As much as we would love to tell our family members to buy less toys for our kids, we all struggle with the what and the how. My friend & declutter expert Katy Wells dives into her top strategies to be able to do this with tact, love, and grace:

The holiday season is a magical time filled with joy, festivities, and the spirit of giving. However, it often comes with a not-so-magical side effect: toy clutter. It’s no secret that families tend to go overboard when it comes to buying toys for their children during the holidays. According to a study by Statista, the total revenue of the world toy market was recorded at over 107 billion U.S. dollars in 2022.

This well-intentioned generosity can lead to clutter, stress, and an overwhelmed living space for parents and kids alike. Here are some actionable steps you can take to encourage your family to buy less toys this holiday season while still spreading the holiday cheer.

1) Prioritise Experiences Over Toys

Instead of focusing solely on physical gifts, encourage your family to prioritize experiences. Suggest giving the gift of time spent together, such as a family movie night, a day at the zoo, a membership to a museum or a weekend getaway. These experiences create lasting memories without adding to the toy collection. 

2) Create a Wish List

This list can include not only toys you know your child would enjoy but also practical items they need like clothing, books and school items. You can create these digitally on a website like Amazon or create lists to share via email or group text to avoid duplicate purchases and ensure that the gifts chosen are genuinely desired and useful. These are great to use year-round for birthdays and special occasions, as well.

3) Create Gifting Guidelines

Set a guideline for your friends or family to follow for holidays and special occasions such as the “Three-Gift Guideline”: One item they want, one item they need & one item to read. This ensures your child receives meaningful gifts and keeps toy clutter to a minimum.

4) Request Consumables

Consumables are items that get used up over time. Start by thinking about your child’s interests and hobbies and any items they use for those. Does your child love to draw? Perhaps some coloring books, colored pencils, or drawing books would be ideal. Does your child love to bake? Select some baking supplies or ingredients and wrap them in a gift basket.

5) Establish a Physical Boundary

While this doesn’t have to do with other family members per se, it’s very important because one reason we have toy clutter to begin with is because we as parents or caregivers don’t establish a physical boundary (limitation) for them. Decide on the space you’re willing to dedicate to store toys. Is it an entire closet? A nine-cube cubby? A corner of their room? Three drawers in a dresser? Once you define the physical boundary, teach your child that boundary and honor it. When that space starts to overflow, that’s your cue to let go. As toys come in, others can go out which takes us to the next idea (which is especially helpful for keeping toy clutter away).

6) Embrace the One-In, One-Out Rule

I couldn’t go without sharing this valuable tip, even though it also doesn’t have to do with other family members. Teach your children the concept of decluttering and make it a part of the gift-giving process. For each new toy they receive, have them choose an old one to donate or pass on to someone in need. This helps maintain a balanced toy inventory and stick to your physical boundary. Keep in mind not every child will react to this idea with excitement, so it’s best to slowly introduce this and support them through the declutter process.

7) Consider what the Holidays are truly about

Big brands spend billions of dollars each year to convince us (and our kids) that we’ll be happy when we buy the latest, greatest gadget or toy. It’s time to get back to what the Holidays are truly about to you, your faith, your core values and your family. Putting more emphasis on traditions, experiences and being present in the moment can offer us joy, contentment and fulfillment that no material possession can.

Parting thoughts

By implementing these seven strategies, you can create a more meaningful and clutter-free holiday season for your family. Remember, the goal is not to eliminate gift-giving entirely but to shift the focus towards thoughtful and intentional giving. This way, you can enjoy the magic of the holidays without the stress of toy overload and clutter. Embrace the spirit of giving, create lasting memories, and enjoy a happier, tidier holiday season.

Cheers,

Katy

PS: You can learn more about Katy and connect with her here > https://www.katyjoywells.com –https://www.instagram.com/katyjoywells – https://www.facebook.com/MaximizedMinimalist