ORGANIZE Christmas and Start Decorating with Me!

Organize Christmas decorations and start decorating for the holidays with me in this video today! Last year, I just stuffed organization bins without regard to how I need it organized for decorating this year.
Before I can decorate, I had to assess, sort, and organize by area in my house: front porch, trees, kitchen, and more.
WATCH NEXT!
10 Things to Organize BEFORE the Holdays
• 10 Things to Organize ...
20-Minute Decluttering:
• Can 20-Minute Daily De...
Kitchen Declutter and Simple Living:
• Clearing Kitchen Count...
10 Things to Organize BEFORE the Holdays
www.ericalucas...
// FROM THIS VIDEO
Ornament Organization square
amzn.to/4i9DmBH
Ornament Organization rectangle
amzn.to/3OBILnt
#organize #organization #declutteryourlife
__________________
Hello! I'm Erica Lucas. On this channel, I share videos about making life simple one day at a time. Obstructive, massive, problem-level clutter overwhelmed me... until I decluttered thousands of items! 2024 marks my fifth year of decluttering, and I am now bridging from decluttering and minimalism into simple living, slow living, and sharing tips with you for minimalist living!
__________________
SIMPLE LIVING IN YOUR HOME!
Simple living includes uncomplicating the ownership of items. Grab these printables and products to simplify your home and simplify your life:
www.etsy.com/s...
www.amazon.com...
__________________
// SUBSCRIBE to my channel!
bit.ly/2MXlRY5
___________________
// SAY HELLO! ERICA LUCAS
Website: www.ericalucas.com
Inquiries: [e-mail]
___________________
FTC Disclaimer: I may receive some products in exchange for my honest review. My opinions are my own and are not influenced by brand, person, or company. Please note that some links may be affiliate links, and I earn a commission from your purchase. These links share products at no extra cost to you.

[@teresaellis7088]

I saved decor thinking my kids would want someday.They don’t!I declutteted my Christmas down to very little.Gave 100s ornaments to nephews wife who works at a school.My kids have own style and that is fine.I am not pressuring them to cherish what I cherish.

[@hjördis4]

I completely understand! I also binned the babybook my mum made for me. They were not my memories but hers. And when Erica told us her mother in law gifted them ornaments every year I was horrified as I wouldn’t like someone else to interfere with my decorations. Luckily for her she seems to like it!

[@danielleshanti]

@@hjördis4 Ooo, I totally get baby and kid memories being my mom's rather than mine. She created a "baby box" for each of us four kids. She put a baby outfit that we wore, shoes, and a baby toy that we played with. I ended up parting with all of those, but kept stories I wrote in school. Stuff that I created. I think as adults we just aren't attached to childhood things in the same way parents are.

[@tallulahsmom2964]

Hello Erica. I love Christmas too. My mother's birthday was on Christmas, and I decorate my house like a Hallmark movie, so I am told. Everyone loves to come to my house for Christmas and I love to entertain guests. I live in a neighborhood where we decorate the outside with lights and decorations in our yards. The children love it. Have a Merry Christmas.

[@kbetz1978]

Laying on the floor, with kids yelling and mid-declutter is so relatable!! Minute 5:48

[@christined2495]

Downsized BIG time last year, but we are retirement age, gave out big tree to charity and bought a 4 foot tabletop now that I don’t have my big tree I donated 80% of ornaments, and just kept the sentimental ones, I went from three bins to one, and it feels sooooo good Of course with children it’s hard to downsize like that I also don’t put a lot of decor out, just a few things like the mantel, stockings, nativity

[@leahrenea2709]

I have done the exact same thing. Small tree and one bin

[@christined2495]

@ isn’t it freeing, and so enjoyable to decorate

[@leahrenea2709]

I would cry if I had to deal with this 😂. Can't wait to see everything decorated

[@susannem6192]

Your mid-task collapse was the perfect embodiment of "it gets worse before it gets better"! Advice to anyone looking for new ornament boxes: consider plastic to protect from water damage even if your storage area is not prone to flooding. I learned the hard way!

[@JamieKoblas]

I love that you show the reality of the holidays...laying back and putting your feet up while trying to organize all the decorations and the kid being kids upstairs. Those days were always crazy, hectic and so much fun.

