Love this. As I get older and have less need to recreate traditions for my almost grown children, I am more inclined to “decorate” to honour the winter season (as inspired) instead of any holiday. This feels more natural & gradual. Eliminating most of the expense, waste, & must do by dates. Although I was raised Catholic, I am not now religious, freeing me from more observances that filled my younger years & created pressures. Just respecting the seasons & the earth, & focusing on being kind gives me so much more peace. 😊
With age comes wisdom! I have a snowman collection with which I create vignettes in various places in my home. They stay out until mid-February in my frozen part of Canada by which time I am more than ready to treat myself to fresh flowers!
I really enjoy your videos, Benita. They are so calming, aesthetically pleasing and so good for my mental health. I always love it when Bonus makes an appearance.
I keep my cards (that have been handwritten in) in the box until I receive next year's card, then I will recycle the old one. It's a bit of a macabre reason but you never know which card will be your last from that person. I have ones from my nana and brother that stay in the box and go out each year because they are both gone.
Love the post-holiday declutter! One way to reuse beautiful Christmas cards is to cut them up into smaller squares and use the cut up pieces as gift tags next year. Works best with folded cards where the inside is empty, but you can also glue a little piece of blank paper on the underside of the tag to cover any writing. It's a great way to repurpose beautiful cards and also saves you from having to buy gift tags.
Dear Benita, the wooden candlestick is not such, but rather a nut cracker, the nut is placed in the center and hit with a hammer. we use it at christmas. ❤
I decluttered as the tree went up this year. I went from an extra large bin to just a small bin of ornaments. All of the faux wreaths and things were donated to a classroom. I'm only doing fresh next year and keeping it super simple- a wreath on the front door and I have a green door mat. The ornaments were edited and I have some beautiful white lights that I tuck in around the house and some candles. I am using the excuse that I need to paint my interior and I only have the next 9 days as an excuse to take everything down and declutter even more! :)
As a child of the 50s and 60s (in Scotland), we used to keep the tree for the twelve days of Christmas so it came down around January 5. This meant our home was very festive for friends and family to visit, especially at New Year. When living overseas, I spent Christmas Day with a friend. She began taking down the tree and decorations in the evening after our meal. I was shocked and joked that it was a not so gentle hint that it was time for me to go! Thanks for your ideas.
@@manichairdo9265 There are so many holidays celebrated nowadays but back then Christmas and New Year seemed to be one of the few bright spots in what could be a long, grey, wet year in Scotland!
Here in Georgia, USA, our back door neighbor put their tree and decor up the day after Thanksgiving (the last Thursday in November) and took their tree down the day after Christmas - like clockwork! I keep mine up for the 12 days of Christmas through January 6 and take it down after that. Especially, if we don’t get it up and decorated until a week before Christmas. But, our decor has been edited and become more minimalist over the last 10 years. Happy New Year!
I liked your idea for cleaning your throw rug. It doesn't get waterlogged like it does when you put it in the washer. I put up just a minimal amount of holiday decor now that I'm older. Mainly it's winter themed items you can leave out all winter. I used to have every room decorated Martha Stewart style. Wonder how I did it all back then.
This video inspired me to clean the fridge after Christmas. There were too much food, I threw away everything that was not necessary. Thanks to cleaning, we could reset our eating behaviour. Getting back to normal to take care of our stomach.
I am so with you of being over it the day after Christmas. I just want my neat and tidy house back. I in no way have a ton of decoration, but what I do have needs to be put away as soon as possible!! 😁
Definitely not ready to put away my decorations on Boxing day,but when I am (usually 2nd January) these tips will be so useful.Happy new year Benita from Scotland.
As per tradition our decorations stay up till Epiphany, the 6th of January. The garden twinkles stay up til end of January. Wishing you all a peaceful and inspired 2024. And thank you Benita for all your inspirational content. Looking forward to the summerhouse editions.
Such a great video. You reminded me to recycle the Christmas cards. I actually put my decorations away late afternoon Christmas Day. I feel a little guilty doing it but waking up the day after Christmas to a tidy house is worth it! I only have one box of decorations too.
A local crafter takes used greeting cards to make small gift boxes which are sold as a fundraiser for a local charity. I simply remove the front of the cards to give to her and shred the remainder for compost or recycling.
I use the recycled Christmas cards for name tags on the gifts next year…they are much prettier than the store bought tags… I enjoy cutting the cards into different shapes to fit the gift.
I do a massive deep clean and reset the second week in December. The tree goes up round about 13th. I take it all down Boxing Day. It’s lovely to get back to normal! I then do another deep clean. I relax a bit over the holiday period and find doing two big cleans at the beginning and end works well. I always get a real tree but don’t mind the mess.😊. I love the smell.
Hi Benita from Texas! I found a seller on Etsy that makes beautiful Aalto inspired tables and other furniture. I just received my custom desk and love it. He asked how I found him. So I told him about your videos and your desk which started my quest to find one I can afford. Thanks for all the inspiration you provide us with.
In the United States some people leave up lights on the outside of their home ALL YEAR ROUND! It drives me nuts! lol! There's nothing like driving or walking down the street and seeing Christmas lights on in the summer!
A woman after my own heart! Such a lovely, soothing video. It’s 27 December and I wake up with enthusiasm and joy as it’s my day for clearing everything away.
Always a lovely morning when you post a video, Benita. It sets a peaceful tone for my day. So therapeutic and aspirational. You’ve been instrumental in helping me create a more streamlined, cozy, and peaceful vibe in my home. Thank you 🙏🏻🤍
Snow is the best way ever to clean things. I had dirty muddy shoes from a previous hike. Went hiking in fresh light snow a few weeks after. They were clean like almost new!!
So appreciate your videos. Snow cleaning! I've heard of it but didn't quite understand it. Great idea. I usually keep up my decor as my birthday is early January. Every year I purge and every year I always buy a little something new. I kept it simple this year, lights, narcissus, flowering cactus and pinecones. Simmering pot pourri, and knitted pillow covers. And a vintage Santa and sled my father made for me in the 80s.
