Blessed, I know some people think ALL their junk is very precious stuff that anybody should love. I don't think that way. If stuff is used and good for me that's enough. For others it might not be. I saw what happened when XDH died. The kids did not make the time to come and go through everything and keep things for themselves. They came I think twice, DSiL took a dishwasher and a hot water tank for their house. I don't think they did anything else.
I went over and twice a week emptied food stuffs that would have gone bad and attracted who knows what. I took personal things with names and medical records and got rid of for privacy sake for our family. There were things I could have taken and kept for grandchildren coming along, halloween costumes I'd sewed, etc. some nice toys, but I felt if the kids didn't bother with any of that I wouldn't either, I wasn't sure it was my place then. And I didn't have the space either. I found things like a wedding ring and a college class ring I gave to them. The rest of it just got left.
I don't want that to happen to my stuff. Nobody thinks about our stuff the way we do because it's OURS and not theirs. Others don't have the attachment to these things that we do. I get that. So I am trying to not have gobs of excess stuff that some day will just be a burden to others and will just get tossed away. That's what I think about DH's shop now. All that stuff means nothing to me, just to him, and I will probably throw most of it away if I am left with that chore. For him it's all gold.
As for Christmas, as I put the tree up, bulbs and stuff I'm not using will be donated. I'm not keeping extras any more. I feel like I have too much stuff but I like it and will just be mindful not to add anything more to all that.
Adding to my list here: 9/19 I tossed a couple worn out towels and a coffee travel mug that was cracked. I threw away a few electronic parts that aren't useful any more. I cleaned off the bulletin board in the office, no need to keep some of that stuff out any more. Mostly shuffling things around, putting a few things in folders, but it looks neat and tidy now. I am noticing the difference in some places around here now. Makes me smile. I keep listening to videos from a couple people, finding that motivating.