Holiday Overwhelm: EditingToys & Decor
My top tips to control the holiday chaos as moms. Edit holiday decor and toys before the season hits.
This month, I’m talking all things that can be overwhelming for families this season (and mostly moms). The back to school craziness has settled into a routine, but now you are swept into making the holidays magical and possibly traveling and balancing so many family and friends obligations. What may have been your favorite time of year pre-kids, is possibly your most stressed time of year (or is that just me?).
The holidays tend to bring SO MUCH STUFF into our lives. Whether it’s just the bins and bins of holiday decor, or all the little gifts for and from family and friends. If you have young kids, you are soon to be inundated with too many toys than you can keep track of. It’s overwhelming, to say the least.
Here are my top tips to control the chaos (as best you can):
Declutter holiday decor AS YOU DECORATE, not when you pack it all away. Thrift stores can sell your unwanted holiday decor NOW, not in January. So, if when you decorate, stuff is left behind (and probably has been for years), let go of it now. You will be too tired to do so in January anyways. Someone else will be happy to display that 30-year-old Santa your grandmother gave you that you hate, but continue to hold onto, taking up precious storage space.
Notice if you get overstimulated by too much decoration. It can be visual clutter for us in our own homes, so don’t feel bad if you feel you need simplified holiday decor. You are not ruining your kid’s experience by pairing down. It’s probably overstimulating for them, too.
Say no to events or things that will add to the stress. Do one or two things less this season than you planned. If Elf on the Shelf causes too much stress for you, skip that tradition or simplify it. While I enjoyed the creatively of Elf on the Shelf, I’ve realized its just ONE MORE THING TO DO when I am too busy already. We are also not going to race to every holiday lights themed event in the county. Your kids want happy, present parents more than they want a tradition that causes you stress.
Declutter old toys NOW, not after the holidays. Your kids will find it easier to let go of toys they don’t use if they know they are “making room for new toys from Santa”. See my recent instagram posts for more on these tips @theorganizedmommyco.
As you shop for gifts for your kids, look for open-ended toys that will last a long time and keep your kids’ engaged in independent play.
Check back after the holidays for a newsletter on everything toy rotation - one of my favorite systems to set up for families.
Tips & Tricks for an Organized Playroom
Toys Stressing You Out?
Decluttering toys and playrooms can be a daunting task, but with a little planning and organization, it can be a breeze. Here is a checklist to help you get started:
Set aside a specific time to declutter: Choose a time when you have a few solid hours to dedicate to decluttering. Make sure to schedule it so that you're not rushed or interrupted.
Get organized: Gather bins, baskets or bags to sort toys into three categories: keep, donate and trash. Label each container so you can easily tell them apart.
Start with a clean slate: Empty the entire room of all toys, games and playthings. This will give you a fresh start and help you see what you're working with.
Sort through each toy: Take each toy and ask yourself whether it is still being played with or if it has been outgrown. If it's broken, missing pieces or no longer age-appropriate, put it in the donate or trash pile.
Assess your storage space: Decide where and how you'll store the toys you're keeping. Consider using shelves, baskets, or clear plastic containers to keep everything organized and easily accessible.
Put everything back in its place: Once you've sorted through everything, put the keep toys back in the room in an organized fashion. Make sure everything has a designated place so that it can be easily found and put away.
Make a plan to maintain the space: Now that your playroom is decluttered and organized, make a plan to keep it that way. Sometimes labels can help with this. If your kids don’t read yet, try photos of the toy category instead. Encourage your kids to put toys away after playing with them, and schedule regular decluttering sessions to keep things from getting out of control.
By following these simple steps, you can create a clutter-free playroom that will be a joy for your kids to play in.