25 Days of Advent: Declutter

One of the seemingly hopeless aspects of Christmas is decluttering. Not only is there the routine cleaning, but the additional decor sometimes gets in the way. For example, my new Deebot keeps getting stuck in the tree skirt.

As an assortment of gifts multiply under the tree, I wish I could ignore the stacks of boxes going unsorted in my basement. What treasures must be buried there? Maybe there is something I could re-gift. If only I was as good at labeling those boxes.

Time during the Christmas season becomes cluttered, too. There are gifts to be made and purchased. Events require attendance.

The only thing decluttering is my diminishing bank account.

Yet, everything gets done--eventually. Time must be made for the most important things. People require attending as well. There are gifts to give and receive. Something happens when we take the time to give acts of service, words of encouragement, and hugs. Maybe the best thing we can do is spend quality time listening over coffee and cookies.

After all, those boxes in the basement aren't going anywhere. They can wait until January.