Decluttering for the Holidays: How to Clear Out Spaces Before the Season Arrives

Decluttering for the Holidays? Clear out your home before the holidays to make room for decorations, and stress-free holiday celebrations!

The holidays are just around the corner, and with them come the joys of festive decorations, family gatherings, and an influx of seasonal activities. However, before you start stringing up lights and preparing for guests, there’s one task that can make your holiday season run smoother: decluttering. Today let’s talk about decluttering for the holidays!

Clearing out your spaces before the holidays is a game-changer. It not only makes room for holiday decorations but also creates a sense of peace and organization in your home, allowing you to truly enjoy the festivities. In this post, we’ll walk through practical tips on how to declutter before the holiday hustle begins, ensuring your home feels warm, welcoming, and ready for all the joy this season brings.

Why Declutter Before the Holidays?

The holiday season tends to come with extra stuff—decorations, gifts, and perhaps guests staying over. Without preparation, this can lead to feeling overwhelmed. A clutter-free home provides several benefits during the holidays:

1. More Space for Decorations: Decorating is much easier when your surfaces aren’t already crowded with everyday items. Plus, you can highlight your favorite holiday pieces without overwhelming your home.

2. Room for Guests: Whether it’s out-of-town family or just a holiday party, clearing out unused items will free up space for extra seating, guest beds, and entertaining.

3. Less Stress: A tidy home is a peaceful home. Starting the season with less clutter means less stress for you and your family. It gives you more time to focus on what matters most—enjoying the season and making memories.

4. Easier Clean-Up: When you’ve already decluttered, post-holiday clean-up becomes a breeze. With fewer things in the way, you’ll be able to tidy up quickly and efficiently.

1. Start with High-Traffic Areas

During the holidays, high-traffic areas like the living room, kitchen, and entryway get a lot of use. These are the spaces where you’ll entertain guests, cook holiday meals, and maybe even exchange gifts. That’s why it’s smart to begin decluttering in these areas first.

• Living Room: Remove any items that aren’t regularly used, such as extra blankets, magazines, or unused decor. Make sure surfaces are clear enough for holiday decorations or trays of festive treats. If you have kids, consider putting away some of their toys to create more space for guest seating or a Christmas tree.

• Kitchen: Your kitchen is the heart of the holidays, whether you’re baking cookies or cooking a family meal. Go through your pantry and toss out expired items to make room for holiday ingredients. Clear off countertops by storing away small appliances you don’t use daily.

• Entryway: First impressions count, and your entryway is the first thing guests will see. Create a welcoming, clutter-free space by removing excess shoes, jackets, and bags. Add a simple holiday wreath or garland for a festive touch without the clutter.

These Christmas Wreaths were a fun DIY for the Season! How to Make Simple Mini Christmas Wreaths

2. Declutter Guest Rooms and Closets

If you’re hosting overnight guests during the holidays, now is the time to prepare those spaces. Clear out any personal items that might be stored in the guest room and make sure the space feels cozy and welcoming.

• Guest Room: Clear off surfaces like bedside tables and dressers, leaving space for your guests to place their belongings. Freshen up the room by removing anything that doesn’t belong, such as out-of-season clothing or storage bins. Add some simple holiday touches, like a cozy blanket or a bowl of mints, to make the room feel festive without overcrowding it.

• Closets: Guest closets can quickly become dumping grounds for miscellaneous items. Take the time to go through the closet and donate or store anything you no longer need. Make sure there’s space for guests to hang their clothes or store a suitcase.

3. Donate, Sell, or Store Items You Don’t Need

One of the best things about decluttering before the holidays is the opportunity to give back. If you come across items you no longer need or use, consider donating them to a local charity. Many organizations host holiday drives for clothing, toys, and household goods, and your decluttering efforts can make a difference in someone else’s holiday.

If you have larger items that you want to sell, now is a good time to post them online. Clearing out these items before the holidays not only makes space in your home but could give you a little extra cash to spend on holiday shopping.

For seasonal items or things you still want but don’t use daily, consider putting them in storage until after the holidays. Tuck away anything that doesn’t serve a purpose right now to keep your home feeling light and airy during the season.

4. Create Decluttering Zones

Tackling your whole house at once can feel overwhelming, so break it down into manageable zones. Focus on one space at a time, starting with the rooms that will be most used during the holidays.

• Day 1: The Living Room: Clear out surfaces, organize bookshelves, and create space for holiday decor.

• Day 2: Kitchen: Go through the pantry and refrigerator, discard old items, and organize cupboards.

• Day 3: The Guest Room: Prepare the space for overnight guests by removing clutter and adding cozy touches.

• Day 4: Entryway: Create a welcoming entrance by decluttering and adding a festive touch.

• Day 5: Closets and Storage Areas: Make sure there’s enough room for holiday coats, shoes, and guests’ belongings.

Breaking it down this way ensures you won’t get too overwhelmed, and you can easily fit these tasks into your busy schedule.

5. Don’t Forget Holiday-Specific Decluttering

Lastly, take some time to go through your holiday decorations themselves. We all have those strings of lights that no longer work or the ornaments that never make it onto the tree. Before you start decorating, go through your holiday decor and declutter what you no longer love or use.

• Lights: Test your holiday lights before you hang them. Toss any that no longer work or have missing bulbs.

• Ornaments: If you haven’t used certain ornaments in years, consider donating or passing them along to someone else.

• Holiday Linens and Dishes: Go through your holiday tablecloths, napkins, and dishware. Keep only what you’ll use this year, and store or donate the rest.

Clear out your home before the holidays to make room for decorations, and stress-free holiday celebrations!

Decluttering for the holidays is more than just tidying up—it’s about creating space for the things that matter most. Whether you’re hosting guests, putting up your favorite decorations, or simply preparing your home for the busy season, a clutter-free space will help you feel more relaxed and ready to enjoy the festivities.

This holiday season, give yourself the gift of a calm, organized home. Take the time to clear out the clutter now so that when the holidays arrive, you can focus on what’s most important: creating joyful memories with the people you love.