Great idea! Unfortunately I have so much wrapping paper, gift bags & tissue paper that was purchased end of season that I won't have to buy another roll until the end of my lifetime 😂. I guess it's time to go through them once again.
This year I'm using the new year as an excuse to finish up important stuff I've been meaning to do for a long time: getting my financials sorted, house decluttered(and actually out of the house) and finally hire a plumber.
The cackle that ERUPTED out of my at first sight of that skeleton...🤣 It also reaffirms to me that my one true goal for 2025 is to acquire one of those 12 foot tall skeletons for the front of my house and decorate it for every holiday.
Originally it was"be kind...rewind" for videotapes that you rented :) Another great video from my new favorite channel. Thanks for the call to sanity!! :)
OMG I agree! I am so over ‘it’s the new year’ let’s get it done now & go into the year on a better foot not wait till ‘the new year’. I’m going another cull through the house because no matter what we just keep accumulating crap! 5 kids, different ages & we moved so I am still figuring out this space. Love following your journey.
I'm moving into my own flat in the New Year (getting my keys on January 10th) so it's basically been both the perfect and worst time to declutter for me 😅
I’m so scattered that I literally forget what my goals were from the beginning of any given year until I run across a random piece of paper or a page in a pad of paper that I wrote them on. 🤪
Remember how, when you would go Christmas shopping in department stores, the sales clerk would ask if you wanted a gift box for that shirt? My mother always saved those boxes! In 2019 my sister and I were helping to clear out our parents' basement because they were preparing to move to an apartment. We all had a good laugh when we found gift boxes stamped with the Gimbels logo - they were from, at the latest, Christmas 1986!
Excellent advice and spot on! Each year I do less and less. I never did "decorate" the whole house - just the room with the tree. Finally, after many years, I donated the "big" tree several years ago and replaced it with a small tree that can sit on a table. It's already prewired with lights. I don't even put ornaments on it. Not sure if I will bring it out for this year. The other week I did buy 3 plain wreaths for the 2 front windows and the front door. I like my home to feel calm when visitors drop by for a cup of tea and a plate of freshly made scones. (I did buy a new table cloth.) Wishing you and your family Happy Holidays and all the best in the New Year! 🎄
I had the very same thought of replacing my 6 ft tree with a smaller one for ease of storage 😊. Unfortunately, at this point I can't justify getting rid of a perfectly good tree 😂. Maybe some day when my tree gets all beat up & needs replacing 😊.
Im ready and prepped to start my first go around of the KonMari method Dec 1st. Thanks to your blog and videos, i finally have all my notes and thoughts together, plan of attack in place, supports set up and sheets formated for tracking. Im so ready and confident, even if i get derailed or demotivated i know how to get back on track.
I’m single & live alone & put loads of lights & decorations up around my house, including Father Christmas loo seat covers. Even tho it takes a lot of work it’s still worth it & it makes my house so Christmassy & cosy. With cards, I keep special ones in archival page protectors in a lever arch file/ring binder. I’d love to have someone to go & see Christmas lights with, like in London but it’s not much fun on your own. I love your trees, especially the tinsel. Do you find that not many people in the US use tinsel these days? To me, tinsel makes a tree look extra special.
Hey a nice wrapping paper tip I haven't tried it but get a very large box and wrap the outside of it. As you unwrap presents everybody can just toss the wrapping paper into the box it looks nice and pictures instead of a trash bag... And it also limits the sea of wrapping paper. 😊 We usually just use garbage bags my husband is pretty on top of opening presents and then throwing out the wrapping paper right afterwards. He keeps us in line. 😂
What a lovely idea. My family use to have a garbage bag on hand for the wrapping paper. Now days, the adults in my family don't trade gifts anymore as we all have everything we need or can buy ourselves. Only the children receive gifts 😊. For my family, the holidays now is about spending time with each other & catching up 😊.
Omg you’ve been in my house again and no I still haven’t decluttered a single card from this house or from home. I have them all. 🤭🤣 I’ve attach too much emotion to things 🤷♀️ Thanks as always for all the tips and advice. Have a great week. Mary, Joes wife 🙇♀️👏👍💪🙏💐🐕🦺
Ornaments are my favorite Christmas decorations, and gifts. it makes me think of friends and family members of my childhood. Give my siblings had her on box of ornaments or boxes. And when we move it out they came with us. My kids each have their own ornaments in that will go with them when they leave the nest. And then they will have ornaments to put on their own tree it's always great to see my kids hanging childhood ornaments of mine the little Barbies and photo ones when I was the same age as them.
I wish Thanksgiving was in January I stead of November. After seeing how Europeans start celwbrating and preparing for Christmas starting right after Halloween it just makes sense. You get an entire month to prepare whereas in America we must first prepare for Thanksgiving and then right away all the Christmas stuff MUST BE PACKED INTO ABOUT 3 WEEKS! Plus if Thanksgiving were in January it would give us something to look forward to during that incredibly cold and boring month lol. I just want to get in the Christmas mood and not feel like I'm running around like a chicken with my head cut off. It's no wonder I get a cold sore or very sick come January 1st. I'm worn out!
