The countdown to Christmas - but still decluttering one item a day. Thread number 15

[stealthninjamum]

Thread number 15 of the ‘declutter one item a day thread’ and this bunch of mumsnetters are still decluttering our houses slowly by getting rid of one item a day.

It’s always challenging at Christmas for declutterers, as we fill our house with more presents, food and children’s toys. This thread should give us a bit more accountability as we keep plugging away slowly while we making our homes more organised and decluttered.

Obviously Christmas won’t be the same this year and the stealthninjahousehold won’t be having any visitors but I’m still keen to spend the last couple of weeks making my house a nicer space to spend time in.

Newbies are always welcome. We just get rid of one item each day and report back on the thread.

Previous thread here.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/housekeeping/4053749-Getting-rid-of-one-item-a-day-thread-number-14-where-we-extract-precious-autumn-leaves-rocks-and-twigs-from-our-children?pg=1

@SleepingStandingUp I fell like having a heart attack for you at the sight of those toys.

@stealthninjamum what's your boyfriend like and maybe we can give you some ideas. My H is having a digital radio for the shed, crocs for quickly going back in and out if she'd (bit of a joke thing), a cheap shirt from SHEIN and chocolates. Sober haven't gone mad. He wants a tool box but I've suggested waiting for the sales.

Thanks footprints I tend to do the painting before dc wake up so no music but they do wake to beautiful clean walls. Maybe I'll do some now? This morning I've been present shopping and also looking for brussel sprout recipes!

We had a curry paste the other day and it wasn't very nice. I've got half in a jar still but I might throw it away which is very wasteful but I eat everything and if I don't like something it must be rank.

Thanks footprints I had inspiration in the night and I have ordered a couple of bits but he likes cooking, watching TV, running and swimming. (Doesn't need anything for running or swimming). He's also conscious that he's put on weight with the lockdowns so I don't want to buy him clothes. My main thing is I wanted to buy him an experience of somekind but that's hard with covid closing things down so I am going to make a voucher to give to him.

I've also realised my youngest dd doesn't have a present for her dad. He won't get me anything so I'm not bothered about him but I know she'll be upset that her sister has got him something because she'll be worried about looking bad!

Took batteries to the recycling place. Walked there with the dc.

Green tea has gone so that’s one less thing in the cupboard.

Have also ditched some more toddlers artwork.

Made some biscuits with the dc this afternoon. Managed to use up an entire thing of sprinkles.

We've just spent about an hour creating a personalised Christmas card for a blended family close to us (because we couldn't find an appropriate card) and DP spelt his name wrong at the very end! His name!! He's more annoyed than me so has offered to go out and buy another one. (This will be the 4th card we've bought for them because the previous cards he bought weren't suitable.) At least this means I've got a few minutes to update you all on my outs today - I had another go in the bathroom earlier:

• Another teeth whitening kit (also well past its use by date).
• Strip wax strips used up.
• 1 pair of very worn fluffy socks.

You're all doing so well, I meant to say sandandsea yesterday's list of stationery stuff was very impressive.

Well I haven't managed to get rid of anything and I'm not sure I will today as dd2 wants to have movie night again - same film!

I have had a successful day shopping, which is good because I think non essential shops are now closing in tier 4. I think I have bought presents for everyone - including on dc's behalf - and the ninjaboyfriend although I'm just going to photoshop him a voucher and shove in a box so he has something to open. I only really needed to buy about 4 things but it took forever with queues in the rain. I have spare wine and chocolates in case inlaws get me presents and a food order coming xmas eve so maybe I'll add more chocolate and / or a panatone just in case.

OMG I found something to go. Just when I thought I was going to have a day without getting rid of anything....

Napkins..... At some point in the last 10 years I bought some xmas paper napkins. I can't remember when but they have cute dogs on and holly. Tonight dc's will have Xmas dog napkins with their meal. I may even stick them in one of my posh napkin holders that I only use once a year.

@stealthninjamum living in the uk is experience enough right now isn't it!

Well done for finding a last minute out.