[@christineabercrombie5257]

Have finally realised I suffer (and have time all my life) with ADHD and this time of year is now just total overwhelm. Every year I say I’ll be organised by start December and just enjoy build up but never happens. So have massively scaled back on decor and just aim to enjoy what I can cope with. I LOVE Christmas - my absolute favourite time of year but I have to be realistic because if I’m not there’s no joy for anyone!! Love the video and organisation hacks! X❤

[@susanspringall8603]

Good to see that someone on youtube has to work on organizing Christmas stuff and it doesn't all come together perfectly. Thanks for your honesty. You are getting there, as am I.😊

[@deb4375]

Good ideas for organizing your Christmas decor .

[@erinstine]

We only did one tree this year (normally my kids have a tree w alot of their special ornaments and crafted ones). They only wanted 1 this year so we went through ornaments and got rid of some that had no sentimental meaning for us. Donated about 15, trashed some homemade ones that were falling apart too!

[@siameseire]

Thankyou, Erica. 💛

[@catherinecarney2507]

Growing up, our Christmas trees probably had 2 or 3 hundred ornaments. There was no theme. Some of the ornaments were pre-WWII; others were new that year. We always had a real double or triple-needle Balsam tree. My dad had hung the nine sets of lights. There was a mixture of white and colored lights. The snowflake lights were from the 60s. My job was to untangle all the lights and see if they worked. The next step was to hang the Angel at the very top, followed by a coffee pot, a teapot, a small white elephant (purchased for my first Christmas), and several small red balls. (I took all of these jobs over in my late teens.) My father could now disappear if he wanted. The next to go on the tree were red balls. According to my grandmother, the red balls needed to be spaced before adding other ornaments. The top 2/3 of the tree was glass and other fragile ornaments. The bottom area was for the felt and other non-fragile ornaments. Decorating the Christmas tree took hours. The first day was the longest, and most of the tree was finished. The tree was not put up until the Saturday evening before Christmas. The tree had to last until Jan. 6th or the Saturday closest to it. My parents held a Twelfth Night costume-themed party for the first 20 years of their marriage. The tree still needed to be up for the party. The memories of childhood.

[@zenlife1200]

We never had this much Christmas stuff but when my kids were little they liked a tree in their room too. We just had small tabletop fibre optic ones that worked on batteries in their rooms. We had them on their bedside tables and I don't think they really cared much about the decorations on them, it was the lights that they really liked and the way that their rooms lit up at night. Once they grew out of them they grew out of the main big tree and Christmas decorations in general. If Christmas was in the winter here we might still be decorating but it's summertime here. The kids and I get hayfever and once they grew up and realized the dusty trees aggravated their hayfever that was the end of decorating their rooms.

[@rg-mi5hh]

We have been putting our tree in a tub with the strands of lights, candles for the window, extension cords for the tree, bulbs, garland,and bow for the top. Soooooo much easier than digging through stuff.

[@shadegarden7375]

Wow! What a lot of decorations…but, you have a big place!! Just put immediate kitchen stuff on out as you unpack it!

[@jadadallas5891]

Bought a small wooden Christmas tree that needs to be painted. It will go on the mantle. That is about all the Christmas decor we are doing. Too many cats to risk an actual tree. Plus we are still dealing with moving chaos. So going very simple this year. I enjoy seeing other people get their holiday spirit on though. 😊

[@barbaradevaney4904]

Great video. I love Christmas decorations and have been collecting them for over 50 years. I buy a really good quality one each year so have accumulated a lot. I HAVE to organise them or I would not find anything😮 each room has its own totes and one tote each for the 3 big trees. My youngest grandson is 3 now (we have 12) and so excited to come to nanny’s to see Christmas - each room is themed (winter snow, Nordic, Scottish Tartan) so I label every tote. We are not wealthy so it’s taken a long time to collect but the joy on the children’s faces is worth it xx

[@veroniquefricke9219]

GREAT ! 👏👍 Of course it is a big work to stage everything and later to remove all stuff but... it brings so much joy 😍 I have minimized our home to essentials but... I kept my christmas stuff 😏😊 GREAT to have more than one tree and what a cutie idea your cocoa table, so lovely 😍👍👏 Warm hugs from Germany 🙋🏼‍♀️

[@CynthiaMiller-cc3qj]

