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Original poster

Carrier bag a day till Christmas challenge anyone?

196 replies

doublechocchip · 23/11/2015 22:42

Trying to de-clutter everywhere before Christmas comes. Wondered if anyone wanted to join this carrier bag challenge?
Whether it be clothes or toys passed on/donated/sold/binned or indeed any other household stuff you want to get rid of, I thought filling one carrier bag a day seems more achievable than trying to tackle a whole room at once!

A bin bag of stuff counts for 3 carrier bags Grin

Got rid of a bag of kids clothes to the charity shop today and got a load of cuddly toys waiting to go into school tomorrow for the school fair. Feel lighter already!

OP posts:
PigeonPie · 13/12/2015 11:49

Well done everyone Smile

Shiraz - pulling up carpets definitely counts because you're bound to find stuff which can go as you clear the rooms for the new carpets. Hope the rest of the family starts improving soon.

Today, I've emptied a couple of the cupboards in the futility room, cleaned them, lined the shelves with paper and put back only what was needed. Next is the 'cleaning cupboard' which is probably going to be a bit more of a challenge!

CiderwithBuda · 13/12/2015 13:30

Guess what I found in the dining room???

The table! It was clear for at least half an hour. Then we got the Xmas decorations down. It's now full of crap again. As is the kitchen table.

Today's plan is to finish putting up most of the Xmas decorations. Then I need to clear off the kitchen table as I need to empty out the dresser to be moved as the dining area is being painted tomorrow. That will definitely mean serious decluttering.

I'm also going to be ruthless with Xmas stuff we don't use. Once dining area is painted and put back together on Tuesday I will figure out what can go and take the surplus to the charity shop.

I also need to sell a desk. Really want to keep it but just don't have a place for it.

PigeonPie · 13/12/2015 16:24

Well done Cider. Our dining table now has just a few bits which need to find other homes (excluding the fruit bowl which lives there), but it does feel that sometimes we move things from pillar to post depending on whether we're using the kitchen or dining table. Got to get it finished by next week.

Good luck with the decorating!

I cleared the two kitchen drawers of doom this afternoon as well as the cleaning cupboard in the futility room and I even vacuumed (it'll probably snow tomorrow!).

NowBringUsSomeFuzzpiggyPudding · 14/12/2015 00:56

Well done! I'm sure I have a dining table somewhere... Xmas Blush

CiderwithBuda · 14/12/2015 07:55

I've lost mine again. And the shoe rack in the hall. Now hidden under a pile of DH's tools and DS's rugby balls and footballs. Can hardly get into the futility room. Feel like I'm chasing my tail at the moment!

Today I need to finish emptying out dresser. Like now. Decorators will be here shortly.
Move dog beds and chairs into my new sitting room that was lovely for about 12 hours. It will be full of crap again today. But only today.
Usual dishwasher emptying, washing, vacuuming etc.
Might have to nip out for paint.
Change DS's bed.
Sort out a few more Xmas decorations.
Hopefully put dining area back together this evening.

TwoAndTwoEqualsChaos · 14/12/2015 18:12

I have an entire room to sort before Friday and a toddler in tow: there is a bank of carrier bags and things, relating to when my depression was untreated. My "stuff" has been having a really negative impact on my marriage and Christmas can't happen in the way we would want unless I deal with it. I am tired and I am a bit worried about how co-operative my DS (2) will be. I need motivation and application. We want to put up the tree next w/e. I want to show DH that things have changed. It is all very well not bringing new stuff into the house but I have still to deal with what is already here. The room the Dining Room! is useable but cluttered around the edges and frustrating for DH who is so much bigger than me and the children.

It is also the last week of term, with all that entails.

CiderwithBuda · 14/12/2015 18:55

TwoAndTwo - don't put yourself under too much pressure to get it all done. Esp with a toddler in tow. Make sure you have something to occupy DS. Tv? Toys? I'm sure whatever you do get done will make you feel better and make it easier to tackle the rest.

Decorators arrived and were done by 1.15. They decluttered a huge amount of dog hair that was under the dresser they painted behind! Blush

I tackle d the futility room and moved lots of stuff that had accumulated there into the garage. Washed some cushion covers that will go to the charity shop. Sorted out the dresser - now have some crockery to go to charity shop too. Stuff I like but never use. Someone else will like it and use it I'm sure.

So charity shop run on list for tomorrow.

TwoAndTwoEqualsChaos · 14/12/2015 20:44

Ah, I need to. [Sad]

Sitoff · 15/12/2015 18:08

Twoandtwo hope you have made progress either with the room or enjoying the end of term festivities. Bags to the second hand shop and recycling to the tip today.

CiderwithBuda · 15/12/2015 18:39

Hope you are doing ok today Two. Did you get anywhere?

I got rid of the crockery I cleared out yesterday to a friend who came over for coffee. However she also brought a big bag of stuff she cleared out of her DD's room for my niece!

Not much else achieved today. Although sortEd through some Xmas stuff that we don't use. Charity shop run tomorrow.

TwoAndTwoEqualsChaos · 15/12/2015 18:45

Today I attended an Attendance Assembly, a Toddlers' Group Christmas Party and a Guitar Concert. I also arranged some of the last presents for family to give my children and assisted the three eldest in the wrapping of about 3 doz fundraising crackers for the PTFA and cleared-up the ensuing mess. We crrated about a carrier's worth of recycling and rubbish from the packaging and three carrier bags of "stuff" has now become three carriers of crackers, but nothing long-term dealt with.

I have three clear days ahead of me ...