I’m fascinated with the “keep it simple” concept. We have a pine tree that survived two summers at the back garden and joined us for a month festive season for the third time this year. We also keep our light in a panettone tin, together with the star. This year my husband patiently folded the paper danish hearts that we hanged in the tree. January 8th the pine tree will be back to the garden and we will ensure that will make for another year ❤
Does it freeze where you live ? How do you keep it from dying? We always got a fresh tree but they’ve gotten so expensive. This year we bought a reusable tree but it’s not the same. I miss the fresh pine scent. I would like to get a potted tree instead and if we could reuse it as you have it would be a win win!
@@marisol0813 we live in The Netherlands, here are more dangerous the dry summers than the wet winters. This year we got plenty of rain, even during summer, so the pine tree even grow a bit. In our city you get the change to “adopt” one from a tree nursery, keep it home during the holidays and bring it back early January.
In my next life I would like to be Benita Larrson! Thank you for your inspiring videos over the years. I appreciate your sensible and artful example, Benita. ❤
Hello Benita ! I always start decorating very early, so I always remove the Christmas decorations very soon too. I love when everything is clear, minimal and undecorated afterwards. Thank you very much for the beautiful video. Greatings from Germany ❤
I always love your videos but I especially love this one. The street scenes combined with the indoor scenes, the practical tips, just everything about it! The house does always feel naked after everything’s been taken down, so I love having help thinking about how to keep it cozy. Happy new year to you, Benita! Thank you for all your wonderful, thoughtful, helpful videos this year. ❤🥂🍾
I am always encouraged by your Christmas decorating videos as your home looks so inviting and Christmassy with just a few well-placed lights and decorations! So this year, I concentrated on creating Christmas cozy the same way. I loved the results! I will have a lot to donate next year! Less is more (and easier to pack away)! Thank you and Happy New Year!
Our decorations usually come down on boxing day because we're sick of them by then, this year we all have colds so I don't feel up to it. I always do a bit of a spring clean and clear out when I do
Emlékszem, hogy anyukám is mindig télen kivitte a szőnyeget, lábtörlőket és a hóban csinálta ezt, az udvaron, mindig arrébb rakva azt. Jó volt látni tőled is ezt, nem csak tiszta lesz, de friss illata is. Köszönöm, hogy megosztottad velünk!
After Christmas, another gift : a new video 😊 Thank you so much Benita for all the help you bring in my life during those years. I wish you all the best, joyeuses fêtes de fin d'année 🥰😻
Beautiful and gentle as always, thank you! You also shared such a poem for my favorite season, winter post holidays. I know it can be hard for a lot of people but the stillness and elegance of the winter, time to assess, heal, grow,---sort of w meeting of soul, intellect and aesthetics. Sending you a happy, lucky, beautiful 2024~
Thank you so much for not leaving me as the only one who gets rid of it all today the 26.dec. I am so over it, and have been longing for my clean cut home. I do love my Christmas stuff, it is most nature based things - but now it is gone and all is clean, I feel alive again. Have a great New Year dear Benita.
We live on a boat so our "tree" is boughs around the mast, with white lights and special ornaments from over the years which go up the Sunday before Christmas unless that falls early in the week, then it is the Sunday before. A wreath from fresh boughs, our 2 stockings, and some crystals finish it out. NYE day is when I take it all down and do a good clean so that on Jan 1, the previous year is put away and we can start fresh. All the best to you in the coming year and thank you for the beautiful content. I look forward to your videos. Cheers from Canada.
I love Stockholm and store my things in the loft so have to be mouse proof. I have a sonic deterrent but they love my Ugg boots and Christmas decorations so now realise what I should do. I love your clean cut home and tidy approach - simple and easy.
last year i decided to recycle rolls of paper. was driving me cray cray. so i went on line and found wrapping sheets. and i got rid of most cute ornaments, my tree was white with just cardinals on it and white lights, on new years i will remove cardinals and just have tree with white lights till mid january. :) Have a blessed New Year Benita. ~ toodles 🙏🙏🐈
Christmas lasts from last week of November thru first week of February, Stir-up Sunday thru Candlemas/Presentation. And "you're so over it" by December 26. That precious.
We have had news on the BBC about the terrible cold weather and bad snow in Sweden and Norway ... Sending warmth from UK and hope you all stay well .. warm and safe ..
This was another perfect video for the time. I usually keep things up until after New Year's Day or Jan 6 but it may be earlier this year. I think it helps to mentally make the transition to a mental mindset of "New Year, New Me". Outside, I actually really appreciate seeing the greens and outdoor lights until March. This video is great motivation!
I had a lot of social engagements during the christmas season and I get that it is a social celebration for most but for me christmas is really a much needed opportunity to calm down and read, long walks and just feel zero stress to do anything or go anywhere. Therefore I like to put up my decorations little by little so that the house is in full decoration only at the last week so I don't get bored of it and then I celebrate christmas by myself up to the day before new years when I finally take the decorations down. The only things I take down before that are any plants that look sad and the advent calendar. But I still like to keep the christmas lights until february when it starts to get a bit more light out so I store those separately.
At 67 in the USA, I have a large home, over 3400 sf & a 3 car garage, only 8 yo house, w/ 2 decks and 2 porches, 1 screened & one open…..a lot for a single, handicapped woman. My goal is to get to this level of simplicity. Good tips….HNY !!
A great tip for getting stubborn candle stumps out of candle holders once they‘re burnt down is to put them in the freezer! The cold will shrink the wax and I just use a butter knife or something similar to pop it out after. Sounds odd, but it works every time and I find it way less messy than melting the remaining wax :)
I keep my items for donation for the following year in a bag and donate right after Halloween. Donations centres don’t have the space or resources to store Christmas decor from one year to the next and often what we think is being donated is being thrown out to a landfill. There was a news article on this a few years ago.
