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.
Diane says
At Christmastime, I put a few things around the room where we’ll meet as a family to exchange one gift each (experiences and consumables). The ornaments and other dustables live in the 6 gift boxes we use for giving (purchased years ago at a Michaels-type store). It’s a great system that takes up very little storage space and works well for us.
Nadine says
really like your idea/system! thanks for sharing =)
Chantelle says
Thank you so much ! ☺
Scott says
This is so ridiculous. Just get rid of your Christmas decorations. You’re trying to be a minimalist by getting rid of this tiny thing and that tiny thing. No. Give up attachment your possessions and be free of them. Now you’re addicted to pretending you’re a minimalist instead of keeping up with the jonses… same exact thing. You’re still trying to look cool.
Pat says
Please remember that minimalism takes many forms. It doesn’t have to be about getting rid of everything. I think Joshua has done a good job over the years in stating that minimalism allows us to focus on what matters most. I have downsized dramatically and purged over the last 10 years, but I’ve had to be mindful that when I discard shared items, I respect my husband’s wishes, too. I’d toss more, but he’s not if the same mindsets. It’s a journey. Happy New Year! Respectfully, pat.
John says
“Instead, choose the pieces in your home that inspire you and motivate you to become the person you want to be.” This piece of sage advice struck me. Explains why I love the simplicity of black and white photos in black frames. They are calming. Merry Christmas!
Linda W says
I decided to let go of a large artificial tree before Christmas because I wanted for a needy person to have it in time for the holidays. I didn’t want for it to end up in a landfill. If you declutter holiday decor after that holiday, it will end up in a landfill.
Peggy Thiele says
you’re right..I’m going to goodwill today ..hopefully someone will enjoy them as much as I did.
Carol Terry says
You are the folks who introduced me to Minimalism years ago. It’s been one of the best decisions in my life.
A couple of years ago my adult nieces and my sister in law came for a visit. I had decided that I didn’t want to wait for my death for my nieces to have the things I wanted them to have.
I gave them most of my antique quilts, then we moved on to Christmas decorations. I kept one wreath and gave the rest to them!
We went through my jewelry (99% costume) and I let so much of that go. The best part was the conversations we had! I was able to tell them the history of so many things and what they meant to me. It was truly the happiest Decluttering session of my life!!
The one wreath I kept is my only decoration. I hang it on the front door in late November and take it down before New Years!
Nadine says
love this Carol! Might do a similar thing in the near future =)
Anne Eckert says
For our family this is an area where I don’t care to minimize. I do discard or donate Christmas decore I don’t really love but we have 8 totes and outdoor decor on top of that plus two full size trees. My grown children love it all so much and so do I. Once a year it’s worth the effort to decorate and remove it. The rest of my seasonal decor is very sparse and minimalist. To each their own, do what brings you peace and joy!! Merry Christmas!?
Janie Foltz says
I feel the same. I love decorating for Christmas and sharing my home with friends and family. I have purged many items..but one does not have to simplify every thing to be happy and feel cleansed. i want joy in my home at all times..
Jane Young says
I also think if you have minimal decor all year, your Christmas decor will have more meaning and feel like a special time. Blessings.
Susan Tracy Mason says
Keep in mind that the best time to donate your purged Christmas decor is probably September or October. Our Goodwill and other resale shops don’t want to store it until people are interested in buying it for an upcoming Christmas
Linda W says
I agree!
Niki Larson says
We do not decorate for any holiday. Its so freeing to not have the added clutter. I don’t really change decor for seasons either, and I still have plenty of clutter hanging around. I’m praying the new year will finally bring my whole household into a less is more mindset. I read your articles and get so energized by getting organized and then it all falls apart; and nothing gets done.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Josh!
Laura Land says
Changing decor for the seasons is mainly a US phenomena. Uk and the rest of Europe don’t do that. We do a bit for Christmas, cleared away by 6th Jan. And maybe a few painted eggs on branches for Easter. The idea that you need seasonal furnishings and decor is a big capitalist plot to get you to shop. :o
Aileen says
Lol, this makes sense. I’ve always wanted to do that but didn’t want to spend the money. Now my thought is to just be satisfied and grateful for my home the way it is. But I understand your sentiment because my mother was German.
GLO says
I make in-season atificial flower arrangements. I buy most of my supplies at the dollar store. It is cheap, and helps bring a bit of each season into the house.
Paula says
This article was so well said! My husband and I married later in life, and there was an accumulation of Christmas decorations. The first couple of years it was such an effort to sort through them to find the ones we wanted to use. After the third Christmas we decided to get rid of all the rest. We boxed them separately and stored them to closer to the next Christmas. Our kids had first choice (they only wanted a few). Some of then went to a senior center who passed them out free, the rest to two thrift stores who support causes we believe in. Now it is so easy to decorate…as everything we pull out is something that has meaning and that we enjoy seeing…not to mention much easier to store. We love to travel, and our favorite souvenirs are ornaments that represent where we’ve been; these are our favorites. This year, we’ve noted some serving dishes that we never seem to use, so they’re likely next on the list to be re-homed.