Drowning in stuff!

[namechange269]

Anyone else feeling overwhelmed by the amount of crap they have accumulated over Christmas - so much stuff everywhere! Where to start? How do I reclaim my house?

Stuff that can be used up like toiletries/chocs/booze or stuff that you needs to find a permanent home for?

I was in your situation last year and made it very clear that this year I wanted no more than 1 gift from anyone (DM is a believer in quantity over quality, so 6 books by the same author that I mentioned I liked instead of 1 🙈...)

DD aged 15 told her dad - EXH (another hoarder) that she wanted experience gifts, not physical stuff, so tickets, day out somewhere etc, despite this she ended up with 3 bags for life of basically tat. Gonk novelty mug, hot chocolate in a cone, glittery uncomfortable socks, polyester fuzzy PJ's - you get the drift. Most of it is going to the charity shop next week.

You have to stem the tide, stop it from coming into the house, use up what you have (I won't be buying any shower gel or moisturiser this year that's for sure) 🚿🫧

Having cleared out one elderly relatives house last year and now doing another, you have to be ruthless as the PP said.

Any unopened toiletries that you’re even slightly doubtful you’ll use neex to get donated.

Unopened food similarly needs to go.

If your DC are of an age where they still have toys. Have you been through them and got rid of anything broken, pieces missing or too young?