This was such a great video! I pared down & reorganized all my stuff in Sept. it was so much easier to decorate this year! You are really going to appreciate all this effort NEXT year ❣️❤️🎄🎅

[@jillc1910]

I did a good job of putting my ornaments away last year, so decorating was much easier this year. I keep a note on my phone with a checklist of things to do, it makes things much easier merry Christmas

[@josephdaly2015]

Wow you are amazing to have so many trees. It must feel great to have the categories organised. I felt the stress with that lie down and feet up 😂 Have a great week. Mary, Joes wife 🙇‍♀️👏💪👍🙏💐🎄

[@katehamb439]

That’s a whole lotta Christmas! It’s gonna look amazing. Love the tradition of the yearly ornaments, how special. Waiting to see if you have a Nativity scene??? 😊

[@kimpatience6505]

That will be really easy to put away after Christmas, too!

[@judyellen4412]

I look forward to watching your videos, Erica. I always think of your basement in your other house when you started decluttering. You have come so far! You are such a good example for your kids and others. My husband and I are retired and don’t have family around but I still like decorating. I put up two trees and decorate around the house. It just makes me happier because we are on our own. I do not think Christmas is just for kids. Lol

[@sherrih1035]

❤ your tree climbing Santa!

[@valerie718]

We bought the same kind of tote last year to help my mom consolidate all her ornaments. Also bought individual bubble wrap on Amazon and wrapped each ornament individually. Finally ditched all the boxes that each ornament came in.

[@3TXSisters]

We got all our Christmas totes from the storage unit. Long story why they are there and not neatly organized in two closets in our guest room. Anyway, we're getting our tree tonight with our younger son's family. A family tradition that we all enjoy. Our outside lights and decorations are up, so I need to get decorating! I'm glad your house looks the same as mine while decorating for Christmas!

[@francespettigrew9646]

I love ❤ your Christmas decorating videos. I missed last year so went back to the 2019 one. I loved the elf hat!

[@barbaraweber3084]

I did this a couple of years ago and got it down to three tubs, a wreathbag, and our tree. BUT my husband said they were just too heavy to carefully take out of the attic soooooo.....i guess ill go back up to however many boxes he can safely move for me because im surely not going to climb that rickety old ladder struggling with totes! I will gladly own more smaller totes.

[@elizabethlangheim7214]

That’s what I did. I turned 60 this year and a couple of years ago I moved from huge totes to smaller ones I can easily carry up from the basement. I only do 1 or two totes a day because I run out of breath coming up from the basement.

[@barbaraweber3084]

@elizabethlangheim7214 yeah, took my husband loosing control of a tote and him cussing (which he rarely does) for me to realize I took a downsizing wrong turn. I just got rid of two trash bags full of decor, that meant I could fit all the rest in a smaller number of totes....I guess it just goes to prove that even if you can maybe you shouldn't......

[@Cristien84]

I have the same feeling! Not knowing how to start because all my christmas stuff is chucked in bins without organisation the only thing I put a way in a special box are my nutcrackers.

[@Alis-Nicola]

We are empty nesters. We got our Xmas ornaments down to one tub and have one pop up tree which has built in lights and decorations. Too much just gives me anxiety so we like things minimal.

[@angelamarden9684]

Great job Erica. I didn't think of sorting for different areas. I like it. Merry Christmas

[@gapeach51170]

Merry Christmas!!! My grandbaby is almost 2 and it will be stressful to have all my Christmas decor out this year so I am only putting up a tree with my non breakable ornaments. I need to do a major declutter and organization of my Christmas stuff but it won't be this year :)

[@simplyfreedom171]

Future Erica is going to be so pleased that she is organized to take down and put up Christmas decor!! I only have three Christmas bins, but they are have their purpose!

[@jennyjenkins877]

🎅 Good luck with everything!

[@dianamarsden1933]

This is a great video. You stuck to it to get it done. If you can do it, I guess I can. I have been getting rid of old Christmas stuff, if it has not been used in the last couple of years, why keep it?

[@shadegarden7375]

It’s coming along!!👏🏻👏🏻🤩

[@minimaladjacent]

I also love xmas have several trees different sizes and colours... and plan for more.. tho still haven't put up the big one or ones yet... planned to sell one but maybe not. growing up we didn't do themes... it was ALL the ornaments we had.. and if busted or didn't like they went at the back... now I sometimes do themes on the small trees... tardis tree- yr round tree, or kinda themed by materials and colours.

