I regret to inform you that Christmas is scarily close – a matter of weeks away. While in theory that’s a good thing (peace and goodwill, mince pies, etc, etc), the reality is often pretty hectic. The buying, decorating, planning, and endless cooking are one thing; the post-unwrapping living room carnage is another, especially if your kids don’t exactly embrace a minimalist lifestyle when it comes to their toys as it is. Which is why some experts, like Max Wilson, co-founder of Pocket Storage , say trying a “toy rotation” now can help you come 25 December. What is a “toy rotation”? Organisation blogger Tidy Dad described a situation many parents will be familiar with: when he kept all of his kids’ toys in a single playroom, his daughter would “eventually move every toy from a bin onto the floor, leaving no room to play or to walk through the space”. Since then, though, he adopted a “toy rotation” system: basically, he leaves the majority of his children’s toys in a kitchen pantry out of reach, swapping them out every couple of days so they can still enjoy some variety. That way, there are never enough items in a single space to truly crowd the carpet. Speaking to Homes & Gardens, Wilson said he’s a huge fan of the strategy. “The secret to a stress-free Christmas morning is making space now... By implementing a strategic toy rotation... you instantly clear physical space, curb impulse buying, and make room for the new gifts without feeling overwhelmed.” He recommended getting going in November. But with vanishingly few days left in the month as of the time of writing, we reckon “ASAP” is the second-best start date. How often should I swap out toys in a “toy rotation”? Wilson said it’s a good idea to change the “curated” toys you have out every few weeks. Life With Less Mess said that, depending on how many toys you have out at any given time, anything from once a week to once or twice a month could work. They added that you might get some cues from your child or children when it’s time to change the rotation, too – they might start fighting over toys, leaving them on the floor, and/or seeming bored. When this happens, the organisation site advised, “either involve your kids or wait until they’re gone or sleeping and surprise them with a ‘new’ space”. If you can, try placing toys in labelled containers – this’ll make packing and unpacking a lot easier. Related... Do You Have ‘Aspirational Clutter’? Here’s What You Should Know. I Tried The 90/90 Organisation Rule, And My Home Has Never Had Less Clutter Overwhelmed By Clutter? The 'Pick Up Every Item' Method Can Help