Allston Christmas—a magical time of year when the streets of Allston, Massachusetts, transform into a wonderland of abandoned furniture, quirky decor, and mysterious treasures. Whether you’re a seasoned local or a wide-eyed newbie, this annual event is as much a rite of passage as it is a scavenger hunt. So grab your hand sanitizer and a friend with a truck—let’s dive into the madness that is Allston Christmas 2024!
What Is Allston Christmas?
For the uninitiated, Allston Christmas isn’t a holiday about exchanging gifts, hanging stockings, or singing carols. It’s the chaotic period at the end of August and the beginning of September when Boston’s student population moves in and out, leaving behind a trail of discarded belongings that could either be trash or treasure, depending on your perspective. It’s like a giant, citywide yard sale—except everything’s free and there’s no one to negotiate with.
Can You Win Allston Christmas?
Allston Christmas does have a true winner – it is they who can find the coolest or most interesting piece. Last year’s winner brought home a sword – as in a weapon with a long metal blade. If you think you may find the winner – you can go to reddit to post a picture – all in good fun!
The Golden Rules of Allston Christmas
Before you hit the streets in search of that perfect free couch or one-of-a-kind lamp, let’s go over some essential rules to make your Allston Christmas experience a success.
1. The Early Bird Gets the Bed Bug-Free Mattress Timing is everything. The best stuff tends to get snatched up quickly, so if you’re serious about scoring, set your alarm and hit the streets early. But be cautious—anything soft and cushy (like mattresses) should be inspected with an FBI-level intensity for bed bugs. If in doubt, leave it out!
2. Bring a Buddy Navigating the narrow streets of Allston with a newly acquired coffee table can be a challenge. Bring a friend to help you carry your treasures or to serve as a second opinion on that “retro” chair you’re convinced will complete your living room aesthetic. Also, if things get dicey with another scavenger over a particularly nice find, it’s good to have backup.
3. Dress for Success This isn’t the time for fashion statements. Think functional: sturdy shoes, gloves, and clothes you don’t mind getting a bit dirty. You’ll be bending, lifting, and occasionally diving into piles of stuff, so you want to be prepared. Plus, you never know what kind of strange liquids have spilled on that otherwise perfect bookshelf.
4. Inspect, Inspect, Inspect! Just because something looks good from a distance doesn’t mean it’s not hiding a fatal flaw. Check for wobbly legs, mysterious stains, or that unmistakable smell of regret. A quick inspection can save you from bringing home a piece that you’ll end up discarding during next year’s Allston Christmas.
5. Know When to Walk Away Sometimes, you’ll find yourself trying to justify why you need a neon “Taco Tuesdays Forever” sign or a slightly cracked garden gnome. It’s important to know when to walk away. Remember, it’s only a deal if you actually need it. If it feels like a stretch, it probably is. There’s always more around the corner!
6. Have A Good Moving Company On Speed-dial We recommend Boston Movers
The Best Spots to Scavenge
While Allston is the epicenter, the Allston Christmas spirit spills over into neighboring areas. Here are some top spots to find the best loot:
- Harvard Ave & Brighton Ave: This area is prime territory for discarded IKEA furniture, quirky art, and the occasional vintage find. Get there early to beat the competition.
- Commonwealth Ave: With its high concentration of student housing, Commonwealth Ave is a goldmine for everything from futons to mini-fridges.
- Packard’s Corner: If you’re on the hunt for kitchen appliances or slightly-used electronics, this area is your go-to.
- In my travels around Greater Boston, three of the best neighborhoods for finding roadside goodies are Cambridgeport, Allston, and the North End. Beacon Hill and Back Bay are honorable mentions, but have a lower population of college students.
Bonus tip: If you’re feeling adventurous, venture into Brookline or Cambridge—rich students discard the good stuff.
How to Decorate with Your Allston Christmas Finds
Congratulations! You’ve survived the scavenger hunt and now your apartment is filled with, well, stuff. Here are a few tips to turn your random finds into a cohesive (or at least acceptable) living space:
- Mix and Match: Embrace the eclectic nature of your Allston Christmas haul. That mismatched dining set? Call it “bohemian.” The couch that’s a different color from every angle? “Retro chic.”
- DIY It: A little sandpaper and some paint can turn a scratched-up table into a Pinterest-worthy piece. Plus, it’s a great way to make something truly your own.
- Less Is More: Resist the temptation to keep everything you find. Your apartment should be livable, not a storage unit. If it doesn’t fit, or if you’re questioning your decision in the harsh light of day, let it go.
A Few Final Words of Wisdom
Remember, Allston Christmas is as much about the experience as it is about the stuff. Embrace the chaos, laugh at the absurdity, and enjoy the thrill of the hunt. And when you’re sitting in your newly furnished apartment, surrounded by your eclectic finds, you’ll have a story for every piece—whether it’s the couch you had to wrestle from two other scavengers or the lamp you found that just barely fits in your living room. If you do get stuck without movers on August 31 and September 1 – you can call Mastodon Moving