[@JuliaK-H]

Yay Christmas! Would you mind sharing some Christmas book recommendations? 😍

[@maryloumenning3487]

Eloise at Christmas By Kay Thompson Mr. Willoughby's Christmas Tree Why the Chimes Rang The Puppy Who Wanted a Boy How the Grinch Stole Christmas The Polar Express The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

[@ruthmgonigle5914]

Christmas is my husband's favorite but I think I would prefer to skip alot of the decor because I am the one that seems to do the work putting out or putting away. The last few years I find something task related each year that can be eliminated to reduce the Christmas stress. I only have one area and one trunk but getting it all out is still mentally exhausting. I prefer a real tree but hubby might come home with a prelit one this weekend. I think this year he might get to do the whole thing. I'm out! 😂

[@heiditate6989]

I have 3 pencil trees...one in the family room, living room and dining room. We have a small one in the bedroom and 2 small outdoor trees. I go all out for Christmas because the grandkids come over.

[@danaandcompany9636]

I’m sure it felt great to have your things organized , but this video gave me some anxiety just thinking about it all. I’m in the process of getting rid of many of my things for Christmas and I am happy to do it. 😘

[@laurie6644]

I've downsized, too. *Makes for less costly, lighter Moving when we don't have a ton of stuff to bring with us. Moving is Harder when you, family and friends got to move it without help from movers and such. I'm in a small place and older... So less energy exerted, the better for me. (Plus...I don't want the added expense from start to finish.) 😁But I'll enjoy the community's deco & lights for sure.💕⭐✝️❄️⛄☃️🌲🌟🎄🎅🤶🎶🕯️🔔🦌🛷💕 MERRY CHRISTMAS!

[@CL-mn1yq]

At my folk's today, it crossed my mind to get their Xmas tubs out. I built the shelves for them (plans: Ana White from AK). I don't even celebrate. I decided to refrain unless asked. It's too much to manage.

[@ikki4021]

I think that is also good. But for erica it gives so much joy to have those things with christmas. Maybe for you it’s something else. Books, crafts… It’s good to feel the anxiety, now you know for sure i want less with christmas cause maybe you have more strenght to throug it. Love and hugs send to you all 🥰

[@madzabinga8382]

🎄

[@gail7932]

I did laugh but you did a great job it will be so much easier next year

[@deborahderosa4987]

We have 1 tree. Small house but 100s of ornaments. So this year, since my daughter is near you…American univ…. And won’t be home until the 19th, I’m doing less. First time doing a theme…All The Places we’ve Been…we get an ornament every trip. Next year, she’ll turn 21. So i think I’ll do an Isabella tree. Where did you get those red things? Love hearing your children playing.

[@lisaann6267]

I have been struggling today, today is my dads b-day. i miss him so much. he would have been 99 today. he passed july 28 1999. on my moms b-day. she passed when i was 14 from a heart attack. Have a blessed day Erica. 🙏💗🤗🎶🥤🥤🎄❤️💚

[@CL-mn1yq]

The real test will be putting it away! Good chance to reevaluate.

[@hakunamatata7941]

I'm Erica sounds like America ;)

[@suzannerockall4030]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@jeanmarie2928]

🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🤗♥️

[@LP-tu8li]

I like your long hair!

[@KathyBerlin]

Hm, ich habe irgendwie das Gefühl, du hast so viel neues an Weihnachtskram dazu gekauft. Erst wird soviel entsorgt und aussortiert , eigentlich mit der Intention weniger Zeug zu besitzen. Dann hättest du das schon vorhandene Zeug lieber behalten sollen. Weniger Konsum, weniger Umweltbelastung weil weniger Müll -im Endeffekt - und besser für den eigenen Geldbeutel. Das mag jetzt etwas unfreundlich klingen, soll es aber nicht. Ich denke an deine ersten Videos, in eurem Keller, wo soviel zu entsorgen war. Da hab ich das bewundert, was du geschafft hast Erika. Aber ich hab so das Gefühl das doch immer wieder so viel dazu kommt, zuviel Neues gekauft wird. Irgendwie drehst du dich im Kreis.