Whenever I hear the story of a senior who is de-cluttering their home in a creative way, I take note.  De-cluttering, downsizing and rightsizing your stuff is no easy task, and any way a person can make the process easier, more fun or even less dreadful – it’s an idea worth sharing!

IDEA:  A Christmas Auction

One fantastic idea I heard a couple of months ago from a man who attended one of my presentations is a tradition he has started with his family called  “Grandpa’s Christmas Auction.”  Each year, when the grandkids are all gathered at his house, he hands out Monopoly money to each child and places items he is ready to let go of onto the dining room table.  He gives the children time to peruse the items, and then the auction begins!  Each grandchild can “bid” on items, and each item goes to the highest bidder!

What I love about this idea is that it not only lightens the load of the grandparents, but it finds a creative way to pass these items on to grandkids who have enough interest in the item to bid on it!  And, better still, the entire family is creating a memory by doing this activity together.  Someday, 25 years from now, those grandkids will be all grown up, and their grandfather might very well be passed on.  But they will look at those items they purchased at “Grandpa’s Christmas Auction” and remember not only their grandfather, but the fun times they had bidding against their cousins, winning the item, and the whole family participating in this fun activity.

IDEA:  House-Cooling Party

Another creative idea is to host a house-cooling party (the opposite of a house-warming party).  Invite over all your friends, family, and neighbors and let them know that you are moving – everyone should find at least one thing they would like to have or could use from your home, and take it OUT with them!  You just might be surprised at what walks out the door.

Furniture, lamps, artwork, special pieces of décor just might find a new home this way.  What about the camping equipment from the garage?  A rake or the snow shovel?  Who needs a hammer or two, and a few screwdrivers?  Keeping going – what about extra pantry items?  Could family and friends help you make a dent in your 6 month supply of paper towels you are storing in the basement?  Go ahead, spread the wealth amongst your family, friends and neighbors with a house cooling party.