.
5. If you can’t part with unused Christmas decor quite yet, put it all in a separate bin with an “unused date” on it, as a reminder to review next year.
6. Only own throw pillows with removable covers so you can change the covers if you feel the need to have a holiday look.
Marci says
Went from 5 plastic totes to 2 by reducing one tote a year. One tote for the vintage ceramic tree etc and one tote for the Nativity set etc because they won’t both fit in the same tote. I’ve been comfortable at this level for a few years now :)
Alexandra says
I would like to add that Christmas decorations can be best given away before Christmas – when you are decorating your tree, you will see what you don’t like or want anymore. Post it on your local Buy Nothing group, there are always people who absolutely appreciate decorations, because they can’t afford to buy them.
Joan says
Yes, that is also what I have discovered. Slowly over the years I have given away decorations. Everyone is looking for decorations before Christmas but afterwards not so much. So if possible give them away in late November early December.
Alexandra says
And thanks to the reminder of your article, I have just given away Christmas decorations that had been sitting in a box for years, and that I did not want to throw away. Three other families will now enjoy stars, lights and more. Makes me very happy!
Glenda Sue Vize says
I always watch posts in my area for people in need. One way I downsize by donating.
I like to gift personal things to family ?
And donate to resell stores.
We have really started downsizing in 2021, but will continue. As for now, we don’t miss a thing and love being on the road to being worry free.