How to put the "Merry" back in your Christmas

How to Make Christmas More Fun (And Less Cluttered)

Ah, Christmas!

That magical time of year when your living room transforms into a glitter-bombed war zone and your bank account weeps silently in the corner.

The joyous season of overflowing stockings, overflowing bellies, and overflowing guilt about all the stuff you've accumulated.

But what if it was possible to make Christmas less stressful, more fun and less cluttered?

3 Reasons Christmas isn’t always as fun as we’d like it to be

1. The Planning Fallacy:
Ever heard of the 'planning fallacy'? It's that delightful phenomenon where you think you can whip up a 12-course Christmas feast, wrap 50 presents, and decorate the house like a Hallmark movie set - all while maintaining your sanity. Spoiler alert: You can't. But that won't stop us from trying every single year, will it?

2. The Clutter Hangover
Picture this: It's December 26th, and you're sprawled on the couch, surrounded by a sea of wrapping paper, empty boxes, and toys that will inevitably end up under the couch by New Year's.
You've got a food baby that could rival Santa's belly, and your house looks like the North Pole exploded.
Welcome to the Christmas clutter hangover, my friends!

3. The Great Gift Guilt
Let's talk about the elephant in the room - or rather, the unwanted reindeer sweater in the closet. We've all been there:

• Aunt Mildred's hand-knitted socks that could double as sleeping bags
• The fifth blender you've received in three years (because apparently, you give off a "smoothie enthusiast" vibe)
• That toy your kid played with for approximately 2.5 seconds before declaring it "boring"

The guilt of these unwanted gifts can weigh heavier than your post-Christmas dinner food coma. But remember, it's the thought that counts... right?

Decluttering: The Christmas Edition
So, how do we tackle this? Here are some tips to keep your Christmas merry and (somewhat) minimalist:

1. Experience the joy: Gift experiences instead of things. Because nothing says "I love you" like a voucher for skydiving (especially if your loved one is afraid of heights).
2. Quality over quantity: Buy one awesome gift instead of ten mediocre ones. Your wallet and your living room will thank you.
3. The Santa Sack Hack: If you must fill stockings, opt for practical items. Nothing says "Christmas magic" quite like a new pair of socks and a protractor, right?
4. The Regift Shuffle: Received a gift you don't want? Don't let guilt turn you into a hoarder. Donate it and let someone else enjoy that singing fish wall plaque.

Get Organised can make all the difference
A bit of thought and planning upfront can help you avoid the chaos and be more choiceful in the decisions you make. Don’t know where to start? I’ve got you covered. Download my 18-page FREE festive planner
(inside you’ll find a to-do-list, present planner, meal planner, minimalist gift ideas, budget planner, card planner and space to reflect on what will make this year’s holiday season truly memorable).

You can download it here: https://www.lisahodgson.co/festive 

Get the whole family involved in making Christmas more enjoyable—because teamwork makes the dream work.

The True Spirit of Christmas

Remember, folks, Christmas isn't about who has the most presents under the tree or the fanciest decorations. It's about love, connection, and trying not to strangle your relatives over political debates at dinner.

So this year, let's focus less on the material and more on the memorable.

Share laughter, create traditions, and maybe, just maybe, you'll find that the best gift of all is not having to spend January decluttering your house.