I’m sorry, I love the idea of decluttering and all that, but I absolutely despise electronic Christmas cards. Please, either send a real paper card or just forget it. The electronic form is just so impersonal. It ranks behind the Shutterfly type impersonal. I made this on my computer and printed out 100 of them with just signatures cards that everyone sends.
I wasn’t suggesting you send everyone a digital card, just to consider it for people from your distant past. Also, not everyone despises them. I’ve received really lovely cards via email with beautiful images and a thoughtful message. Sometimes an email, with photos and/or updates, is even more personal than just sending a physical card.
I've been avoiding your videos recently Laura...Definitely not because of you, its an act of self sabotage on my part like "If I dont watch any decluttering content, I can pretend it doesn't apply to me" 🫠 But its time to face the music. I've got some clutter ingress, not masses, but it's weighing on me and it needs dealing with. 💪
@HowToGYST 100% Slowly, slowly, catchy monkey! I'm pretty minimalist already so most people wouldn't look at my home and think "clutter", but I can just feel the weight of a little too much stuff having come in over the last year. I'll sort it. I listed 2 chairs on Ebay today so I've made a start.
I only buy gold coloured wrapping paper. It does every occasion a gift is required & I don't have to store multiple rolls. A freedom feeling!!
I've started doing something similar, buying paper (if I need it) that can be used for any occasion.
Hi from N. Ireland 😊
Great idea! Unfortunately I have so much wrapping paper, gift bags & tissue paper that was purchased end of season that I won't have to buy another roll until the end of my lifetime 😂. I guess it's time to go through them once again.
Be kind rewind. ❤ Love the new take. Blockbuster would be proud.
This year I'm using the new year as an excuse to finish up important stuff I've been meaning to do for a long time: getting my financials sorted, house decluttered(and actually out of the house) and finally hire a plumber.
A really great time to tie up loose ends.
The cackle that ERUPTED out of my at first sight of that skeleton...🤣 It also reaffirms to me that my one true goal for 2025 is to acquire one of those 12 foot tall skeletons for the front of my house and decorate it for every holiday.
Originally it was"be kind...rewind" for videotapes that you rented :) Another great video from my new favorite channel. Thanks for the call to sanity!! :)
Bonus points for you! ⭐️
OMG I agree! I am so over ‘it’s the new year’ let’s get it done now & go into the year on a better foot not wait till ‘the new year’. I’m going another cull through the house because no matter what we just keep accumulating crap! 5 kids, different ages & we moved so I am still figuring out this space. Love following your journey.
I'm moving into my own flat in the New Year (getting my keys on January 10th) so it's basically been both the perfect and worst time to declutter for me 😅
How exciting!!!
You starting this video next to a scarf-bedecked skeleton is my favorite part of the holiday season so far 😀!
Jack likes to be the star of the show. 😂
I’m so scattered that I literally forget what my goals were from the beginning of any given year until I run across a random piece of paper or a page in a pad of paper that I wrote them on. 🤪
😂 Been there! Or coming across them a few years later and being like, "Oh, I still didn't do that". Oops! 😅
Remember how, when you would go Christmas shopping in department stores, the sales clerk would ask if you wanted a gift box for that shirt? My mother always saved those boxes! In 2019 my sister and I were helping to clear out our parents' basement because they were preparing to move to an apartment. We all had a good laugh when we found gift boxes stamped with the Gimbels logo - they were from, at the latest, Christmas 1986!
Excellent advice and spot on! Each year I do less and less. I never did "decorate" the whole house - just the room with the tree. Finally, after many years, I donated the "big" tree several years ago and replaced it with a small tree that can sit on a table. It's already prewired with lights. I don't even put ornaments on it. Not sure if I will bring it out for this year. The other week I did buy 3 plain wreaths for the 2 front windows and the front door. I like my home to feel calm when visitors drop by for a cup of tea and a plate of freshly made scones. (I did buy a new table cloth.) Wishing you and your family Happy Holidays and all the best in the New Year! 🎄
I had the very same thought of replacing my 6 ft tree with a smaller one for ease of storage 😊. Unfortunately, at this point I can't justify getting rid of a perfectly good tree 😂. Maybe some day when my tree gets all beat up & needs replacing 😊.
Im ready and prepped to start my first go around of the KonMari method Dec 1st.
Thanks to your blog and videos, i finally have all my notes and thoughts together, plan of attack in place, supports set up and sheets formated for tracking. Im so ready and confident, even if i get derailed or demotivated i know how to get back on track.
In Australia, the 26th of December, we have Boxing Day. It's the day people used to box up unwanted Christmas gifts and give them to charity.
Ah, I always wondered where the name came from! Love it. 😁
We have Boxing Day in the UK too. Great day for relaxing & eating leftovers, including Branston pickle.
Awww Jack! ❤😊 Always a good sport he is. Looking festive!
I’m single & live alone & put loads of lights & decorations up around my house, including Father Christmas loo seat covers. Even tho it takes a lot of work it’s still worth it & it makes my house so Christmassy & cosy.
With cards, I keep special ones in archival page protectors in a lever arch file/ring binder.
