The holidays may feel like they’re still a ways off, but we all know how quickly they sneak up, bringing a whirlwind of events, shopping, decorating, party planning, and gift-giving. If you're feeling the pressure already like I am, one of the best ways to stay ahead of the holiday chaos is by decluttering your home now. A pre-holiday declutter not only makes your space more inviting for guests but also helps create a sense of calm before the hustle and bustle sets in.
My dear friend and professional organizer Jordan WIlde of Wildely Organized has decluttering and organized several spaces in my home. I am so excited to be partnering with her to share with you essential tips to help you declutter and organize your home before the festive season arrives and make room for joy.
Why Declutter and Organize before Christmas
Decluttering before the holidays creates space for the extra decorations, gifts, and supplies that come with the season, making your home feel more open and enjoyable. A well-organized home can help you avoid the holiday overwhelm and focus on what matters most—spending quality time with loved ones.
Beyond making your space more functional, decluttering encourages gratitude and generosity. Donating unused items teaches your family, especially children, the importance of giving back to those in need. while helping you take stock of what you own, avoiding unnecessary purchases and saving money. By clearing clutter now, you're setting yourself up for a smoother, more joyful holiday season.
Let's be real, this process also helps you take stock of what you already own, reducing the likelihood of buying duplicates or unnecessary items, which can ultimately save you money. By clearing the clutter now, you’re setting yourself up for a smoother, more enjoyable holiday season, and an easier transition into the new year.
What to Prioritize for Decluttering before Christmas
When it comes to decluttering before Christmas (and Thanksgiving), it’s best to prioritize key areas of your home rather than trying to tackle everything at once. The holiday season is already busy, so focusing on areas where guests gather, meals are prepared, and gifts are exchanged, along with high-traffic areas like closets and guest rooms can make a big difference. We can tackle organizing and decluttering the rest of the house in the new year.
Just remember that decluttering isn’t about perfection; it’s about creating space for the things that matter most and bring you joy. We can tackle more extensive organizing and decluttering in the rest of the house in the new year when life has calmed down.
Holiday Declutter Checklist
Are you ready to get tackling that clutter? Here are a few pre-holiday home organization ideas that will curb the clutter in five different areas of your home and that will help you make room for joy.
Start with Your Closets
A closet clean-out before the holidays is a fantastic way to feel grounded and calm. It not only helps you free up space, it also gives you a better idea of what you have and what you might need. You might find a winter coat you forgot you owned or a few gifts that didn’t make it under the tree last year. Start with your highest priority or quickest win closet and block off a couple of hours to declutter it. This time of the year is busy, and you probably won’t get to all of them, but cleaning out even one closet before the holiday season can help you feel more grounded, organized, and prepared.
How to Declutter:
- Pull everything out and sort through it.
- Get rid of toys, clothes, decor items, or linens that you no longer use.
- Take note of what you would like to replace or gift ideas.
Holiday Impact: When you're done, you feel lighter and more organized. You’ll know exactly what you have, making it easier to dress, decorate, and buy gifts during the holidays. Plus, you might even uncover some gently-used or new items that could be gifted or repurposed!
Declutter Your Kids’ Rooms
It’s so hard to stay ahead of the clutter in kids’ rooms— between school projects, outgrown clothes, and forgotten toys, things pile up fast. Decluttering before the holidays will not only give you a fresh start, but it will help you figure out what gifts your kids actually need and want.
How to Declutter:
- Start with their closets and dressers. Fill donation bags with everything they’ve outgrown or no longer use.
- Go through their toys and games. If they haven’t played with something in the last six months, it might be time to donate or give it away.
- Let your kids help. If they’re young, explain that to make room for new toys, they must donate what they no longer want to another child who does. This gives your child a sense of ownership over their things and allows them to help others.
Holiday Impact: You’ll be able to see exactly what your kids already have. Maybe they don’t need more clothes or toys, and you can focus on other gifts, like experiences or hobbies. Also, your home will feel less cluttered when the influx of new holiday gifts arrives.
Streamline Your Kitchen
Most kitchens are central hubs during the holidays for cooking, baking, and entertaining, and a little pre-holiday organization will go a long way!
How to Declutter:
- Go through your pantry, fridges, and freezers. Toss expired items and other things you don’t need.
- Take inventory of your ingredients and cookware, keeping a list of what you need to purchase for cooking, baking, and other holiday festivities.
- If you are hosting, locate the table settings, dishware, and decor you plan on using. Taking inventory now will make planning and prepping for your event less stressful during the season.
Holiday Impact: Decluttering and taking inventory of your kitchen for the holidays helps you stress less and feel more prepared during the season.You also create more room for storing all those extra ingredients, goodies, potluck dishes, and leftovers that make their way into your kitchen.
Tidy Up the Bathrooms
Bathrooms are often one of the most overlooked areas when it comes to decluttering, yet it’s a place where clutter can quickly build up with old makeup, expired products, and overflowing towels. A quick bathroom refresh helps you figure out what items you or others might want as gifts or need going into the holiday.
How to Declutter:
- Toss expired medications, old cosmetics, and toiletries you no longer use.
- Organize towels and linens, keeping only what’s necessary.
- Clean and wipe down cabinets and drawers before putting everything back.
Holiday Impact: A decluttered bathroom makes it easier to find what you need in a pinch, and it gives your home a fresh, clean feel. You’ll also avoid any frantic searches for extra soap or towels when guests arrive for holiday gatherings.
Tackle the Playroom
Get your kids involved in this one! Tell them if they want new toys, they need to make room. Give them a goal to hit on space or toy count. If you do Elf on the Shelf or any other fun traditions, you could have a little fun with it. Perhaps a note from the elf asking for donations or a request for more space.
How to Declutter:
- Sort through toys, books, and games. Donate toys your kids no longer play with and toss the broken ones.
- Group toys by type (LEGOs, dolls, puzzles) and store them in clearly labeled bins.
- Make use of shelving and storage units to keep things off the floor and tidy.
Holiday Impact: A decluttered playroom means less mess during the holiday season and more space for new gifts. You’ll also have a clearer sense of what your kids enjoy, so you can choose more thoughtful gifts.
* BONUS: Go Through Your Gift-Wrapping Supplies
You probably have a stash of holiday gift-wrapping supplies stored somewhere in your home. Organizing your wrapping supplies will help you keep wrapping enjoyable and efficient during the holidays. If you get it done now, you’ll know what gift-wrapping items you need to buy and what you can reuse.
How to Declutter:
- Toss any torn wrapping paper, used gift bags, and ribbons that have seen better days.
- Group your remaining supplies—paper, bows, ribbons, and tags—into bins or boxes.
- Keep your holiday wrapping bin or drawer separate from other wrapping supplies to avoid clutter and make it easy to store.
Holiday Impact: Decluttering your gift-wrapping supplies saves you time and last-minute trips to the store. Plus, when it comes time to wrap gifts, everything will be organized and easy to find!
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