@SandAndSea you are good. I would've just crossed the name out and used it! In fact that happened this week

Day 102:
Out: my sanity at living in these crazy times. The whole of Wales in lockdown. Total shock but trying to be adult about it being one day so who cares. But of course we do care. But trying to grow up!

Other outs:
20 paper instructions booklets.
Photos and emails
H put up some storage solutions so things look better for the zero Christmas visitors.

@SandAndSea can't Moonpig sort it?

So good news on the baby clothes fiasco. I suggested she checked her car. Turns out she's had a rummage and left we bits on the side. DH went to get box and didn't get clothes on the side. Hadn't been in car. So it's all there, she's collected a few bits I HAD missed today and we're all good.

Also sold a maternity skirt and been paid immediately. Will post Monday.

Have brought some bits for the babies stockings - the new bath toys will replace some older ones I'll bin, a toy for their buggy, and yes I do know I posted yesterday they have tons bit Santa couldn't forget them and aagghhh this is why I'm useless.

Finished off a bottle of white vinegar in the washing machine.

DS got a present from Dance classes, she wasn't sure if he was allowed chocolate like the other kids so brought a present, which is very sweet except it sounds like a tambourine so that will def be one in one out 🤣🤣

stealth Glad you came up with some gift ideas, and good for you for getting any painting done this time of year.

sleepingstandingup That's great that the missing clothes were found. I never weighed in with advice because I really don't know what I would have done in that situation.

sandandsea I can't judge your DP because I wrote the wrong name for DD in a Christmas card a few days ago! I wrote the name of another baby we know...not even a similar name.

glitterywoolly Well done on getting all those presents wrapped. I made a deal with my immediate family a few years ago "no gifts for adults unless we're seeing each other in person" (they all live overseas). Can't decide if that makes me a genius or a grinch.

I'm hoping this post is long enough that no one will notice I have zero outs for today...

I did something else today. I went through my saved Facebook posts, you know where you can save interesting posts and recipes and products. Well mine are a total mess and all muddled so I deleted loads and sorted them into meaningful categories.

Today I managed to get my accumulated donations to the charity shop (two bin bags, a smaller bag and a box of books). Tomorrow I’m hoping to take a bunch of stuff to the dump.

I think most of the charity shop stuff in bin bags had already been counted, but it feels great to get it out of the house and about a dozen children’s books were added to a box at the last minute, along with an extra bag of DIY stuff.

I have lots of packaging/empty boxes to recycle, but I’m keeping them for a few days more in case I get around to posting any Christmas pressies and need a box. Chances of being that organised over the next few days are slim to none, so I expect they’ll be in the recycling before long.

Hoping we can get out to the charity shop tomorrow but weather is currently HIDEOUS. We're still in T3 but honestly the way it's all going...

Yes footprints it certainly is an experience in the UK at the moment. I discovered accidentally a few days ago that a movie he loves was filmed nearby and we could go for a meal and / or walk but obviously with covid I couldn’t tell when to book for. So I will make a voucher for an activity in the area.

sleepingstandingup I’m so glad you’ve resolved the baby clothes situation. If I was her I’d be mortified to make that mistake.

unlimitedchips I noticed! 😃

I guess my charity shops will be closed. I’m just so glad I got 5 bags to them, although I still have piles to go.

My buyer didn’t collect the shelving unit. I really hope she collects it tomorrow or I guess I’ll try freecycle. Dd2 saw it in the hall and said ‘ooh a new ladder’ which terrifies me.

More outgrown/tatty socks into rag bag. Some old insurance paperwork shredded. Welsh lockdown brought forward to tonight - quite rightly as rates crazy and hospitals pressured. BUT my booked slot with charity shop on Monday now not happening AND our fourth attempt at a family dental checkup also likely to be cancelled. They wont see any of us if anyone in the house is isolating and kids have been told to isolate in their bubbles on so many occassions

Oh no are you T4?

Yes Def get that shifted 😂 I really want a pickled triangle for the babies but I've been vetoed by DH on the basis of my 5 years old ability to assess risk and his general clumsiness!!

