Declutter Your Closet Before Christmas: What to Do with Old Clothes
Christmas is a time for renewal. Discover hacks for decluttering your wardrobe before the holiday season.
Kick off your symbolic renewal by clearing out your closet or wardrobe. Sort through your clothes and get rid of anything unnecessary in a way that's beneficial for you and eco-friendly.
Why It's Important to Declutter Your Closet
As we approach Christmas, we aim to set everything in order. Pre-holiday cleaning becomes a ritual to let go of disappointments and setbacks from the past year. That's why it's vital to declutter personal spaces, including your wardrobe.
Here are the five research-based reasons to organize your wardrobe before Christmas:
- Reduce Anxiety. Psychological studies indicate that clutter triggers the stress hormone cortisol.
- Boost Focus and Productivity. Clutter distracts the brain, forcing it to process excess information continuously. This reduces the ability to concentrate and work efficiently. A clean space equals a clear mind and a boost of energy for the new year.
- Save Time and Energy. Excessive items not only take up space but also steal time. Searching for the right outfit costs valuable minutes daily. Order saves hours that can be spent on yourself, your loved ones, or your hobbies.
- Improve Physical and Mental Health. Constant stress from clutter weakens the immune system, disrupts sleep, and leads to chronic fatigue. Tidying up isn’t just cleaning, it’s caring for your health.
- Symbolic Renewal Ritual. Getting rid of excess creates space for new items, goals, or ideas.
Ultimately, decluttering isn't just about tidying up; it's an opportunity to reorganize your life.
How to Sort Out Unneeded Items
Set aside 3-4 hours to declutter your closet – it's enough when you organize the process well. Plus, the more time spent, the more items you'll want to keep.
Step One. Take all items out of the closet and lay them on a bed, sofa, or large table to give yourself room to sort through them.
Step Two. Divide all items into three piles. The first pile is for outfits you need, the second for items you can donate or sell, and the third for those destined to become cleaning rags.
If you're undecided on whether to keep that sweater, dress, or pair of jeans, ask yourself these questions:
Consider these questions if unsure about keeping an item:
- "When was the last time I wore this?" If it hasn't left the closet all season, it’s probably time to let it go and make way for items you actually need.
- "Does it fit me?" If the answer is no, remove it from your closet. Don't store clothes while waiting to gain or lose weight.
- "Does this fit my lifestyle?" For example, if you used to work remotely and now commute to an office, you might want to replace your sweatpants with more suits.
- "Would I buy this today?" Trends and tastes change, so don't hold onto clothing that's out of style or that you dislike.
- "Is it time to replace this?" If your favorite sweater has become pilled or your jeans have holes, it’s time for new ones.
- "Do I even like this?" Even if it’s in excellent condition, don’t keep clothes that bring negative emotions.
Step Three. Sort needed items by season and purpose, like separating home and sportswear from office clothing.
What to Do with Unneeded Items
Now that you have two piles of unwanted clothing, it's time to decide where they go. Throwing them away isn’t eco-friendly, especially since there are many ways to give clothes a "second life."
Donate to Charity
The most humane way to get rid of unwanted clothes. Charitable foundations and stores will direct your items to people for whom an old coat or worn-out T-shirt could be a lifesaver. Be sure to check online to find where and what textiles can be donated in your area.
Where to donate in your area:
- Check stores like Goodwill and Salvation Army
- Look for local clothing drives and shelters
- Participate in community swap events.
Many churches and crisis centers for women and children also collect clothes for the needy.
Important Considerations:
- Clothes should be clean and preferably without holes.
- Seasonal needs: Winter requires warm coats, hats, gloves, scarves, while summer calls for lighter clothing and shoes.
- Packaging: Neatly fold and label bags (e.g., "women's clothing size 10," "children’s shoes size 8"). This makes sorting easier for volunteers.
Swap with Friends
A cozy pre-holiday party with clothes swapping and hot winter drinks could help get rid of unwanted items while having a good time. Plan with friends to bring unwanted clothes and extra accessories in good condition and have a small fashion show. If any items remain, donate them to charity.
Lately, clothes swapping has gone viral on social media as a new twist on Secret Santa.
To set up the game and draw names, use the MySanta app. It assigns Santas to everyone and lets players share wishlists. Here are more advantages of using the service:
- Draw names in a click
- Wishlists that allow you to note items you'd like to receive
- The possibility of anonymous messaging between recipient and Santa.
Give to Friends and Coworkers
Consider who among your friends and acquaintances might need a nice sweater you're tired of or a bag that no longer fits your style.
How to offer an item:
- To avoid offending friends or coworkers, offer items in good condition that you would still wear. No one wants to feel like a substitute for the trash can.
- Show pictures of the items and honestly describe any flaws.
- If unsure how to make a personal offer, write a message in your group chat: "Hey! I'm sorting through my closet and found some cool items in great condition that no longer fit me." Attach photos of the items.
- Don’t be pushy – emphasize how your friend or colleague might appreciate the item.
- If there's no interest, don't be discouraged. Not everyone is comfortable wearing someone else's clothes.
Sell on Online Platforms
If clothes are in good condition, sell them. Popular platforms like eBay and Poshmark are ideal for this.
How to sell quickly:
- Take quality photos of the items.
- Provide a truthful and detailed description, including size, material, and any defects.
- Don’t overprice. Typically, second-hand items sell for 30-50% of the original price, or up to 70% for luxury items.
- Be ready to offer a discount and pay for shipping.
Repurpose
If you love crafting, old clothes can always be revamped or transformed. For example, embellish a worn blouse with embroidery or appliques, turn old jeans into a trendy tote, unravel a sweater to knit a scarf or mittens, or make a dress into a top and skirt.
You'll find plenty of ideas and detailed instructions for repurposing clothes on Pinterest and YouTube.
Use as Rags
If an item is too worn out and no textile recycling points are nearby, turn old clothes into rags. Cotton T-shirts, sweatshirts, and hoodies are ideal for cleaning. Use a whole item for floor cleaning, or cut them up for dusting to prevent frayed edges using pinking shears.
Conclusion
Decluttering your wardrobe helps organize both your closet and your mind. Instead of throwing away clothes, breathe new life into them by donating to those in need or by tapping into your creativity through customization.
