Buzz
Image: Tatiana Maksimova/Getty ImagesIs this truly the most wonderful time of the year or the messiest? It’s tough to say. Getting ready for Christmas can be tricky (have you located Mom's gift yet?), but carving out some time to declutter your holiday essentials is key. You don’t want to be hunting for supplies on Christmas Eve. Here are eight things to declutter before Christmas—tackle even a few of these now and you’ll be well ahead of the holiday rush.
Damaged Ornaments
Whether it's that cute Santa ornament missing its hanging wire or a silver bell without a clapper, it might be time to part ways with it. While your holiday memories might last forever, your ornaments likely won't. It's a good habit to declutter them annually.
This is especially true for glass ornaments because nothing ruins the holiday cheer faster than cutting yourself on broken glass. There are already enough risks at this time of year—so it's best to eliminate one of them.
Holiday Decor That's Seen Better Days
Is your tinsel looking thin? Did your Elf On The Shelf fall last year and lose its hat? Get rid of any Christmas decor that’s not in good condition. It’s not visually appealing, and most of it can easily be replaced with something of better quality that will last longer.
Knotted or Damaged String Lights
With all the holiday shopping, work, and family commitments, do you really have time to untangle Christmas lights? Or worse, would you want to spend time doing that only to realize some bulbs aren’t working? Life is frustrating enough. Skip this task and treat yourself to a fresh set this year—plus, learn how to store tree lights to keep them tangle-free.
Artificial Christmas Trees
In many ways, fake Christmas trees are more practical than real ones. They’re more cost-effective over the long haul and you don’t have to hunt for a new one every year. However, while they last longer than a month, they certainly don’t last forever. If your tree is missing branches or has faded, it could be time for a replacement.
Holiday Baking Tools
Do you bake your famous Christmas cookies every year? Keep in mind, those snowflake cookie cutters won’t last as long as your cherished memories. Go through your holiday baking supplies to ensure everything is still in great shape. Toss any broken items and replace them before your next baking session.
Next, check your cake pans. If any have a worn-out, peeling, or chipped non-stick coating, it’s time to toss them. The same goes for cracked ceramic bakeware. Don’t forget to assess your decorating supplies like sprinkles, flour, sugar, baking soda, frosting, and icing. Discard anything past its expiration date.
Holiday-Themed Clothing
Are you heading to an ugly sweater party? Is your sweater from last year still in good shape, or did a moth get to it during the off-season? Take a look at your Christmas pajamas and holiday party outfits. Anything that’s worn out or has rips or holes should be cleared out and replaced. You might find something new on sale or even score unique pieces at a vintage store.
Nearly-Used-Up Wrapping Materials
We hate to break it to you, but that little scrap of wrapping paper that’s barely clinging to the roll won’t be enough to wrap a box of boots. Same goes for that last tiny bit of tape left over. Anything that can’t be used up should be tossed.
Unwanted Gifts from Last Year Gathering Dust
As much as you may try to drop hints about what you want for Christmas—or claim you don’t want anything at all—it’s inevitable that you’ll end up with gifts you didn’t quite want. Use the one-year rule during your holiday decluttering. If there are gifts gathering dust in your closet from last year, it’s okay to let go of them. You might even be able to regift them to someone else this year (we won’t judge!).
