As the holiday season approaches, our family embraces a cherished tradition alongside decorating the tree and baking festive treats: decluttering. With the influx of gifts that will soon arrive from our kind-hearted relatives (despite our requests for experiential gifts), we recognize the need to create space.
In the past, this decluttering ritual occurred stealthily while our children peacefully slept. My partner and I would hastily pack away unwanted toys for donation, and our kids would awaken none the wiser, unaware of the items we had discarded. However, last year marked a turning point as our children joined in the pre-Christmas tidying, and we were uncertain about their response.
To my astonishment, they welcomed the idea of letting go of their current toys, understanding that new ones awaited them from Santa (and my playful threat, “if Santa sees too many toys, he might skip you,” was never mentioned).
The Decluttering Process
Our decluttering process unfolds in three phases during the weekend following Thanksgiving.
1. Leading by Example
My partner and I begin sorting through our own belongings, explaining the reasons behind our actions to our kids as we clear out items.
2. Preparation
We inform our children that they will be sorting through their toys, emphasizing that they’ll be giving them to new homes where others can cherish and play with them. We highlight their good fortune in having so many toys and remind them that Santa and family will be bringing more gifts that require space. We also point out that they are older now and have outgrown many items.
3. The Decluttering
We guide them in choosing between similar toys, allowing them to pick favorites until only a few cherished items remain from each category. For smaller toys, like their collection of cars, we line them up and have them select a certain number of favorites. As they sort, we discard broken items or those with missing parts. This meticulous process can take quite a while, as they carefully examine their treasures, but ultimately, they are left with a collection of items they truly value.
The timing of this exercise is crucial, as their excitement for what lies beneath the Christmas tree overshadows any reluctance or attachment they might feel at other times of the year. Once the boxes are full, we hold a small “ceremony” to express gratitude to the toys for the joy they brought us and send them off to new, loving homes. Involving our kids in this process alleviates the guilt I once felt when discarding their toys without their knowledge. An added bonus is that we enter the new year with a clean slate, free from clutter.
My hope is that this practice instills in our children the belief that accumulating more items does not equate to increased happiness, and that true joy can often be found in giving to others. After all, it’s the season for generosity.
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In conclusion, our clutter-clearing ritual not only creates a welcoming environment for the holidays but also imparts essential lessons on generosity and appreciation in our children.