GET IN THE HOLIDAY DOWNSIZE SPIRIT
This time of year is the season for holidays, baking, shopping, and family. It is also the time of year, with full calendars and to-do lists, to downsize the Christmas decor from Christmas pasts.
Remember the crunchy garland I bought a few years ago. It was a panic purchase.
So today, in between the turkey and the stockings, grab a box and audit the Christmas decor that is ready for a new home.
HOLIDAY DOWNSIZING IDEAS
Many of you have reached out to me about downsizing tips.
I decided to start with downsizing tips during the holiday season.
Today is about simple steps to take on your less-is-more journey during the holidays.
In full disclosure, I am not there yet.
I will still spend $75 at Pottery Barn clearance tab because I have a $10 rewards coupon.
My parents, however, have donated so much stuff that I wonder if they will serve Thanksgiving dinner on paper plates and with a roll of paper towels at the table.
HOLIDAY DWNSIZE TIPS FOR SELLERS
I work with sellers of all ages and stages, but sellers almost always ask themselves, “Why did I/we hold onto this?”
Because of this, my tips are based on my sellers’ comments over (almost) 20 years in residential real estate.
In my experience, sellers tend to underestimate the time, energy, costs, and planning that ideally are in place before your home is on the market.
If your downsizing plans are within the next one to three years, now is a great time to sort and organize your home.
Start with the “categories” you are ready to pack, store, sell, or donate.
DOWNSIZE TIPS DURING THE HOLIDAYS
This holiday season as you unpack the ornaments andthe 15 trees in varying heights, pay attention to the ornaments that sit in the shoebox year after year. Or the broken strand of lights you repack in a bin, just in case you need a half-strand of working lights. I am guilty of this one. A 1/2 strand of working lights works in windows!
Ask family members if they would like the ornaments.
Young professionals just entering the workforce or in grad school, as well as couples and families just starting out, may welcome ornaments and trimmings for their trees.
Take photos of your items and text them to your family, friends, and neighbors.
A photo is a more accurate description of an item than your personal, feeling-fueled description.
This is why Realtors (or a bot) write the property descriptions.
I write my own, which surprises no one. unless you just found Everyday Edits.
If you cannot remove the emotion, it may not be the time to downsize or maybe keep those feel-good memory-fueled items in one box.
If your plans include a patio home, consider donating your lawn mower and yard tools.
Add a red bow and a Home Depot gift card, and you just gained free space and helped a first-time homeowner down the street.
‘Tis the season …
If you have dozens of plastic or glass storage containers or Christmas platters, make cookies… make cookies, and send them to a neighbor with a ribbon and a note.
The fun of downsizing during the holidays is that you get to be creative with how you “gift” or donate items that still work, odor-free, and are pretty enough that someone may want.
If your blow-up snowman is in a box in the garage because he has a puncture wound from your dog or a deer, toss it.
However, if you have a holiday inflatable or holiday theme yard displays in good condition, consider this idea.
If you have a holiday inflatable that is like new consider this idea.
HOLIDAY RELATED ITEMS TO TOSS OR DONATE
1.Christmas trees
2. Christmas plates, wine glasses with scratched etchings of pine trees.
3. Christmas theme throws. I regret every Sherpa Christmas blanket- they collect dog hair like a Swiffer collects dust.
4. Assorted decorative bowls, trays, cake plates, platters. If you have a complete set, keep it. But if your dishes look like they belong on the lower clearance shelf at Marshalls, it is time to toss or donate.
Let me know your ideas for downsizing the holiday decor! Sa
Thank you for stopping by today! Forward to a friend who may enjoy quick ideas with long-winded sentences! Find me on Instagram.
I.
THREE BUCKETS
Anything you plan to sell, donate, or haul away, start now.
I have peeked my head into the unfinished room in the basement (utitilies) during an inspection with the buyer and I am amazed (and worried) about how motivated a seller is to move when they have stacks and stacks of boxes and baby furniture not ready for prime time, but taking up space in the basement or in a loft.
Our local Goodwill has a drive-thru service.
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Because Everyday Edits is all about the edits we make in our homes and lives these tips work for all of us. It is the little edits and tweaks we make that make downsizing feel like an accomplishment and not a chore to put off until next year.
We also did a lot of decluttering when we moved from our home of 36 years in NYC. Our Colorado house is double the size of our NY home, so obviously we had to fill those rooms with furniture, but I have been de-cluttering “stuff” and trying not to buy new “stuff,” which includes holiday decorations! If one of my kids expresses interest in anything decorative, I give it to them! I gave away most of the grandchildren’s toys as they’ve outgrown them all. My big problem now is art supplies, like scrapbook and art rubber stamps, etc. I thought my granddaughters might want to use them, but they are not interested. I hope to begin listing them for sale on Facebook Marketplace this winter.
I put books I’ve finished reading in local Little Free Libraries and bring clothes we no longer want to ARC.
As the years go on, I’ll be doing more — it truly never ends!
Hi Laura,
Happy (almost) Thanksgiving.
My husband moved from our family home of nearly 40 years to a seemingly much smaller home aIout 6 years ago. We purged like crazy and still felt the need to do more. After my husband passed (4 years ago) I did an additional purge. Now I’m pretty orgainized but as I’m assesing my Christmas boxes to make ready for decorating the “cottage” I’m pretty sure I need to take another swipe. Maybe it never ends. Haha.
Karen B.
Hi Karen, totally agree, I just emailed you! xo laura