I do like your deep window sills. I bought lots of books before Christmas, this morning I had to rearrange a bookcase but still had piles of literature nestling on the floor beside armchairs. I decided that it would be a good idea to leave them there to remind me what I must read before the end of January….Any excuse to sit and read!
In the UK, we traditionally leave the decor up until 12th night, 6th January, Three Kings Day. Whilst I don't put the decor away until then, I do tidy it all up into one discreet place. That way I can return my home to its clutter free quiet.
Some traditions are nice to practice. With young grandchildren here who really enjoy the sparkly lights and Christmas decorations we will keep ours up till the 12th night too. 😊
Thank you for this lovely content. Every year, after the tree is up, I immediately look forward to the post Christmas gift of tidying it all away again. I think I enjoy packing it all up more than getting it all out. Fresh flowers and a simmering pot of rosemary and lemons on the stove make my space feel rejuvenated and fresh again. Today, I will be moving forward with the pack away, and it was a double delight to watch you do yours first.
🎉 happy holidays to you. I too put my decorations up on Thanksgiving day for their actor and on 26 December I begin moving my Christmas linens, tea towels and linens that I used during the Christmas season and launder them and fold them and placed them in a bin to be stored for the coming Christmas season next year, I also put away all the Christmas platters Christmas dishes, small serving pieces after they have been washed and dried and wrapped and placed in bins to be stored for the next year, today I organized my linens and tied ribbons around the napkins, and all the like things were put together, and with ribbons wrapped around them, the tablecloths were folded and placed in the bottom of the bin, and the other linens were stacked accordingly, and I also redid my bins for my Christmas platters and Christmas serving pieces and separated the small items for serving and the large items and put them in separate bins, the smaller items that are left out I want more than likely take them down on New Year’s Eve, and pack those things away and reset my home for the winter and they coming seasons ahead. I am a retired wife, mother, grandmother friend, so I do have the time, but I don’t want to spend at least two weeks packing things away after the new year, and no judgment to those who live their decorations up until after January 6 but this is a system I have used for many years and I do honor those people that keep their decorations up, may God give you his favor during the year 2024
So many excellent ideas, Benita! I have been struggling with goal setting for 2024 but, last night, was able to put pencil to paper. Many of the items I have in my plan you have mentioned here. But your "take" on many has given me fresh ideas and I am grateful! May the new year be full of the blessings you need the most.💕
Cleaning my house after my parents and brother left the day after Boxing Day was important for my mental health. I haven't done the tree yet because the kids like it, and it's not in the way. But the floors! The bathrooms! Having three extra adults in the house really does a number. I'm just starting to feel everything is getting under control again. It's summer here but it's been raining a lot, so we've been inside more than usual and getting the house tidy has been a high priority.
You are "so over it" by Christmas day, you said. That's funny. I am so over it a couple of weeks before that, as it is a sad holiday for me anymore. But I sure can get excited on December 31 when I get to watch fireworks all over the world as they ring in the new year, then the ball drop in Times Square, and then waking up the next morning to a brand new year and a fresh start, and an opportunity to change parts of my life if I want to. Happy New Year everyone! 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉
In any case, in some homes, traditionally, the nativity scene was inaugurated shortly before Advent, for the feast of Saint Catherine of Alexandria, on November 25. And as for when the nativity scene should be taken out, tradition indicates that it is taken out on Candlemas, on February 2.
We put away our Christmas decor after Christmas, but we always leave some greenery up until the end of January so it doesn't look so bare and stark. Pinecones, greens and red berries! Bring winter nature inside
First of all, I would like to thank you for the many inspirations from your videos. Sometimes you need a push from outside to sharpen your focus and focus back on what's important. For us, Christmas was always a wonderful family celebration. My mother made it magical for us children. I will always be grateful to her for that. I took on this automatically and with just as much passion for my family. My children are now adults and unfortunately live quite far away. For this reason, we rarely come home. But Christmas, with my parents, daughters, children and husbands, was always a big celebration for us. Except the last 4 times. Corona, death of my mother, Corona, illness. So 4 years of none, or an “incomplete” family for Christmas. That's why I'll be rededicating it as a family winter festival starting this year. That feels better to me. I've probably become a bit superstitious. ;-) In the meantime, inspired by you again, I've gotten rid of a lot of decorative ballast and... it feels good! Thanks.
I use my Christmas cards I received as next years gift tags, use the lovely front festive scene that hasn’t been written on, take a pair of crimping scissors around it, place a hole at the top with your hole punch and wham it’s ready for next year 🎁🎅🏻😁
I totally agree. Come Boxing Day I’m ready to pack away the Christmas decorations and prepare for our summer holidays. I love the decorations up until then and don’t really know why it changes so suddenly. I loved the video. I even found myself smiling through out. It’s the 27th here in New Zealand time for the decorations to come down. Seasons greetings and Happy New Year Benita x
Dear Benita! Glad to see your new video is on🤩 in Germany we keep our Christmas decorations till January, 6th…. For me it’s ok, but then afterwards it’s a good feeling to freshen up the house! Like your tip regarding the rug cleaning, unfortunately in our region there is not enough snow😞 so, I wish you a happy new year ! See you again soon! Lots of love from Iris from southwest Germany 👋🫶🌟
A friend gave me the idea to cut up holiday cards and use them as gift tags the following year. Some are so beautiful that they really add to a simple gift wrapping.
Very interesting about cleaning your rugs in the snow, I've never heard of that. I"m going to take down my decor tomorrow, but I will leave up my white lights and maybe switch around some items from my house to create some new looks. Trying to keep things light and cheery to get through the next few Winter months.
I have a selenite lamp in my kitchen, it gives so much warmth & lovely energy, I feel like you could have one instead of your peg lamp. my sister visited over Christmas & said how much heart & soul it gave out- your home would love it ✨
I went through my Christmas decorations before putting some of display and gave away a few items and again after the new year, I will go through them to downsize even more. I love to wash the blankets and rugs to start the new year fresh!
