Although my daughter Madeline is only 18 months this Christmas, my husband and I started a few Christmas traditions as a family; In hopes to carry them on through the years and develop them as she grows.

One of the traditions I am most excited about is our First Annual Christmas Clean Out! This year we started the tradition in a very simple way. We chose a day (and trust me, it is a full day) and spent it cleaning out everything from our basement to our closets, and everything in between. We put everything that we no longer used or needed into baskets and bins. We even took many of our toys, clothes, and baby items that were no longer used of Maddie's and placed everything in bags to donate.

Although Maddie may be too young this Christmas to understand the meaning behind this tradition, we plan to implement some lessons behind the Annual Christmas Clean Out that we can teach her as she grows. One of the lessons that we discussed is that in place of the new things that Maddie will receive for Christmas, she will have to choose at least five toys (or items) that are in good condition to give to less fortunate kids; And the same goes for clothes that she no longer wears.

After sorting things out and donating to those in need, we cleaned up and organized our home; which makes everything feel less cluttered and also reminds you of how much we are truly blessed with!

This Annual Christmas Clean Out is one that I hope Maddie will learn to love as she grows older. It may not seem like fun to a young child to have to clean out, give away, and get organized; But I know it will teach her a powerful lesson when she sees just how blessed we truly are, and how good it feels to give to those in need!

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