I think the good think with clothes lady is were both terribly polite 😂 so it was oops you seem to have missed something, terribly sorry but i think not, could you look again, oops I found it, jolly good!! Made today so much less awks 😂😂

I have the most beautiful wrapping paper, two rolls, but the cellotape doesn't stick because it's all shiny. Was going to be for Santa presents and now I don't know what to do with it. I can not bin it. Wonder of it would stick with glue?? I might redecorate something with it.

Washed my dolls in the washing machine and forgot the big one wears a nappy. Eugh. Do NOT machine wash a nappy. 🙄🥺🤮

@SleepingStandingUp do you have a glue gun? I've used that for paper that is cellotape proof. Also just pritt-stick.

Also re: triangle. It would be great for a clumsy pro risk child as it would allow them to practice their skills in a relatively control way. Or do you mean they'd hurt and squash the babies?

sleepstandingup, I don't know how to do links, but if you search YouTube for "Japan Gift Wrap Hack [No Tape, No Ribbons] Beat the Bush", there's a method that might work if you have rectangular things.

Tier 4 here as well so feeling fed up with it all. We were only planning to see ILs who live a few miles away and only on Boxing Day, but DH is a bit down about it. Fortunately news came out in time for us to edit down the food shopping order a bit! to everyone else stuck in last minute lockdowns.

Not many outs here apart from another pile of DD's art. I swear it is multiplying!

My brother has just had a baby so had a moment of hope I might shift some of the outgrown clothes mountain but then realised I have no way of getting them there! He lives about 150 miles away and would cost too much to post.

Feel your pain on the wrapping paper Sleeping, we had some like that last year. Double sided tape might work if you have some?

Gassylady you have reminded me I must phone our dentist although suspect it will not be good news on when we can get a check up. Over a year now since we all went.

Loving the Xmas napkins Stealth and am going to check if we have any as I'm sure we do.

rapsberryblonde have you considered a courier like dpd to send clothes? I think it’s dpd where you have an app, you put in the details and then you just take it to one of their shops.

I’m feeling a bit low myself. I’m not directly affected as my plans haven’t changed but it’s so hard for other people to have their plans changed. Anyway I am going to paint another wall. Then I need to tidy the dining room. We have lots of papers and receipts and home schooling on the table.

I will try the glue gun or prit stick (it was in ds's bedroom) but might save it for crafts / wedding presents now as I have appetite for rewrapping everything. I'll just tell them we sent the paper to the elves although he's not discerning enough to notice lol.

One bag of presents out, one lot of Christmas and Birthday presents in, cardboard immediately out.

Re triangle, DH imagines broken furniture, legs and babies. This is the kid who currently has two scrapes on his back from falling off his chair and trying to jump off the sofa. Still sports the scar from running at school and the feint remnants from walking at school.

Thanks for the thoughts on posting Stealth and Woolly. Think I will check with him what they might want first and then sort after Christmas as imagine it's going to be crazy the next few days! A lot is the wrong season so they may not need the smallest sizes anyway.

This thread really inspired me. I decided to not come back until I had finished the second coat of emulsion on the landing. And here I am! I suspect it will be patchy in places so i’ll stick another brush over those spots tomorrow. Woodwork to be done after Xmas unless I get a mad urge at 6am to start decorating before dc get up.

Anyway embarrassingly today’s out is my pair of painting trousers that’s have split due to my fat covid bottom!

I've lost my decluttering mojo a bit this week. Have worked extra hours covering for staff having to self isolate and I'm really tired. We are now in tier 4 so can't get much out of the house to charity shops either.
This morning I've sorted out a tangle of strings of beads the dds had for dressing up, hoping to re-home them to pre-school tomorrow. Christmas cards went in the post box yesterday and I'll tackle another batch of paperwork layer.
A few things have come in as I had a birthday last week but they're all useful so not really clutter. Also bought some Christmas story books for work which I will be keeping at home otherwise they will be trashed. I want to be able to bring them out in future years!
I could do with a week or so after Christmas to do some serious decluttering but I only get Christmas Day and Boxing Day off ☹️