If you’ve been thinking about downsizing but aren’t quite sure you’re ready, we have an idea for you: test-drive downsizing this holiday season. Why not try out a few of the changes that might come with living in a smaller home, while you’re still enjoying the one you’re in?
The holidays are a great time to experiment because we tend to use our homes a little differently. We bring out decorations, prepare family meals, entertain, and make room for traditions we’ve enjoyed for years.
When we help clients plan for downsizing, we spend a lot of time talking about how they want to live in their next home. And those holiday traditions can tell us quite a bit about what matters to you. So before you start worrying about what furniture will fit or how much storage you’ll need, let’s try a few things and see what you discover.
What If You Decorated a Little Less This Year?
If decorating for Christmas usually involves bringing out boxes and boxes of decorations, try choosing just your favorites this year.
Maybe you decorate the tree and mantel but leave a few rooms undecorated. Or perhaps you display your favorite pieces from a collection rather than setting up the entire thing.
Then enjoy the season and see what you think. Do you miss the things you left packed away? Do you enjoy having a little less to set up, maintain, and eventually take down?
We know that holiday decorations often carry years of memories, and deciding what to keep can be a surprisingly big part of downsizing. Trying something different this year gives you a chance to see what you enjoy before making any decisions about those belongings.
And if you decide that your Christmas village absolutely needs a place in your next home, we’ll help you plan for that!
Could You Simplify Holiday Meals and Still Enjoy Your Favorite Traditions?
If you’ve hosted holiday meals for years, think about what goes into preparing them. There’s the menu, grocery shopping, cooking, setting the table, and cleaning up afterward.
What if you changed a few things this year? You could simplify the menu, have everyone contribute a dish, or use fewer of those special serving pieces that only come out once or twice a year.
You may discover that you enjoy the holiday just as much with a little less work. Or you may find that preparing the big family dinner is something you genuinely love and want to continue doing.
We talk with clients about these kinds of things because they make a difference when choosing a smaller home. If hosting Thanksgiving dinner for your whole family is important to you, we can look for a home that accommodates that. A smaller home doesn’t automatically mean a smaller gathering.
Have You Considered Letting Someone Else Host?
Here’s another idea, especially if you’ve been the family holiday host for many years. What if you let someone else take a turn?
Maybe one of your adult children would enjoy hosting Thanksgiving or Christmas this year. You could bring a favorite dish, enjoy the day, and experience the holiday without being responsible for everything.
You might discover that you love being a guest! Or you might realize how much you enjoy opening your home to everyone.
We’ve found that conversations about downsizing become much more useful when we understand the things someone wants to continue doing. If you’re ready to pass along some of the hosting responsibilities, that may open up possibilities for your next home. If you’re not, we’ll want to keep entertaining space on your list of priorities.
What Can You Learn When You Test-Drive Downsizing?
Once the holidays are over, think about what you tried. What did you enjoy doing differently? What did you miss? Are there things you would happily change again next year?
You may discover that you’re more ready for a smaller home than you realized. Or perhaps you’ll recognize a few things you want to make sure your next home includes.
Both are helpful as we begin working through your downsizing plans.
One of the things we enjoy about helping people through the downsizing process is figuring out what their next home really needs to offer. We can help you consider the space, storage, furniture, family gatherings, and everyday routines that matter to you, then build a plan around those priorities.
So have a little fun with this holiday experiment! Try a few things differently and enjoy seeing what works for you.
And if it gets you thinking more seriously about downsizing in the coming year, we’d love to help you take that next step. We can talk through what you’re hoping for, what questions you have, and how to begin preparing for a move that fits your life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still host family holidays after downsizing?
Of course! We can help you look for a smaller home with the entertaining space you want. We’ll consider things like dining room size, flexible furniture arrangements, kitchen space, and where everyone will gather.
Should I start getting rid of holiday decorations now if I’m considering downsizing?
We recommend first thinking about which decorations you enjoy and want to use in the future. As we help you plan for your next home, we can work through storage needs and what makes sense to keep, pass along, donate, or sell. If you decide to pass items along, AARP has ideas for selling, donating, and recycling belongings.
What if I try simplifying the holidays and don’t like it?
That’s something worth knowing! Downsizing is about finding a home that fits your priorities, and we want to understand those priorities before you make major decisions. Enjoying certain traditions doesn’t mean downsizing isn’t possible. It just gives us more to consider as we work through your options.
If you’re thinking about downsizing and want a clear place to start, you can begin with our Free Downsizing Guide:
https://downsizingroadmap.com/guide/
If you prefer to learn by listening, you can explore The Downsizing Roadmap Podcast:
https://downsizingroadmap.com/downsizing-roadmap-podcast/
We share ongoing insights on our Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/downsizingroadmap/
You’re also welcome inside our private Facebook group, Downsizing & Decluttering Community | Simplify Your Next Chapter, where people ask questions and share experiences:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/456269625127772
And if you’re ready to talk through your situation, reach out here:
https://downsizingroadmap.com/help/
Jodi Rosko and Heather Fisher and Downsizing Roadmap work with clients every day to help them move through downsizing with a clear plan, so progress can happen without creating more stress along the way.
