Chanukah Is Coming… And So Is the Mess

6 EASY TIPS BELOW:

Hey friend, 

let’s talk about something super important!

Chanukah is coming.

Your kids are excited.

Your mother-in-law is excited.

Your Amazon cart is excited.

But your playroom? 

Your playroom is shaking in the corner whispering please no… not again…

Because for many of us, Chanukah comes with a whole lot of stuff. 

And listen, we are blessed. 

Truly blessed. 

Many of us have family who love our children so dearly that the love shows up in the form of giant, shiny, noisy gifts. And if that's you, you are so lucky!

But before anything new crosses your doorstep, we need to do something important! 

Declutter the playroom BEFORE the Chanukah mess hits.

You cannot fit more into a space that is already full.

Not in your home, not in your head, not in your schedule.

We make space first, and then we allow in the things that truly matter.

And by the way, the greatest gift you can give your kids is time with you. 

Trips, memories, experiences, fun activities… those are the things they remember when they’re adults. 

Not the plastic doll that sings in three languages and mysteriously restarts at 2 A.M.

But if your family wants to buy things, or you’re planning to get a specific gift this year, amazing. 

Just create the space for it now so your home doesn’t end up feeling like a toy store exploded.

So… how do we actually declutter a playroom without crying, hiding, or running away?

 Here’s the way I teach it inside my courses, and to clients, and I am sharing it here because I am soo nice!:)

How to Declutter Your Playroom… the Easy Ellie Way

1. Your kids must be responsible for THEIR space.

This is one of the core Frum Minimalism concepts I teach inside my Boot Camp, and in Raising Minimalists Kids.

If you want responsible kids, you can’t just tell them to be responsible, you have to actually give them real responsibility. 

And the playroom is the perfect place to start.

The playroom is theirs.

The toys are theirs.

They get to help decide what stays and what goes.

When children are part of the process, something amazing happens. . They begin to understand limits, boundaries, and ownership.

Kids really can learn this, and it takes so much off of you!

2. Start with the easiest category to get rid of.

Never, ever start with sentimental or complicated toys. 

Begin with broken toys, missing-piece toys, random parts, and anything your kids haven’t touched since Purim 5781. 

Kids actually LOVE this part.

3. Move to duplicates.

How many puzzles do you really need? 

How many stuffed animals? 

How many plastic food sets? 

The answer is: way way way way fewer than you think. 

Keep the best, nicest looking version and get rid of the rest.

4. Choose your “limit.”

Every category gets a container limit. 

One bin for dolls. 

One bin for cars. 

One shelf for games. 

If it doesn’t fit, it doesn’t stay. 

This teaches kids that space is finite. 

5. Let them trade.

If your son wants to keep a big set that takes up half a shelf, great, but then he has to get rid of smaller things to make room. 

Kids learn negotiation, prioritizing, and decision-making in a wonderful  way.

6. Put “maybe” items in a Can Not Decide Bin.

If your child is unsure, it goes in a labeled box in a closet for 2–4 weeks. If no one asks for it? Out it goes. 

(More on this in my courses, and in my book Frum Minimalism- btw if you don't have it, what are you waiting for? Run go order it today! I'm waiting!)

Why Do This Now? 

Because Chanukah Usually Means MORE Toys Are Coming.

If you declutter now, you’re not overwhelmed when new stuff come in. You’re not trying to shove things into closets during candle-lighting. You’re not drowning in plastic.

You’re ready.

Your home is ready.

Your kids are ready.

And the new gifts don’t add chaos,  they actually bring happiness, because the space for them already exists.

And if you want me to walk you through this process… you know where to find me. ;)

And, don't forget to FORWARD TO A FRIEND:)