Clear Christmas clutter - save time, money and stress

Professional de-clutterer Angella Gilbert said no one should feel guilty about re-gifting unwanted Christmas gifts. Photo / Michael Craig

Clearing out Christmas clutter will save you time, money and could bring more happiness than the entire festive season say experts.

Guilt dealing with unwanted gifts and trying to find space for newly acquired items can cause stress and unhappiness says professional de-clutterer Angella Gilbert.

"At Christmas especially there is an increased flow of things into the house and there needs to also be a flow out otherwise it drains energy," Auckland based Gilbert said.

"When people don't have space for something it sits in a pile in the lounge and can be a source of guilt and stress."

The clutter left after Christmas can be stressful and overwhelming. Photo / supplied

Gilbert urged people to start the new year with "a place for everything and everything in its place."

People waste money replacing items they can't find and can spend hours each week searching for things from car keys, books to lunchboxes.

"At one house I went to the woman had five reams of paper because she could never find any so kept buying them," Gilbert said.

"That is a lot of money wasted on something she would have found if it was in its place."

With the benefits of simplified living touted in documentaries such as The Minimalists and Marie Kondo's book Spark Joy, clearing the clutter has never been more on-trend.

The Minimalists, which is currently trending on Netflix, follows American's Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus who found happiness through pursuing the minimalist lifestyle in 2010.

Japanese author Marie Kondo's book Spark Joy has sold millions of copies and provides illustrations on how to de-clutter and tidy the home.

Gilbert said books were a great start and worked for self-motivated people but quite often people who accumulated clutter struggled and needed someone to physically help.

Through her business Gioia - which is Italian for joy - Gilbert can be hired for the day to de-clutter and organise homes and businesses.

"I have arrived at people's homes and haven't been able to get into the spare room because it has been filled with stuff," Gilbert said.

She said clearing the clutter can be an emotional time. Especially if the house has been disorganised for some time.

"One woman was in tears when I left, she said to me "I can finally breathe"," Gilbert said.

Gilbert said Christmas gifts - which were meant to bring joy - sometimes did the opposite.

"If someone doesn't have the space large presents can bring added stress because there is no where for them to go," Gilbert said.

"People should never feel bad about giving to charity a Christmas gift that will not add anything to their life."

And Gilbert urged gift givers to take responsibility next Christmas.

"I would say for them to think about the person and whether they have the need or the space for the gift you are giving."

"Giving an experience such as movie or book vouchers or a spa experience is a great idea and people really appreciate the thought."

Before you keep/buy something ask yourself:

• Where is this going to live in my house?
• Do I have room for it?
• Do I need it?
• Do I like it?
• Can it replace something I am ready to throw out?

If you don't want an item sell it or donate it - even if it cost you money.