December is over, the gifts are unwrapped, and somewhere in the apartment boxes are piling up. Maybe you got a new coffee machine – but the old one still works. Maybe new books – but the shelf is already full.
This is the perfect moment to declutter. And the perfect moment to give things away.
The Gift Dilemma
Every year the same thing: You receive things you don't need but can't turn down. The third scented candle, the book you already own, the scarf in a color you never wear.
It took me a long time to understand: It's okay to pass on gifts. That's not a betrayal of the person who gave it. On the contrary – if someone else appreciates the thing more, it fulfills its purpose better.
Of course you shouldn't give away grandma's hand-knitted gift. But the standard things – the bestseller, the scarf, the kitchen accessory – those are allowed to go.
A tip: Wait a few weeks. Not because you should feel guilty, but because the market is flooded after Christmas. In February, fewer people are looking for candles.
The "New Replaces Old" Principle
For me, a simple rule works: When something new comes in, something old goes out.
You got a new sweater? Look in the closet for one you haven't worn in a year. That one can go.
New books? Time to sort out the ones you'll never read again.
New kitchen machine? The old coffee maker that still works but is no longer needed can make someone else's day.
This isn't strict math – you don't have to give away one thing for every new item. But the principle helps prevent endless accumulation.
The New Year as a Psychological Moment
It's no coincidence that many people declutter at the turn of the year. January feels like a fresh start. Shedding old baggage, starting fresh.
I consciously harness this energy. In the first week of January, I walk through the apartment and ask myself: What didn't serve me last year? What did I not use, not wear, not look at?
Those things go on a pile. Then I decide: Sell, give away, or – worst case – dispose of. Usually give away, because the effort of selling is rarely worth the return.
Children's Items After Christmas
If you have kids, you know the problem: At Christmas, what feels like a hundred new toys arrive. But where to put them when the children's room is already full?
Here's an arrangement I adopted from friends: Sort out before Christmas. The kids get to help decide what goes. Not everything, but a few things. This creates space and – perhaps more importantly – teaches a healthy relationship with possessions.
The sorted-out items can then be given away. Children's toys always go quickly, because kids outgrow things so fast and someone is always looking.
What's Especially Worth Giving Away
In my experience, certain things are particularly in demand in the post-Christmas period:
Books you received as gifts but already know or won't read. Someone else will be happy.
Household electronics you've replaced with an upgrade. Your old blender still works? Then it can make a student's first apartment easier.
Decorations that no longer match your style. Christmas decorations you never hung up. Vases, picture frames, candle holders.
And – often forgotten – packaging material. Clean boxes, packing material, even wrapping paper that's still usable. People who are moving are constantly looking for boxes.
A More Sustainable Start to the Year
I've come to think differently about possessions. Not everything I have needs to be kept. And not everything I no longer need is trash.
January is a good time to put this attitude into practice. Look around, ask yourself what you really need, and pass the rest on. Someone else will be glad, and you'll have more space – physically and mentally.
If you're decluttering, check out PIKITUP. The map shows you what's being sought near you. And if you want to give something away, posting takes less than two minutes.
What did you let go of after Christmas? Tell me about it – hello@pikitup.ch