5 Secrets for a Clutter-Free Holiday

Give the Gift of Time

"Everyone has had the experience of opening a present and thinking, 'Oh, no, not another scented candle or box of chocolates,'" says Walsh. If what you want from this holiday is to feel close to your loved ones, why not spend time with them? Treat your aunt to dinner at her favorite restaurant; take salsa lessons with your sister; arrange a night at the theater with your best friend. "For many of us, last year's gift is long forgotten—relegated to the back of the closet or cluttering a drawer," Walsh says. "But the memory of a shared experience will be cherished for decades."

Next: Peter Walsh's holiday clutter makeover