Step 1

Inspect all your decorations and if they are broken, toss; wrinkled or misshapen, let go; missing a piece - bye, bye.  Loved the three foot nutcracker last year but now not so much?  Donate him.  Have an angel treetop but you'd rather have a star?  She goes in the donation box too.

Step 2

 
Plug in every strand of lights - indoor and outdoor.  If they don't light up, time for recycle or trash.  If they are multi-colored and you like all white, donate them.  Plug in every other lighted decoration - electric candles, outdoor santas, and lighted wreaths.  If the bulb can be replaced and you have one, do it now.  If you still really love the item and want to use it again but don't have a bulb, put it on your shopping list (which as you know, goes on your calendar because if you don't schedule it, it doesn't get done!)

Step 3

Next comes decorating - the tree, mantle, door, staircase, outdoors -- everything -- then see what's left.  If you didn't use all the lights this year, you won't use them next year so donate them.  The same is true for any decorations.  Hanging on because the kids made them and you would feel guilty if you let them go?  If something isn't special enough to display and you still want to keep it, put it in a keepsake box and tuck it away in the attic.  Better yet, take a photo or do a little video clip speaking your memory of the item.  You then have a lasting memento and you don't have to hang on to unused items. 

Step 4
Buy a sparkly new decoration if you see something you would love to have!  The trade-off is that something has to go.  Who doesn't love to see all the new decorations at the mall?  Have fun with this process, be kind to yourself and in donating your holiday items before December 1, you will be kind to a family who can use your decorations.