As Halloween crept closer, I noticed more and more people talking about Christmas and the holidays, and how soon they would be here. And honestly, it freaked me out. I LOVE Christmas, but all of the holiday-related responsibilities that are added to my plate on top of my family, work, running this blog, etc., can really take their toll. Being completely transparent, there have been recent years where I’ve barely enjoyed Christmas because I’ve been so stressed out. 
I know I’m not alone!
The holidays seem to get here faster every year, and the demands on our time only seem to grow. Because of that, I took some time to think about what is really important during the holiday season and how I can maximize the time leading up to Christmas to make sure that I have a stress-free holiday. I realized that by breaking all of the holiday-related tasks into manageable “chunks” to be done over a reasonable period of time, things become much less overwhelming.
It’s all about more merry, less stress!
With that in mind, and knowing that there are so many of us feeling anxious about the holidays instead of excited, I have put together a series of posts that will focus on one manageable holiday-related task each week for the next seven weeks. 
This stress-free holiday action plan will have you feeling in control of holiday chaos and leave you feeling merry and fulfilled when Christmas week rolls around. Each week will delve into more detail, but here’s the general overview of what you can expect:
- Week 1: Clear It Out (you are here now!)
- Week 2: Spreadsheets, Lists, or Apps – Oh My! (CLICK HERE to view this post)
- Week 3: Picture This
- Week 4: Simplify the Decorating
- Week 5: Gettin’ Crafty With It
- Week 6: Wait a Minute, Mr. Postman
- Week 7: Shake, Rattle and Roll
Hmmm my “clever” titles might not give you an exact picture of each week, but at least you know I have a plan for you!
So, now that I’ve written the longest intro ever in the history of this blog, let’s get to the FIRST action in our More Merry, Less Stress Holiday Action Plan:
CLEAR IT OUT!
This task is going to add a little bit of work to your already-full plate, but it will be worth it in the long run. What you need to do this week is get rid of the STUFF that is filling your house. Stuff that: (a) you no longer want; (b) no longer need; (c) have outgrown; (d) are hanging on to out of guilt; and/or (e) has started blending in with the surroundings because you never, ever use it. You catch my drift! 
Clear it out so you have more room for the people, food, gifts, and more that will be filling your home this holiday season!
I have started in my kids’ basement playroom. They are absolute pack rats, but I’m selling and donating toys that they’ve outgrown in order to make room for new toys that Santa surely will bring. 
Bonus: selling some of the “big ticket items” of theirs like the play kitchen and toy work bench is giving me extra cash for gifts.
Also on my purge list is winter coats that are causing our small coat closet to hardly close, warm clothes that don’t fit or aren’t quite our style anymore, and other “treasures” I’ve been keeping in our basement storage closet.
Donating these types of things helps others in need, and also helps with gift ideas for family members: it gives me a better picture of things they need!
Take 15 – 20 minutes each day and fill a bag or two with things to sell or donate. These small chunks of time will make this task less daunting, and by the end of the week, you’ll have made lots of room for everything else that will come into your home over the holidays!
With this, you’ll be on your way to feeling more in control of your holiday season! Please make sure to check back next week for the second part of the More Merry, Less Stress Holiday Action Plan. And, let me know in the comments what stresses you out most at the holidays!
-Bre
Visit the Other Posts in this Series Here (posts will be updated as the series progresses)
You Might Also Like This DIY Christmas Gifts Post
Denise Morris says
Thank you, Bre! I knew there was a good reason I subscribed to your blog. Not having a plan is what stresses me out the most during the holidays. There’s already too much to do, so it’s difficult to make time to get ready for the holidays. I will certainly be looking forward to your weekly tips and will try to stay on task.
Bre says
Hi, Denise. Thank you so much!! I think having a plan is KEY! That’s what I’m hoping for at least. 🙂 WE can do it! 🙂
Ishtar says
Of course, your kids are packrats if you’re ‘secretly’ selling or donating their stuff.
Wouldn’t you be irrationally attached to your stuff if it kept randomly disappearing/being stolen? Especially if you never needed to learn the good habit of getting rid of stuff that doesn’t serve a purpose anymore, because, hey, that stuff just magically disappears.
It’s much better to explain to children that, in order to make room for new gifts, old things they no longer want/need have to go to make room. That way you teach them to organize their space. You teach them the value of things, and how you don’t need to hold on to everything you own forever. You teach them responsibility for cleaning up and organizing their stuff.
You teach them about donating and charity, helping out those less fortunate, who might have a better use/more need for the stuff than they do.
Stealing their stuff behind their back does nothing besides teaching them to be irrationally attached to stuff, because it could just go missing at any time, and THEY never learn to make the decision to get part with things.
It might be easier for you in the short run, but you’ll end up with dysfunction in the long run,
Bre says
Hi, Ishtar! Thanks for your perspective. You’re 100% right that children need to learn the importance of giving to others and letting things go. I apologize for giving the misimpression that I’m stealing toys from my children and advocating that others do the same. That wasn’t my intent at all and you give good food for thought.
Elizabeth says
Wow. Ishtar needs a good dose of holiday spirit and some extra help managing stress. 😉 Isn’t is always sooo helpful when perfect parents let you know how perfect they are?!? B—great post as always!! These are great tips and I can’t wait to make my season a little more merry!! xo ❤️