Last year, in the weeks leading up to Christmas, I found myself bouncing from thrift store to thrift store on a mission. I was on the hunt for Hot Wheels accessories—tracks, garages, anything to add to my son’s growing collection.
I’m all for making my kids’ Christmas dreams come true, but I draw the line at blowing our entire holiday budget on one plastic monstrosity. (Especially when it’s one that may be relegated to the back of a closet by February.) So, I began my secondhand search.
I’d seen those toy garages before—lined up on thrift store shelves like trophies waiting to be discovered. I thought finding one would be simple. Boy, was I wrong. The bins were empty. The toy aisles, usually overflowing, were bare.
Eventually, I struck up a conversation with an employee about my plight. She smiled and offered some insight that stuck with me all year.
“This time of year is tough,” she said. “Everyone’s busy shopping, traveling, or just getting ready for the holidays. People don’t have time to declutter or donate. But right after Christmas—when everyone’s gotten new stuff—donations flood in. By then, no one’s shopping anymore because they’ve all got too much.”
She went on to tell me that seeing that pattern firsthand changed how she approached the holidays. Now, she declutters in November instead of January. “I never thought about it until I worked here,” she told me. “I wish more people would go through their stuff before December—especially toys. It would help a lot of families.”
She was right.
We get caught up in the whirlwind of gift-buying, decorating, baking, and traveling—but we rarely think about clearing out before the holidays. Most of us declutter after—when we’re knee-deep in new toys, clothes, and kitchen gadgets.
So this year, I’m doing things differently. I’m starting my clean-out now, while the weather’s crisp but before the full holiday chaos kicks in. That way, our unused things are already on shelves or in the online marketplace just as others are looking for them.
I’ve been talking to my kids about it, too. We’re learning that making space now helps other families who might be shopping secondhand for holiday gifts. It’s also helping me feel lighter and calmer heading into the season—always a plus.
And it’s practical. When kids sort through toys or clothes before the holidays, they rediscover forgotten favorites and get a clearer sense of what they actually want or need. It also means less overwhelm when wrapping paper settles and new things need places to live.
If decluttering feels daunting, here are a few mindset shifts that have helped our family:
- Think about who your items might serve. That toy your child has outgrown could light up another kid’s Christmas morning. That coat that no longer fits could make someone else’s winter warmer. It’s easier to let go when you imagine your items helping someone else.
- Remind kids that toys are tools. I tell my boys this all the time: toys are tools for play. If something isn’t helping them play, get creative, or learn through play, it’s time to pass it along.
- Donating isn’t the only option. You can list items online at places like Facebook Marketplace and eBay, or sell them at a kids’ resale shop. Selling gently used items can fund your holiday giving or offset the cost of gifts for your family. I do this every year—it’s a win-win.
And here’s another reason to declutter before the holidays instead of after: research shows clutter increases stress. A UCLA study found that people who described their homes as “cluttered” had higher levels of cortisol, the body’s main stress hormone. The holidays are already stressful—why not make them a little easier by creating calm before the chaos?
This year, that calm feels extra important. With continued uncertainty around the government shutdown and higher costs all around, many families are tightening budgets. Donating and shopping secondhand aren’t just thrifty—they’re kind, savvy, and resourceful. They help our community take care of one another.
So, before the holiday hustle descends, carve out a little time to sort through some things. Drop off some donations. List a few items online. Clear a little space in your home—and your head.
It’s a simple act that sets everyone up for success: you, your family, and the next person who walks into a thrift shop hoping to find the perfect gift.
A calm, uncluttered home won’t make the holidays perfect—but it might make them a little brighter. For you. And for someone else, too.
For more encouragement and ideas for loving life in North Dakota, visit amyallender.com or find me on Facebook and Instagram @HeyMinot.
