How the snowflake method could help you declutter before Christmas

Focusing on duplicates is a great way to keep it simple when it comes to clean outs, making it the perfect approach for a stress-free tidy before the festive chaos begins in earnest

The snowflake method takes decluttering back to a simple ‘choose this or that’ approach, making the process more manageable. Picture: iStock 

WITH the countdown to Christmas officially underway, now is the perfect time to set aside some time for serious decluttering.

Getting the house clean, organised, and festive can feel like an overwhelming task, but the snowflake method offers a simple way to make it more manageable.

Wes asked professional organiser Lesley Spellman, who co-hosts The Declutter Hub podcast with Ingrid Jansen, to explain what this tidying trend entails and how it can bring much-needed calm amid the Christmas chaos.

Just as no two snowflakes are the same, this decluttering trend encourages you to eliminate any duplicates in your home to create a more streamlined space.

“The idea is that you go through your stuff in a really simple way and make choices based on duplicates that you have in your home,” explains Spellman. “You look at where you’ve got duplicates, and then determine which one is the most useful or the most sentimental to you.

“This method takes decluttering right back down to a simple ‘choose this one or that’ idea and encourages you to not have anything additional to what you need in your home.”

The snowflake method helps simplify the often daunting prospect of decluttering.

“A very simple method like this is perfect for people who have just found themselves in a position where they’ve got a little bit too much stuff and want to do a clear out ready for Christmas,” says Spellman. “The whole premise of the method is that it’s quick and speedy and you can get through lots of different rooms before Christmas.”

It’s also a great way to prepare your house before the inevitable influx of stuff that tends to accumulate during all the festivities, says Spellman.

“It obviously depends on your individual circumstances, but if you’ve got children, then there is usually an exponentially crazy influx of stuff coming into the house around Christmas. There’s only so much space in your house, so clearing the decks a little bit allows space for these things to come in.”

The snowflake method may also lead to a pile of items that are in a good enough condition to take to the charity shop.

“It’s an absolutely brilliant time of year to take things like party wear, brand-new items, and Christmas decorations to a charity shop,” says Spellman. “It’s a good thing to do this side of Christmas because a lot of these things will be less useful to charity shops afterwards.”

An ordered house can also help you feel less stressed. “Having control of your home and that feeling that you get from decluttering and organising your home makes you feel a bit calmer.”

Decluttering also allows you to teach your kids a lesson. “If you’ve got children, it’s really important to teach them that you can’t just ask for loads more stuff from Santa or mum and dad without letting go of some of the stuff that you’ve already got,” says Spellman.

When following the snowflake method, you will likely uncover many things you have forgotten about. “This might stop you from buying new things, so it will therefore help you save money,” says Spellman. “Through this process, you might also uncover things like Christmas cards, gift bags, and wrapping paper that you can use up rather than buying new.”

Many people wait until January, a big time for decluttering, but “it’s brilliant to start now and get ahead of the game”, says Spellman.

Here are some helpful tips on how to get started …

Think about what the goal is: “It’s really important to understand what the big picture goal is,” says Spellman. “Ask yourself, why do you want to do it? Is it for the children or have you got guests coming over?

“Think about what’s important to you and what’s going to help turn the dial on a little more.”

Focus on one room at a time: “Decluttering the communal rooms is probably going to be the priority,” says Spellman. “The kitchen is a great place to start as it’s the hub of the home and it’s important to have that as a space that you are proud of and feel comfortable in.”

Break it down into manageable chunks: “If you start a massive declutter which takes you from 8am on Saturday morning to 7pm at night, then you are going to be completely worn out and won’t want to do any more the following day,” says Spellman. “But if you break it down instead over a few different weekends and start with the kitchen and sort cupboard by cupboard, that will help you manage your own energy levels.”