How to Declutter Holiday Decorations You Don’t Love

Declutter holiday decorations you don’t love with this simple guide. Learn how to simplify, organize, and create a festive home with less stress

The holiday season is a time for joy, celebration, and creating a warm, festive home. But let’s face it: holiday decorations can quickly become overwhelming. Boxes of ornaments, tangled lights, and outdated wreaths might leave you feeling more stressed than merry. The truth is, not every decoration deserves a place in your home—or your storage. Decluttering your holiday decorations can make your season more peaceful, your home more inviting, and your decorating process simpler. Here’s how to tackle and declutter holiday decorations and keep only the ones you truly love.

1. Start With a Clear Goal

Before diving into your holiday decor, set a clear goal for what you want to accomplish. Ask yourself:

• Do I want to simplify my decorating process?
• Do I want to make more room in my storage space?
• Do I want my home to reflect a specific style or theme this year?

Having a goal in mind will keep you focused and help you make confident decisions as you declutter.

2. Take Everything Out

The best way to declutter is to see everything you have. Pull all your holiday decorations out of storage and lay them out where you can easily sort through them. This process helps you see duplicates, items you’ve forgotten about, or decorations that no longer fit your style.

3. Sort Into Categories

Once everything is laid out, group your decorations into categories like ornaments, lights, wreaths, garlands, and figurines. Sorting by type allows you to evaluate how much you have in each category and spot redundancies.

4. Ask Yourself the Right Questions

As you go through each item, use these questions to decide what to keep:

• Do I love this? If it doesn’t bring you joy or fit your vision for your home, let it go.
• Do I use this? Decorations that stay in the box year after year are taking up valuable space.
• Is it in good condition? Broken lights, chipped ornaments, or frayed garlands may not be worth holding onto.
• Does this hold sentimental value? Keep meaningful items, but be selective—only keep what truly matters.

5. Let Go Without Guilt

It’s easy to feel guilty about letting go of holiday decorations, especially if they were gifts or have been part of your collection for years. But remember, holding onto things you don’t love or use doesn’t honor their purpose. Someone else may find joy in the items you no longer want. Donate gently used decorations to a thrift store, church, or community center so they can brighten someone else’s holiday.

6. Keep the Best, Not the Most

When decluttering, focus on quality over quantity. A few well-loved, beautiful decorations can create just as much (if not more) holiday magic than an overload of mismatched items. Keeping your favorites ensures your home feels cohesive and joyful without the clutter.

7. Organize What You Keep

Once you’ve decided what to keep, organize your decorations for easy access next year. Use labeled storage bins, wrap delicate items in tissue paper, and store lights neatly to avoid tangling. Consider storing by category or by the room where decorations are used.

Pro Tip: Clear bins make it easy to see what’s inside without digging through multiple boxes.

8. Plan for the Future

As you decorate this year, be mindful of what you’re using. If something doesn’t make it out of the box or onto your walls, it may be a sign that it’s time to let it go. Consider starting a “maybe” box for items you’re unsure about—if you don’t miss them by next year, you can part with them.

Benefits of Declutter Holiday Decorations

• Less Stress: Decorating becomes easier and more enjoyable when you know exactly what you have and love.
• More Space: Freeing up storage space makes your home feel more organized.
• A Clearer Vision: With fewer distractions, your home can reflect your unique holiday style.

A Peaceful and Joyful Holiday

Declutter holiday decorations doesn’t mean losing the magic of the season—it means making room for what matters most. By letting go of what you don’t love, you create a simpler, more intentional holiday that reflects your heart and home.

More Simple Decluttering Inspiration…

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• How to Quickly and Easily Declutter Living Spaces