I take Christmas decor down bit by bit, leaving the tree until after New Year. I clean my house every Wednesday, so I will put the tree away on 3 January this year. I have a friend who makes the most beautiful Christmas cards, so I save them from each year and display them. Everything except the tree fits into two small boxes stored on a shelf in my wardrobe. Thank you for this thoughtful video.
Very therapeutic..is your voice. And Thank you for all your storage tips and decluttering...I am just catching up on your videos.... I didn't do anything for Christmas ..... I lost my Husband first week of December... I am so lost ...and heartbroken 💔.... X
Lovely suggestions. I too take down my Christmas decorations on December 25th, my parents kept theirs up until January 8th each year. But for me 3 weeks is long enough. I took my down today and also put a lovely vase of pale yellow Astromelia flowers. I just put up minimal decorations and I also donated some that I had purchased in England to friends, who were quite happy to receive these decorations. I am happy not going overboard. Love the idea of doing what you did to your area rugs on the balcony. We don’t have any snow this year, just rain, but I do place them outside and swept them and air my area rugs, as you do. All the best to you and your family in 2024 from a long time subscriber from Canada.
Great video again Benita. I used to decorate a week before Christmas and leave them up until epiphany but in recent years I decorate at the beginning of December. So, it's 27th today and I'm feeling twitchy and want to get on with resetting the house and packing away Christmas. Wishing you a very happy and healthy 2024.
Take my decorations down traditionally on 6th jan, we do 12 days before & 12 days after Xmas but i have started to take them down earlier probably 1st or 2nd jan xxx
Thank you, Benita; it was a pleasant watch, as usual! I don't have many ornaments/lights, etc., since I prefer to decorate with natural pieces - I have a live tree and its branches in a couple of vases. Then, I add some red and white ornaments and the lush red poinsettia, and that's enough to create a festive vibe. Two years ago, I decided to stop giving/sending Christmas cards and prefer not to get them, though I still get some. Still, those are from people I love to get and keep. This year, I decluttered in early December and donated some beautiful stuff that wasn't used for 2-3 years, so I gave it up. The next decluttering will go on when I take my decor down, which probably will be on January 6. I wish you a Happy New Year and good luck with the summer house!
Everything sparkling and shinny as always…..love that you put the rug in the snow, great idea…here we could only put it in the rain……….Happy New Year………Donna in Toronto
If you're looking for sources, I've tried to collect as many as I can here: www.benitalarsson.com/sources
Love this. As I get older and have less need to recreate traditions for my almost grown children, I am more inclined to “decorate” to honour the winter season (as inspired) instead of any holiday. This feels more natural & gradual. Eliminating most of the expense, waste, & must do by dates. Although I was raised Catholic, I am not now religious, freeing me from more observances that filled my younger years & created pressures. Just respecting the seasons & the earth, & focusing on being kind gives me so much more peace. 😊
That makes so much sense!
I totally agree! I enjoy the cycle of the seasons and changing seasonal decor a bit!
This was lovely to read, thank you for the inspiration.
With age comes wisdom! I have a snowman collection with which I create vignettes in various places in my home. They stay out until mid-February in my frozen part of Canada by which time I am more than ready to treat myself to fresh flowers!
Love this! Happy winter.
I really enjoy your videos, Benita. They are so calming, aesthetically pleasing and so good for my mental health. I always love it when Bonus makes an appearance.
Thank you! I’m always happy when he agrees to participate 😅
He's already dressed up for New Year's Eve, looking very handsome.
I have a little preference for the tortoiseshell cat, she's a beauty!! But both are adorable when they make an appearance.
Agree. Is the cat called Bonus? Cute wasn’t sure.
I keep my cards (that have been handwritten in) in the box until I receive next year's card, then I will recycle the old one. It's a bit of a macabre reason but you never know which card will be your last from that person. I have ones from my nana and brother that stay in the box and go out each year because they are both gone.
That's very sweet!
I do same with cards for that reason x
Love the post-holiday declutter! One way to reuse beautiful Christmas cards is to cut them up into smaller squares and use the cut up pieces as gift tags next year. Works best with folded cards where the inside is empty, but you can also glue a little piece of blank paper on the underside of the tag to cover any writing. It's a great way to repurpose beautiful cards and also saves you from having to buy gift tags.
That’s a lovely idea if you want to keep them longer!
I love this idea, thanks
Thank you Benita for the beautiful footage of Stockholm at Christmas! What a relaxing treat to watch this video after a busy, but wonderful day.❤️
So happy to hear you liked it!
As always peaceful interesting and always something of value thank you🎉
Dear Benita, the wooden candlestick is not such, but rather a nut cracker, the nut is placed in the center and hit with a hammer. we use it at christmas. ❤
That’s so interesting!😲
Wow! I never would've guessed this.
I decluttered as the tree went up this year. I went from an extra large bin to just a small bin of ornaments. All of the faux wreaths and things were donated to a classroom. I'm only doing fresh next year and keeping it super simple- a wreath on the front door and I have a green door mat. The ornaments were edited and I have some beautiful white lights that I tuck in around the house and some candles. I am using the excuse that I need to paint my interior and I only have the next 9 days as an excuse to take everything down and declutter even more! :)
I love how organized you are!
As a child of the 50s and 60s (in Scotland), we used to keep the tree for the twelve days of Christmas so it came down around January 5. This meant our home was very festive for friends and family to visit, especially at New Year. When living overseas, I spent Christmas Day with a friend. She began taking down the tree and decorations in the evening after our meal. I was shocked and joked that it was a not so gentle hint that it was time for me to go! Thanks for your ideas.
Haha, can see how you would feel that she was cleaning you out as well😅
In the Highlands then as a child as well. Moved away and it took time to adapt to those with the 'less is more' mind set. 😂
@@manichairdo9265 There are so many holidays celebrated nowadays but back then Christmas and New Year seemed to be one of the few bright spots in what could be a long, grey, wet year in Scotland!
@ajd6627 It sure was, and I've never seen anything quite like it. Hae a guid new year.