Scattymum101 · 15/12/2015 22:26

Kitchen emptied today. Three bin bags chucked and 6 boxes packed. Still so much more to do and still don't even know if we're definitely moving on Friday :-(

CiderwithBuda · 15/12/2015 22:40

Sounds exhausting!

I was thinking I needed a Sainsburys trip tomorrow but had a brainwave and did an online order which will be here tomorrow morning. I never think to do that. So my first job tomorrow is to clear out the fridge. And space in the utility room for drinks. Pretty much did the heavy Xmas shop.

Then I might have a cooking day to get some stuff in the freezer. Or tackle my wardrobe. I'll see how I feel.

Vinorosso74 · 15/12/2015 23:21

Well done everyone still going. I have stalled with trying to get everything sorted for Christmas, catching up with people and needing to get sorted for going away at the weekend.
I'm going to have to continue after Christmas but I feel better knowing I've made a dent in it. I still need to get DP on board to sort his stuff out and help with two understair cupboards.

Scattymum101 · 16/12/2015 08:54

I live by Internet shopping. I could never survive otherwise.

Jobs today.
Post last lot of clothes sold on eBay
Pack bags for the kids to stay at my mums til Sunday
Toy and book cull and pack all surviving toys.
Clean all kitchen cupboards.
Clear out sideboard.

Buy wine Wine

TwoAndTwoEqualsChaos · 16/12/2015 21:57

A small carrier of books to Pre-School. 2 boxes of paper and four lettuce boxes emptied and out for recycling. A bin bag of rubbish and a Dining Room which looks worse then when I started.

MrsHathaway · 16/12/2015 22:36

Two big bags of toiletries, jewellery and chocolates to the women's refuge for Christmas presents (all new; I have been a collection point).

I've also FINISHED wrapping the Christmas presents just have to ribbon etc them which has cleared a huge space in the spare room. SIX cardboard tubes to recycle tomorrow.

Have also started getting said presents out of the house, eg to nursery, pre-school and school teachers. What can't go yet is boxed in an organised fashion.

I go a bit mad with wrapping but it's special to me.

TwoAndTwoEqualsChaos · 16/12/2015 23:56

I have filled a carrier and a bit for my Parents to take away when they visit next week. One of the empty boxes mentioned above is now filled with paper recycling.

CiderwithBuda · 17/12/2015 04:59

Sounds like you are setting there Two. It always seems to look worse at first. Just keep chipping away.

I had a busy day. Cleared out the fridge and made space in utility room for drinks. Still need to clear out a food cupboard and the drawer we keep crisps etc in - it looks full to me to DS keeps opening it, looking in and saying there is nothing to eat Hmm. I let him add some stuff to the Sainsburys shop and I now have loads of stuff to get in said drawer!

I made th Xmas stuffing and the ragu for the lasagna we have on Xmas eve.

Cleaned both ovens. They are self cleaning but need to take the racks out and clean separately. Def need to do more often!

And even managed a bin bag of clothes from my room.

Def need charity shop run tomorrow/today ( woke up with head spinning at all I still need to do for Xmas hence posting at silly o'clock).

TwoAndTwoEqualsChaos · 17/12/2015 16:40

Today I found a mummified baby mouse.

CiderwithBuda · 17/12/2015 17:02

Well that's definitely better out than in Two! Shock

Christmas cards written last night and posted today. Need to do another few but ran out of cards.

Charity shop run done and got rid of clothes from my room bagged yesterday, a large frying pan with lid, four cushions, two candlesticks, some toys and some Christmas stuff we dnot use.

Then I went to HomeSense for a box and ended up buying more Christmas stuff and some crockery. There is no hope for me! The Christmas bits were to go on new fireplace and the crockery is to add to the set we use everyday - a few bits were chipped and I was about to order some from Amazon anyway.

MrsHathaway · 17/12/2015 21:18

More cards and presents out.

About to tackle the bedroom which is full of clean washing and general crap. But first I need to bag up treats so they can exit tomorrow!

(Peppermint creams, chocolate brownie, holly cake and chocolate orange cake)

PigeonPie · 17/12/2015 22:48

Managed to get rid of four bags to the charity shop. Felt I couldn't use my usual one because I've got rid of so much I thought they might not want any more, so the BHF got the donations today!

Unfortunately the dining room is currently in chaos as the washing machine was making some disturbing noises so we had to take the tumble dryer off the top and all the bits which usually live on top of the freezer etc out of the futility room for the mechanic to look at the machine. Turns out that, despite the fact that it's only 2 1/2 years old, they're going to replace it rather than fix it as the bearings are going and he thought the spindle was cracking. The good news is that because I bought it from a local shop, they've got a new one in stock and can deliver it tomorrow (taking away the old one to send back), so at least we should be able to get tidy quite quickly tomorrow afternoon. Still think it's ridiculous that it's better to replace than fix though.

Have made vast quantities of fudge over the last couple of days for presents which are now bagged up and waiting to be taken to school etc tomorrow. I've even started the Christmas Cards! I usually work until 2 on Fridays, but I think I'm going to work a shorter day so I can get back and finish the cards and do a bit of sorting ready for putting up the decorations on Saturday.

TwoAndTwoEqualsChaos · 18/12/2015 00:03

Sitting in a sea of craft stuff after the children finished writing threorder cards and wrapping their gifts for school (hint: small draw string gift bags) and then decorated a box for their party tea at school. Lots more paper recycling. A large bag of bits for my Parents to take but havoc everywhere. Horrible half-way through feeling.

Scattymum101 · 18/12/2015 23:10

My new house is just a sea of boxes. How am I ever going to be unpacked for Christmas argh!!!

I was so organised until people tried to 'help' by throwning thjngs in boxes and ending up with some boxes UNLABELLED Shock