I’d love to have someone to go & see Christmas lights with, like in London but it’s not much fun on your own.
I love your trees, especially the tinsel. Do you find that not many people in the US use tinsel these days? To me, tinsel makes a tree look extra special.
Pre-Christmas declutter! Love this idea, Lara!
Get out all the old stuff before a bunch of new stuff comes in. 🫣😅
I used to joke that I have a lifetime supply of gift bags and tissue but I don't really give too many gifts so it might become a generational supply!
Same with me 😂.
your tree is excellent !
Hey a nice wrapping paper tip I haven't tried it but get a very large box and wrap the outside of it. As you unwrap presents everybody can just toss the wrapping paper into the box it looks nice and pictures instead of a trash bag... And it also limits the sea of wrapping paper. 😊 We usually just use garbage bags my husband is pretty on top of opening presents and then throwing out the wrapping paper right afterwards. He keeps us in line. 😂
What a lovely idea. My family use to have a garbage bag on hand for the wrapping paper. Now days, the adults in my family don't trade gifts anymore as we all have everything we need or can buy ourselves. Only the children receive gifts 😊. For my family, the holidays now is about spending time with each other & catching up 😊.
Great to see Jack as your side kick 😊
He stays in my office now, as my supervisor. 😂
Another great video Laura - thank you. Simplifying life, particularly over the festive season, just makes all the difference 🤩
Omg you’ve been in my house again and no I still haven’t decluttered a single card from this house or from home. I have them all. 🤭🤣 I’ve attach too much emotion to things 🤷♀️ Thanks as always for all the tips and advice. Have a great week. Mary, Joes wife 🙇♀️👏👍💪🙏💐🐕🦺
Just on my way to drop of 3 big bags at the charity shop!
WUHOO!
Yay!
Be kind, rewind! Bonus round for me! And I STILL have my old Nokia and Blackberry phones
I still have my old Nokia too. 😁
Love your sweater Merry Christmas you filthy animal😂😂😂😂
A classic. 😂
Be Kind, Rewind.
Long live the video store!
Ornaments are my favorite Christmas decorations, and gifts. it makes me think of friends and family members of my childhood. Give my siblings had her on box of ornaments or boxes. And when we move it out they came with us. My kids each have their own ornaments in that will go with them when they leave the nest. And then they will have ornaments to put on their own tree it's always great to see my kids hanging childhood ornaments of mine the little Barbies and photo ones when I was the same age as them.
Thanks for the video! We have the same star on our tree! I do an adult Frozen theme.
*nods*. Good thoughts. 😃👍
I asked everyone in my household what traditions and foods they look forward to at Christmas time. We will ditch anything nobody cares about.
Excellent idea! No point holding onto things just because they're "tradition" if no-one actually likes them.
I wish Thanksgiving was in January I stead of November. After seeing how Europeans start celwbrating and preparing for Christmas starting right after Halloween it just makes sense. You get an entire month to prepare whereas in America we must first prepare for Thanksgiving and then right away all the Christmas stuff MUST BE PACKED INTO ABOUT 3 WEEKS! Plus if Thanksgiving were in January it would give us something to look forward to during that incredibly cold and boring month lol. I just want to get in the Christmas mood and not feel like I'm running around like a chicken with my head cut off. It's no wonder I get a cold sore or very sick come January 1st. I'm worn out!
Be kind, rewind.
Be kind rewind...wasn't that a Blockbuster jingle?
Take some
Of the holiday gift bags to donate when you drop off excess Christmas decorations. You can use the larger bags as a donation bag.
Perfect!
I’m sorry, I love the idea of decluttering and all that, but I absolutely despise electronic Christmas cards. Please, either send a real paper card or just forget it. The electronic form is just so impersonal. It ranks behind the Shutterfly type impersonal. I made this on my computer and printed out 100 of them with just signatures cards that everyone sends.
That's how many store-bought cards are too, though. Buy a box of 50 or whatever. Sign them. Mail them. Not personal at all.
I wasn’t suggesting you send everyone a digital card, just to consider it for people from your distant past. Also, not everyone despises them. I’ve received really lovely cards via email with beautiful images and a thoughtful message. Sometimes an email, with photos and/or updates, is even more personal than just sending a physical card.
Only impersonal if you make no effort at all to match the card to the recipient?
I love digital cards. I don’t need a physical one to know that someone thought of me.
Hi
I've been avoiding your videos recently Laura...Definitely not because of you, its an act of self sabotage on my part like "If I dont watch any decluttering content, I can pretend it doesn't apply to me" 🫠 But its time to face the music. I've got some clutter ingress, not masses, but it's weighing on me and it needs dealing with. 💪
Baby steps. You'll be so proud of yourself when you're done, or even making progress. And imagine the weight that will be lifted from your shoulders!
@HowToGYST 100% Slowly, slowly, catchy monkey! I'm pretty minimalist already so most people wouldn't look at my home and think "clutter", but I can just feel the weight of a little too much stuff having come in over the last year. I'll sort it. I listed 2 chairs on Ebay today so I've made a start.
Yes, we each have our own thresholds. And even those can change over time. What was acceptable to me years ago is not acceptable to me now.