Here in Georgia, USA, our back door neighbor put their tree and decor up the day after Thanksgiving (the last Thursday in November) and took their tree down the day after Christmas - like clockwork! I keep mine up for the 12 days of Christmas through January 6 and take it down after that. Especially, if we don’t get it up and decorated until a week before Christmas. But, our decor has been edited and become more minimalist over the last 10 years. Happy New Year!
I liked your idea for cleaning your throw rug. It doesn't get waterlogged like it does when you put it in the washer. I put up just a minimal amount of holiday decor now that I'm older. Mainly it's winter themed items you can leave out all winter. I used to have every room decorated Martha Stewart style. Wonder how I did it all back then.
I decorated way more when my son was young too!
This video inspired me to clean the fridge after Christmas. There were too much food, I threw away everything that was not necessary. Thanks to cleaning, we could reset our eating behaviour. Getting back to normal to take care of our stomach.
Could donate the food rather than throw away. On my local Facebook people were offering food and getting takers
I am so with you of being over it the day after Christmas. I just want my neat and tidy house back. I in no way have a ton of decoration, but what I do have needs to be put away as soon as possible!! 😁
I love putting it up but love even more taking it down, haha!
@@BenitaLarsson Exactly 😁
I love decorating for the holidays but by the 28th I’m longing to pack it all up!
Definitely not ready to put away my decorations on Boxing day,but when I am (usually 2nd January) these tips will be so useful.Happy new year Benita from Scotland.
Happy if they’re useful after new year’s!
As per tradition our decorations stay up till Epiphany, the 6th of January. The garden twinkles stay up til end of January. Wishing you all a peaceful and inspired 2024. And thank you Benita for all your inspirational content. Looking forward to the summerhouse editions.
I can’t wait to go to the summer house and really get started there! Meanwhile Happy new year!
Such a great video. You reminded me to recycle the Christmas cards. I actually put my decorations away late afternoon Christmas Day. I feel a little guilty doing it but waking up the day after Christmas to a tidy house is worth it! I only have one box of decorations too.
So worth it! Glad you enjoyed the video!
A local crafter takes used greeting cards to make small gift boxes which are sold as a fundraiser for a local charity. I simply remove the front of the cards to give to her and shred the remainder for compost or recycling.
I use the recycled Christmas cards for name tags on the gifts next year…they are much prettier than the store bought tags… I enjoy cutting the cards into different shapes to fit the gift.
I do a massive deep clean and reset the second week in December. The tree goes up round about 13th. I take it all down Boxing Day. It’s lovely to get back to normal! I then do another deep clean. I relax a bit over the holiday period and find doing two big cleans at the beginning and end works well. I always get a real tree but don’t mind the mess.😊. I love the smell.
Hi Benita from Texas! I found a seller on Etsy that makes beautiful Aalto inspired tables and other furniture. I just received my custom desk and love it. He asked how I found him. So I told him about your videos and your desk which started my quest to find one I can afford. Thanks for all the inspiration you provide us with.
I’m so happy for you! My quest continues!🤓
Happy new year….from Quebec, Canada 💕🧑🏻🎄
In the United States some people leave up lights on the outside of their home ALL YEAR ROUND! It drives me nuts! lol! There's nothing like driving or walking down the street and seeing Christmas lights on in the summer!
I feel you pain, haha!
A woman after my own heart! Such a lovely, soothing video. It’s 27 December and I wake up with enthusiasm and joy as it’s my day for clearing everything away.
So glad you enjoyed it!
Always a lovely morning when you post a video, Benita. It sets a peaceful tone for my day. So therapeutic and aspirational. You’ve been instrumental in helping me create a more streamlined, cozy, and peaceful vibe in my home. Thank you 🙏🏻🤍
I’m so happy if my videos have been inspiring to you!
I am really impressed with the new rug cleaning method. Your mom was so genius who taught you such a time saving method
It’s a great way! Just wish I had more room😅
I've never seen anyone snow clean a rug, but what a great idea!
Snow is the best way ever to clean things. I had dirty muddy shoes from a previous hike. Went hiking in fresh light snow a few weeks after. They were clean like almost new!!
So appreciate your videos. Snow cleaning! I've heard of it but didn't quite understand it. Great idea. I usually keep up my decor as my birthday is early January. Every year I purge and every year I always buy a little something new. I kept it simple this year, lights, narcissus, flowering cactus and pinecones. Simmering pot pourri, and knitted pillow covers. And a vintage Santa and sled my father made for me in the 80s.
That all sounds lovely!
I’m fascinated with the “keep it simple” concept. We have a pine tree that survived two summers at the back garden and joined us for a month festive season for the third time this year. We also keep our light in a panettone tin, together with the star. This year my husband patiently folded the paper danish hearts that we hanged in the tree. January 8th the pine tree will be back to the garden and we will ensure that will make for another year ❤
I love that you can reuse the same tree from year to year!
Does it freeze where you live ? How do you keep it from dying? We always got a fresh tree but they’ve gotten so expensive. This year we bought a reusable tree but it’s not the same. I miss the fresh pine scent. I would like to get a potted tree instead and if we could reuse it as you have it would be a win win!
@@marisol0813 we live in The Netherlands, here are more dangerous the dry summers than the wet winters. This year we got plenty of rain, even during summer, so the pine tree even grow a bit. In our city you get the change to “adopt” one from a tree nursery, keep it home during the holidays and bring it back early January.
It seems too soon. It’s nice to have some sparkle around for New Year’s Eve.
There are no rules, you can keep as much up as you’d like for as long as you want! 💫
In my next life I would like to be Benita Larrson! Thank you for your inspiring videos over the years. I appreciate your sensible and artful example, Benita. ❤
Aww, that’s so sweet, thank you!
I agree... Benitas videos are soothing, inspiring and I have taken so many ideas from watching.
Hello Benita !
I always start decorating very early, so I always remove the Christmas decorations very soon too.
I love when everything is clear, minimal and undecorated afterwards.
Thank you very much for the beautiful video.
Greatings from Germany ❤
I think that’s it, if you start early you also want to take it down early!
