Monday Minimalist: Boxing Day

Are you familiar with Boxing Day? In much of the world, Boxing Day has become just another post-holiday shopping day. In fact, many countries officially move the day to the 27^th of December if the 26^th falls on a Sunday! There is even a Cyber Boxing Day now. Just what we need, right? Another day of boosted consumerism. Consume, consume, consume! Ugh.

Boxing Day Montreal 2010
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As I understand it, the original idea behind Boxing Day was to go through your belongings and weed out items that you no longer needed, items that were replaced with gifts you received for Giftmas (Christmas). As a minimalist, I think this sounds like a perfect holiday!

Were you able to thin down your kids' toy boxes before the holiday? If not, I'm sure you've become keenly aware of how much space all those new toys take! If you couldn't motivate your kids pre-giftmas, perhaps Boxing Day can help motivate them post-giftmas. Some people even have a 1 item in, 1 item out sort of rule. We're not so strict... at least not at this point. Its tempting at times, especially when someone randomly gives our daughter a large toy!

There are plenty of sites out there all about Boxing Day. Check them out, share them with your kids, and then help them choose items they no longer need based on all their new stuff. This can apply to clothes and other items, too. It also applies to everyone in the household, not just the kids. It can be a great way to spend the day on a joint effort to find items that are ready for new homes. Those items can go to help others in need. Perhaps your kids can even help choose how / where to donate / distribute their stuff!

Boxing Day is actually next Monday, but I wanted to mention it in advance so you can plan for it. Have you ever practiced / celebrated Boxing Day? Do you think you will this year? Perhaps you can use your Boxing Day for a Monday Minimalist post of your own!


Let me know if you have a Monday Minimalist post and I'll share it on my blog.

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