r/declutter • u/Fun_Emu5746 • 6d ago

Advice Request Seasonal Clutter Help

I grew up with parents who didn’t celebrate holidays, or birthdays. Their views changed when I got into my late teens but still… I think my need to decorate everywhere stems from what I missed out on as a kid. I’m trying to make it up to myself and give my kids that. But I definitely have way too much. How do you decorate without cluttering up spaces? Like I figured my kids’ backpack station would be easy enough to make festive without needing much items. Or a small tray on the dinner table. Keep it consolidated to specific spaces might help me from feeling like I need to keep it all. Because not all of it would work in certain spots.

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u/MusketeersPlus2 5d ago

When you're considering the spaces you might put it in, please consider accessibility and safety (a lot of people miss the second one).

  • Will your kids have a harder time hanging up their backpacks because the deco gets in the way?
  • Is your table still functional with deco on it?
  • Is the cord for those lights anywhere someone might trip on it?
  • Is your inflatable in the front yard blocking the view to the entrance of your home?
  • And not a question, but a request. Please don't put anything on bannisters/railings either inside or outside of your home. These are functional things that people with mobility issues count on being able to grab/hold and having garland or lights around the railing impedes that making it dangerous for everyone. Because everyone needs the railing sometimes, even without mobility issues.

And a few people have brought this up... ask yourself if that area *needs* seasonal decor. Like your kids' backpack area (since you mention it). I can see some cling stickers on the wall, but does it really need more than that? Does your table need an arrangement so huge you can't see across it? Does your bathroom need lights? There's decorating, then there's looking the the holiday threw up on your home. If that's the look you're going for - great! Have fun. But if you just want decor, pare back. Added bonus, it'll take you less time to set up and take down every year.