I always love your videos but I especially love this one. The street scenes combined with the indoor scenes, the practical tips, just everything about it! The house does always feel naked after everything’s been taken down, so I love having help thinking about how to keep it cozy. Happy new year to you, Benita! Thank you for all your wonderful, thoughtful, helpful videos this year. ❤🥂🍾
I am always encouraged by your Christmas decorating videos as your home looks so inviting and Christmassy with just a few well-placed lights and decorations! So this year, I concentrated on creating Christmas cozy the same way. I loved the results! I will have a lot to donate next year! Less is more (and easier to pack away)! Thank you and Happy New Year!
Happy if you found inspiration on my channel!
Our decorations usually come down on boxing day because we're sick of them by then, this year we all have colds so I don't feel up to it. I always do a bit of a spring clean and clear out when I do
Hope you feel better soon!
@@BenitaLarsson thank you.
Emlékszem, hogy anyukám is mindig télen kivitte a szőnyeget, lábtörlőket és a hóban csinálta ezt, az udvaron, mindig arrébb rakva azt. Jó volt látni tőled is ezt, nem csak tiszta lesz, de friss illata is. Köszönöm, hogy megosztottad velünk!
After Christmas, another gift : a new video 😊
Thank you so much Benita for all the help you bring in my life during those years. I wish you all the best, joyeuses fêtes de fin d'année 🥰😻
Aww, that's so sweet, I'm so happy you enjoy them!
Beautiful and gentle as always, thank you! You also shared such a poem for my favorite season, winter post holidays. I know it can be hard for a lot of people but the stillness and elegance of the winter, time to assess, heal, grow,---sort of w meeting of soul, intellect and aesthetics. Sending you a happy, lucky, beautiful 2024~
So glad you enjoyed it!
Thank you so much for not leaving me as the only one who gets rid of it all today the 26.dec. I am so over it, and have been longing for my clean cut home. I do love my Christmas stuff, it is most nature based things - but now it is gone and all is clean, I feel alive again. Have a great New Year dear Benita.
Feels so nice and fresh, right?!
It sure does
We live on a boat so our "tree" is boughs around the mast, with white lights and special ornaments from over the years which go up the Sunday before Christmas unless that falls early in the week, then it is the Sunday before. A wreath from fresh boughs, our 2 stockings, and some crystals finish it out.
NYE day is when I take it all down and do a good clean so that on Jan 1, the previous year is put away and we can start fresh.
All the best to you in the coming year and thank you for the beautiful content. I look forward to your videos.
Cheers from Canada.
That sounds so dreamy!
I love Stockholm and store my things in the loft so have to be mouse proof. I have a sonic deterrent but they love my Ugg boots and Christmas decorations so now realise what I should do. I love your clean cut home and tidy approach - simple and easy.
Thanks so much for watching!
The annual de-Christmasing is such a breath of fresh air!
Such a clean fresh feeling!
last year i decided to recycle rolls of paper. was driving me cray cray. so i went on line and found wrapping sheets. and i got rid of most cute ornaments, my tree was white with just cardinals on it and white lights, on new years i will remove cardinals and just have tree with white lights till mid january. :) Have a blessed New Year Benita. ~ toodles 🙏🙏🐈
That tree sounds beautiful!
Christmas lasts from last week of November thru first week of February, Stir-up Sunday thru Candlemas/Presentation. And "you're so over it" by December 26. That precious.
You constantly inspiring me to continue to live a simple and somewhat of a minimalistic life.. thank you Benita!
We have had news on the BBC about the terrible cold weather and bad snow in Sweden and Norway ... Sending warmth from UK and hope you all stay well .. warm and safe ..
So cold and windy but safe here in the city, thank you!
"Snow washing" is great for my Navajo rugs. I wait until it is below zero F and in fresh snow.
Yup , that’s the way to do it!
Your home is so lovely. Your cleaning and organizing was actually calming and tranquil. Love this video.
Thank you so much!
This was another perfect video for the time. I usually keep things up until after
New Year's Day or Jan 6 but it may be earlier this year. I think it helps to mentally make the transition to a mental mindset of "New Year, New Me". Outside, I actually really appreciate seeing the greens and outdoor lights until March. This video is great motivation!
I agree, it’s a mental thing!
The first of the year is the best time to purge! Wishing you, Bonus and your family a very peaceful and Happy New Year! 🤩
Happy new year to you and yours too!💫
I had a lot of social engagements during the christmas season and I get that it is a social celebration for most but for me christmas is really a much needed opportunity to calm down and read, long walks and just feel zero stress to do anything or go anywhere. Therefore I like to put up my decorations little by little so that the house is in full decoration only at the last week so I don't get bored of it and then I celebrate christmas by myself up to the day before new years when I finally take the decorations down. The only things I take down before that are any plants that look sad and the advent calendar. But I still like to keep the christmas lights until february when it starts to get a bit more light out so I store those separately.
At 67 in the USA, I have a large home, over 3400 sf & a 3 car garage, only 8 yo house, w/ 2 decks and 2 porches, 1 screened & one open…..a lot for a single, handicapped woman. My goal is to get to this level of simplicity. Good tips….HNY !!
Great video. Very clever rug cleaning tip too! I wish you a Happy and most importantly healthy 2024!
Thanks so much for watching! Wishing you a Happy New Year too!💫
A great tip for getting stubborn candle stumps out of candle holders once they‘re burnt down is to put them in the freezer!
The cold will shrink the wax and I just use a butter knife or something similar to pop it out after.
Sounds odd, but it works every time and I find it way less messy than melting the remaining wax :)
I did that and do that but on this piece it wouldn’t budge.
I keep my items for donation for the following year in a bag and donate right after Halloween. Donations centres don’t have the space or resources to store Christmas decor from one year to the next and often what we think is being donated is being thrown out to a landfill. There was a news article on this a few years ago.
