Holiday Downsizing

What's become to regarded as the unofficial last day of summer, Labor Day, was celebrated this past Monday with a 3-day weekend. 

Traditionally, this day is for picnics, family get togethers and getaways. We had considered a road trip, but increasing gas prices, dealing with holiday traffic and last minute vacationeers made us reconsider that plan. Instead, we stayed home, aside from a trip to the supermarket and a walk outdoors. 

It was a good weekend to tackle Christmas holiday downsizing. Believe me, empty containers are a very good thing.

Empty containers are a very good thing

Grenville hauled five of these containers from storage and we spent time sorting through Christmas stuff — this 'n that, stockings & holders, wooden signs, Nativity, tree skirts, lights. One had styrofoam pieces (now discarded) and Buffalo snow (artificial snow) that was used for the holiday village, which will not be set up this year. 

There were too many ornaments, so we kept special ones like those given by family (only one each of grandpa and grandma ornaments needed, not three sets). Also kept were ones bought at craft shows or on travels. 

Progress was made, two containers were emptied and then there were three, not five. 

These three containers will soon become two

The to go items were boxed, loaded into a cart and taken to a large thrift store yesterday — the sooner the better. When donating holiday items it's best not to wait until right before the holidays. That's when thrift stores will be inundated and may not accept giveaways, which could then become toss-aways.

All of this went to a thrift store this week

Sorting will be ongoing. My goal is to reduce storage to two containers before Grenville returns them to storage. It's handy that in the absence of a garage or attic, a storage unit is just down the hall from our apartment. Of course, the goal is to not add more stuff.

In between the holiday downsizing, a mini scarecrows and pumpkins display was set up outside our apartment entry — it too was downsized from previous years.

Your Turn — Do you have too much holiday stuff — if so, any downsizing plans?