Decluttering Tips and Support

Dear Reader,

My kids are incredibly lucky to have people in their lives who want to show their love through gift-giving.

But figuring out where to put all the gifts causes a lot of stress - and can lead to clutter.

How do we navigate conversations with well-meaning relatives about gifts when we're trying to declutter our homes?

This week's guest, Khrystyne Jaspers, is an expert on the subject - she lives with her husband and two kids (ages 4 and 7) in a one bedroom apartment in Manhattan.

Yes, you read that right! A ONE bedroom apartment. (Here's a video from Apartment Therapy with a full tour!)

Khrystyne has had numerous conversations with loved ones about gift-giving because she literally doesn't have the space to accomodate very much - however, regardless of the size of your home, you can glean a ton of wisdom from her tips.

On the Podcast

When approaching a conversation with loved ones about gift-giving, follow these steps:
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​1. Start with kindness and assume the best. Remind yourself that they are giving gifts because they love your kids. This mindset of gratitude should be the foundation of what comes next.
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​2. Be honest about your own journey and the reality of your space (and your capacity). Even if you don't have the constraints of a one-bedroom apartment, you can talk about how managing the amount of stuff in your home is impacting you. Khrystyne recommends starting with something like,
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​“I’m finding that I’m stressed by managing my home so I can’t focus on the kids like I want to. Will you be open to suggestions about how we want to handle gifts going forward?”

3. Consider allowing them to buy the toys while you give your kids more practical gifts. Or if they are on board with experience gifts, recommend a small physical gift that can go with it. For example, if they gift a zoo membership, the physical gift can be a small stuffed zoo animal.

For more amazing tips on gift-giving (and receiving), check out Episode 228 wherever you listen to podcasts or on YouTube!
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In Case You Missed It

One of my favorite things to talk about on podcast interviews is something many would consider morbid - Swedish Death Cleaning.

I did my own death cleaning at age 39 and still do periodic maintenance on an annual basis.

I was recently a guest on the Millenial Minimalists podcast where I share my recommendations for doing your own death cleaning, no matter your age.

If you want to do your own death cleaning, I have a free resource that may help you - 5 Simple Steps to Start Swedish Death Cleaning.

Things I'm Loving Right Now

✨ My decluttering/organizing tool of the week is this behind-the-door organizer (perfect for stuffed animals) recommended by Tyler Moore, otherwise known as Tidy Dad. I just finished his book Tidy Up Your Life and he has great space-saving organizing ideas to share!

✨ My decluttering/organizing resource of the week is Khrystyne's consumable and experience gift guides. They're filled with creative and clutter-free gift ideas that take the guesswork out of being a gift-giving guru!

✨ My favorite recipe of the week is Sheet Pan Beef Enchiladas - we eat a lot of Mexican food since my husband is gluten-free - and this recipe is simple and delicious.
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What are some things you're loving right now? Hit reply and let me know.

On the journey with you,

Emily

P.S. Skipped to the end? No problem! This week I spoke to Khrystyne Jaspers about how to navigate gift-giving conversations with family members (and to keep your home clutter-free).

​*Note- affiliate links may be included, which means I get a small commission if you use my link - thanks!​