I do like your deep window sills. I bought lots of books before Christmas, this morning I had to rearrange a bookcase but still had piles of literature nestling on the floor beside armchairs. I decided that it would be a good idea to leave them there to remind me what I must read before the end of January….Any excuse to sit and read!
Thank you for such a comforting video! It is the best thing to watch in a slowly period during holidays!
Glad you enjoyed it!
In the UK, we traditionally leave the decor up until 12th night, 6th January, Three Kings Day. Whilst I don't put the decor away until then, I do tidy it all up into one discreet place. That way I can return my home to its clutter free quiet.
But you don’t have to keep any of it up if you don’t want to 😉
Some traditions are nice to practice.
With young grandchildren here who really enjoy the sparkly lights and Christmas decorations we will keep ours up till the 12th night too. 😊
Thank you for this lovely content. Every year, after the tree is up, I immediately look forward to the post Christmas gift of tidying it all away again. I think I enjoy packing it all up more than getting it all out. Fresh flowers and a simmering pot of rosemary and lemons on the stove make my space feel rejuvenated and fresh again. Today, I will be moving forward with the pack away, and it was a double delight to watch you do yours first.
I think I also enjoy packing it away a bit more than putting it up😅
Thank you for this wonderful ritual of resetting post holiday. A happy & healthy 2024 to you & yours. XX
I wish you the same!💫
🎉 happy holidays to you. I too put my decorations up on Thanksgiving day for their actor and on 26 December I begin moving my Christmas linens, tea towels and linens that I used during the Christmas season and launder them and fold them and placed them in a bin to be stored for the coming Christmas season next year, I also put away all the Christmas platters Christmas dishes, small serving pieces after they have been washed and dried and wrapped and placed in bins to be stored for the next year, today I organized my linens and tied ribbons around the napkins, and all the like things were put together, and with ribbons wrapped around them, the tablecloths were folded and placed in the bottom of the bin, and the other linens were stacked accordingly, and I also redid my bins for my Christmas platters and Christmas serving pieces and separated the small items for serving and the large items and put them in separate bins, the smaller items that are left out I want more than likely take them down on New Year’s Eve, and pack those things away and reset my home for the winter and they coming seasons ahead. I am a retired wife, mother, grandmother friend, so I do have the time, but I don’t want to spend at least two weeks packing things away after the new year, and no judgment to those who live their decorations up until after January 6 but this is a system I have used for many years and I do honor those people that keep their decorations up, may God give you his favor during the year 2024
Thanks so much for sharing!
thank you SO much for your videos! i love how cozy and calming they are! always feel motivation to clean and decorate my house after watching it
So many excellent ideas, Benita! I have been struggling with goal setting for 2024 but, last night, was able to put pencil to paper. Many of the items I have in my plan you have mentioned here. But your "take" on many has given me fresh ideas and I am grateful! May the new year be full of the blessings you need the most.💕
I’m so happy if my videos have been inspiring to you!
Cleaning my house after my parents and brother left the day after Boxing Day was important for my mental health. I haven't done the tree yet because the kids like it, and it's not in the way. But the floors! The bathrooms! Having three extra adults in the house really does a number. I'm just starting to feel everything is getting under control again. It's summer here but it's been raining a lot, so we've been inside more than usual and getting the house tidy has been a high priority.
You are "so over it" by Christmas day, you said. That's funny. I am so over it a couple of weeks before that, as it is a sad holiday for me anymore. But I sure can get excited on December 31 when I get to watch fireworks all over the world as they ring in the new year, then the ball drop in Times Square, and then waking up the next morning to a brand new year and a fresh start, and an opportunity to change parts of my life if I want to.
Happy New Year everyone!
🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉
Happy new year to you too!💫
In any case, in some homes, traditionally, the nativity scene was inaugurated shortly before Advent, for the feast of Saint Catherine of Alexandria, on November 25.
And as for when the nativity scene should be taken out, tradition indicates that it is taken out on Candlemas, on February 2.
Those tulips are so beautiful and such a great idea!
We put away our Christmas decor after Christmas, but we always leave some greenery up until the end of January so it doesn't look so bare and stark. Pinecones, greens and red berries! Bring winter nature inside
First of all, I would like to thank you for the many inspirations from your videos. Sometimes you need a push from outside to sharpen your focus and focus back on what's important. For us, Christmas was always a wonderful family celebration. My mother made it magical for us children. I will always be grateful to her for that. I took on this automatically and with just as much passion for my family. My children are now adults and unfortunately live quite far away. For this reason, we rarely come home. But Christmas, with my parents, daughters, children and husbands, was always a big celebration for us. Except the last 4 times. Corona, death of my mother, Corona, illness. So 4 years of none, or an “incomplete” family for Christmas. That's why I'll be rededicating it as a family winter festival starting this year. That feels better to me. I've probably become a bit superstitious. ;-) In the meantime, inspired by you again, I've gotten rid of a lot of decorative ballast and... it feels good! Thanks.
Good tip about the smaller rugs....I had totally forgotten about it. ❤
I love your Mom’s rug cleaning technique. So smart!
Happy New Year Benita. Always enjoy your esthetic. Thank you for sharing it all with us.
Happy new year to you too!💫
I use my Christmas cards I received as next years gift tags, use the lovely front festive scene that hasn’t been written on, take a pair of crimping scissors around it, place a hole at the top with your hole punch and wham it’s ready for next year 🎁🎅🏻😁
Several of you had similar ideas. Cute!
Done this forever!
I totally agree. Come Boxing Day I’m ready to pack away the Christmas decorations and prepare for our summer holidays. I love the decorations up until then and don’t really know why it changes so suddenly. I loved the video. I even found myself smiling through out. It’s the 27th here in New Zealand time for the decorations to come down. Seasons greetings and Happy New Year Benita x
I’m always happy to start a new season!
Thank you for the tip to give your plants a shower, I never would have thought of that. Will do that today 😊
Smaller ones go under the faucet in the kitchen but for bigger plants the shower works great!
You make so much sense. Thank you for your inspiration. I love your little sayings that you throw in, like “oh well, silver lining,”
Thanks so much for watching!
