Declutter Your Christmas Mess Of Ripped Wrapping Paper {15 Minute Mission}

Today's decluttering mission, for Christmas Day, is to get rid of your Christmas mess of ripped wrapping paper after you and your family have opened gifts.


The Declutter 365 mission for the day is quite simple since it is, after all, a holiday for many people.

So first of all, Merry Christmas to each of you, and I'm wishing for you a wonderful clutter free New Year!

I don't want us to get out of the habit of decluttering even today, but my definition of that habit for the day is pretty lax.

Today I want you to make sure to throw away (or recycle) your ripped up wrapping paper from all the gifts your family and friends opened. That's it!

I actually find it easiest to grab a trash bag or other container before presents are even opened, and then get everyone to throw their ripped up gift wrap into the bag as you go, so you don't even have to clean up a mess later.

This actually has the practical effect of helping you avoid clean up disasters later as well, because before we started doing this simple habit we accidentally threw away some small parts of Christmas presents, and had to fish through the trash to find them later! Not fun on Christmas day, let me tell you.

To the extent that you use reusable gift bags, or like to save bows, boxes, etc. for use another time obviously don't throw those things away, but put them off to the side. One day soon you can work to put these items back away, or organize the wrapping paper, and other gift wrapping supplies.

Today though, enjoy time with your loved ones!

After all, "One of the most glorious messes in the world is the mess created in the living room on Christmas day." (A quote from Andy Rooney.)


If you open presents another day, or don't celebrate Christmas in your home, first, you can still enjoy time with your loved ones or relax a bit today, and I encourage you too!

In addition though, you can declutter today by throwing away (or recycling) items from around your home that you've been meaning to get rid of, but just hadn't. Often when you really look you can find items that are obvious trash hanging around, especially on flat surfaces, or in corners on the floor.

Just work on it for 15 minutes or so, to keep you in the habit!


Top photo courtesy of Erich Ferdinand

Are You Ready To Declutter Your Home This Coming Year?

Did you know that Christmas day is often when people resolve that they want to get rid of excess clutter in their homes?

It's definitely true, I see the evidence of that every year when I run this mission as part of the Declutter 365 missions here on the site.

I'm not sure exactly why that is, but I'm sure it has something to do with all the "stuff" many of us accumulate at Christmastime as well as it starting to be close to New Years, when we all like to make a clean start.

If Christmas day has gotten you ready to make your house clutter free next year I encourage you to begin or continue with the daily Declutter 365 missions.

I've got a whole series of 15 minute decluttering missions that you can do, for 365 days of the year.

Just pick and choose the ones you want to do, that will make a big impact in your home. But if you want someone else to tell you the order you can also grab the 15 minute daily decluttering mission calendars and follow along as we all get our homes clutter free together!

Make Sure You Get Your Declutter 365 Products To Have A Clutter Free New Year

The Declutter 365 program can help you get your home clutter free and organized over the course of the next year.

There are both free products, such as the annual calendar, as well as add-on products available, including daily text message reminders, and a private and exclusive Facebook group to keep you motivated and encouraged throughout the year.

You can find out more about all the Declutter 365 products available here.



So what are you waiting for? If you've got a Christmas morning mess, like a reader Leah showed, then you can get your decluttering done for the day just by cleaning it up! Here's Leah's before photo:



In addition, after you clean up the mess from packaging and wrapping paper, make sure you do this additional bonus mission, to set up and/or put away Christmas presents you've received, so they don't become clutter in your home!

Related Pages You May Enjoy

Getting Clutter Free 15 Minutes At A Time Hall Of Fame

Getting Rid Of Holiday Clutter Hall Of Fame

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