How many seasonal items do you own?

By Caroline Bujold

[Updated] If you live somewhere in the world where there are distinct seasons, the answer is probably a lot.

Between camping gear, winter coats and boots, holiday decorations, BBQ and gardening tools, the sheer number of items dedicated specifically for seasonal use can quickly overwhelm your space. And if you have children the effect is compounded.

At the end of his 31Days2GetOrganized experiment, professional organizer Peter Walsh challenged people to pick three areas to organize to keep the momentum going. Seasonal items were one of the areas I wanted to organize.

Some areas are already pretty sorted and organized, like camping gear, but not all are streamlined.

Just to show you how many things we own, and because I love me a good list, here is ours:

Summer

• 2 Bikes + helmets
• 1 pair of biking shoes + gloves
• 2 pairs of rollerblades + protection
  
• 2 Snorkelling masks + snorkel
• 1 Frisbee
• 3 Games (bocce, horseshoes, croquet)
• 1 Pair of hiking boots (super old need replacement)

Winter

• 2 Pairs of snowshoes
• 2 Pairs of poles
• 2 Pairs of ice skates
• 1 Complete set of goalie equipment (old)

Christmas

• 1 Bin for lights
• 1 Bin for decorations
• 2 Wreathes
• 1 Garland
• 1 Bundle of decorative sticks

Gardening + BBQ

• 1 Fire pit (portable)
• 1 BBQ + cover + rotisserie
• 1 Set of cooking tools
• 1 Bistro table and 2 chairs
• 4 Stumps for extra fire pit seating
• 1 Hammock
• 1 Duffle bag of tableware: 3 table cloths and other gear for eating outside.
• 2 Pairs of rubber boots for gardening/yard work
• A few pots and gardening tools
• 12 Mason Jar Tea Lights (used in winter too)
• 1 Wheelbarrow

Travel

• 2 Roller suitcases (carry-on size)
• 2 Travel backpacks
• 2 Day packs
• 1 Foldable tote (great for going to the beach)
• 1 Laundry bag
• 2 Anti-theft day bags/purses
• 2 Travel pillows (inflatable)
• 1 Small bin (various: locks, pouches, etc.)

Tools (winter and summer)

• 5 Gardening shovels (different uses and sizes)
• 1 Snow shovel
• 2 Rakes
• 1 Bag holder
• 1 Hedge clipper (manual)
• 1 Hedge clipper (battery)
• 1 Lawnmower
• 3 Brooms different sizes and use
• 1 Hatchet
• 1 Sledge hammer (big)
• 3 Hoses + 2 Hose nozzles
• 2 Sprinklers (different types)

Camping

• 1 Tent (need to buy a bigger one)
• 2 Sleeping bags
• 2 Floor mats
• 3 Folding chairs
• 1 Bin for food making gear (pots, pans, plates, etc.)
• 1 Bin for food storage (nestled with the other one when empty)
• 1 Stove
• 1 Big cooler
• 2 Smaller coolers
• 1 Water container
• 2 Camping towels (chamois type)
• 2 Beach towels
• 3 Extra blankets
• 1 Portable Gazebo

And I don’t even want to start listing all the construction and car tools we have around, because that would just be crazy!

Seeing this list makes me freak out a little bit, but creating it is a great exercise to wrap my head around how much stuff we have. With a few pictures, this list could also serve as documentation for insurance, which is another thing I have been meaning to do.

For right now, most of the items are downstairs, tucked away on wooden shelves, except for gardening and BBQ tools that live in the shed.

What about your seasonal items? Any you could part with? Let me know in the comments below.

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