What a beautiful video. You are so inspiring ❤
Thank you, I'm so glad you enjoyed it!
Cara Benita, ogni tuo video è veramente magico e ispira voglia di decluttering, grazie come sempre
Dear Benita! Glad to see your new video is on🤩 in Germany we keep our Christmas decorations till January, 6th…. For me it’s ok, but then afterwards it’s a good feeling to freshen up the house! Like your tip regarding the rug cleaning, unfortunately in our region there is not enough snow😞 so, I wish you a happy new year ! See you again soon! Lots of love from Iris from southwest Germany 👋🫶🌟
Thanks so much for watching again!
@@BenitaLarsson 🤗🫶
A friend gave me the idea to cut up holiday cards and use them as gift tags the following year. Some are so beautiful that they really add to a simple gift wrapping.
A few have shared similar ideas. Great for nice cards!
Thank you Benita for great video! 💕I wish you Healthy and Happy New Year.
Thanks so much for watching! And happy new year!💫
Very interesting about cleaning your rugs in the snow, I've never heard of that. I"m going to take down my decor tomorrow, but I will leave up my white lights and maybe switch around some items from my house to create some new looks. Trying to keep things light and cheery to get through the next few Winter months.
I found this video so calming to watch I find it so satisfying to take the Christmas decorations down.
Dang, but not today.
So glad you enjoyed it!
Keep yours up for as long as you want!
Cleaning rugs in snow--what?!! Astonishing news from up north.😯 Thanks for the mid-winter boost. Such lovely, hopeful tulips!
Fascinated by the snow cleaning method. Thank you!
I have a selenite lamp in my kitchen, it gives so much warmth & lovely energy, I feel like you could have one instead of your peg lamp.
my sister visited over Christmas & said how much heart & soul it gave out- your home would love it ✨
Thanks but I enjoy my Peg light.
I went through my Christmas decorations before putting some of display and gave away a few items and again after the new year, I will go through them to downsize even more. I love to wash the blankets and rugs to start the new year fresh!
I am changing the way I eat. Would you consider sharing what you eat? I want to cook less and reduce my focus on food!
I’m not into food so I prefer to not share much of what I eat.
I take Christmas decor down bit by bit, leaving the tree until after New Year. I clean my house every Wednesday, so I will put the tree away on 3 January this year. I have a friend who makes the most beautiful Christmas cards, so I save them from each year and display them. Everything except the tree fits into two small boxes stored on a shelf in my wardrobe. Thank you for this thoughtful video.
Thanks so much for watching and sharing!
Very therapeutic..is your voice. And Thank you for all your storage tips and decluttering...I am just catching up on your videos....
I didn't do anything for Christmas ..... I lost my Husband first week of December... I am so lost ...and heartbroken 💔.... X
Sorry for your loss 🤗
@@rhondatapp7722 thank you xx
I'm so sorry for your loss!❤️
@@BenitaLarsson thank you x
In Spain it is tradition to put up Christmas decorations on December 8 and take them down on January 7.
Happy New Year 🥂
Happy new year!💫
I put up fewer decorations every year. It’s too cluttered for me.
Christmas can easily get cluttery!
Wow, I have never heard of snow-cleaning a rug!
Lovely suggestions. I too take down my Christmas decorations on December 25th, my parents kept theirs up until January 8th each year. But for me 3 weeks is long enough. I took my down today and also put a lovely vase of pale yellow Astromelia flowers. I just put up minimal decorations and I also donated some that I had purchased in England to friends, who were quite happy to receive these decorations. I am happy not going overboard. Love the idea of doing what you did to your area rugs on the balcony. We don’t have any snow this year, just rain, but I do place them outside and swept them and air my area rugs, as you do. All the best to you and your family in 2024 from a long time subscriber from Canada.
Thanks for following along and Happy new year!
Great video again Benita. I used to decorate a week before Christmas and leave them up until epiphany but in recent years I decorate at the beginning of December. So, it's 27th today and I'm feeling twitchy and want to get on with resetting the house and packing away Christmas. Wishing you a very happy and healthy 2024.
I wish you the same!💫
I am very quick to put any Christmas decorations away soon after the holiday. I love the idea of marking the new season with a lovely fresh bouquet.
My husband and I will take the tree down on Christmas night 🤣 we are so over it as well. It just makes our apartment look so cluttered.
That fresh feeling after everything’s come down is 🙌🏻
Take my decorations down traditionally on 6th jan, we do 12 days before & 12 days after Xmas but i have started to take them down earlier probably 1st or 2nd jan xxx
As a recent convert to your videos, I love the easy, tranquil feel they give me. Look fwd to more of the same in 2024! Thank you ❤
Welcome to my channel and thanks so much for watching!
I put toilet roll tubes on the rolls of wrapping paper, keeps them tidy.
Happy New Year 🎉❤🎉
I especially like the flowers to mark the end of the season❤ Every best wish for you, Benita, for 2024 ❤
Best wishes for the new year!
Here in the uk its customary to take the decorations down on the epiphany. Why did i assume it would be the same across Europe??
I love the use of snow for cleaning rugs. That is new to me but I will try it!
Enjoy your fresh rugs!
Thank you, Benita; it was a pleasant watch, as usual!
I don't have many ornaments/lights, etc., since I prefer to decorate with natural pieces - I have a live tree and its branches in a couple of vases. Then, I add some red and white ornaments and the lush red poinsettia, and that's enough to create a festive vibe.
Two years ago, I decided to stop giving/sending Christmas cards and prefer not to get them, though I still get some. Still, those are from people I love to get and keep.
This year, I decluttered in early December and donated some beautiful stuff that wasn't used for 2-3 years, so I gave it up. The next decluttering will go on when I take my decor down, which probably will be on January 6.
I wish you a Happy New Year and good luck with the summer house!
Everything sparkling and shinny as always…..love that you put the rug in the snow, great idea…here we could only put it in the rain……….Happy New Year………Donna in Toronto