Ah, it’s that time of year again, when you get all the Halloween decorations put away, put up the Thanksgiving decorations, clear out the candy wrappers (there are still a few under the sofa with the dust bunnies!) and make way for the turkey. Whether that means homemade table settings a la Martha Stewart, or just de-spotting the wine glasses and making sure the tableware matches, November means the beginning of the Holiday Season, a time of joy and an influx of stuff.
And if you’re anything like me, you’re dreading the influx of stuff. One of the best gifts you can give yourself this holiday season is to get rid of some unnecessary objects before bringing in the next wave of toys, games, and lovingly-knitted sweaters from Grandma. Consider going through the playroom with your kids and asking them to choose one or two toys that they no longer play with to give away to charities for needy families. Tell them that new toys will be that much sweeter to receive when they’ve done their part to give. Mom and Dad can do this too, getting rid of clothes, shoes, and that much-beloved but never-used set of golf clubs taking up space in the hall closet.