Where Do You Start to Declutter Before Christmas
Figuring out how to declutter for the Christmas holiday can seem like a daunting task.
But don’t worry!
We will break it down into simple steps to make it less overwhelming.
Have a plan for the job because then you won’t feel so much stress over it.
Do cleaning and organizing give you anxiety? You can follow my easy 15-minute cleaning technique to help ease the stress.
If all you can do is clean for a concentrated 15 minutes a day, you will spend 7.5 hours cleaning every 30 days.
So, what about our Christmas declutter?
This book on a clutter-free home is what got me started on my journey. The smaller book is a companion that is easier to digest because of its small size.
If you are overwhelmed and have a hard time getting started, I highly recommend both books.
Sandi Welch is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
31 Days to a Clutter Free Life
Unstuffed Decluttering Your Home, Mind & Soul
Christmas and Holiday Decorations
Cleaning out decorations is easy to do when you get ready for fall. Every year, I try to go through Christmas decorations while I get ready to decorate for fall and Thanksgiving.
Doing so means that you can donate any decorations you will not use again so that someone else can benefit in the current year.
While decluttering, look for any decorations or Christmas themed items that don’t suit your current taste or current trends.
Something else to keep in mind is rotating your decorations for the holiday season. Choose some for 2020 and then rotate next year for some of your other Christmas decor. Rotating will make it feel like you have something new and different than the year before.
One thing to consider is if you have glass or fragile ornaments. Fragile holiday decorations are dangerous when a crawling baby is in the house. Cats and dogs are also good at knocking down ornaments and breaking them.
We learned this lesson the hard way in my home because kittens are inquisitive, and they love Christmas trees. Now is an excellent time to switch out fragile decorations with unbreakable ones.
By the same token simplifying your decorations will make the holiday less stressful. Cleaning up afterward will be much easier as well.
Where to Start De-Cluttering Around the House
How to Organize in the Kitchen for the Holiday Season
Gathering together for a meal is a big part of celebrating Christmas with family and friends. Therefore, we need to make sure that the kitchen is cleaned and ready for entertaining.
How much you need to accomplish will largely depend on what your responsibilities will be for the season. Will you be hosting a large gathering as well as overnight guests in your home? You will probably want to do a big declutter and organization job in preparation.
My post on decluttering the kitchen will get you from start to finish with little trouble.
To celebrate with a small intimate gathering, you can follow these tips to help you prepare.
- Clear counters of clutter.
- Clear off the top of the refrigerator.
- Clean out the refrigerator to make room for the food prep.
- Toss old spices and stock up on ones you need for the holiday season.
- Make sure your pans and serving dishes are clean and ready for all the yummy food.
- Check your inventory of paper goods and kitchen essentials such as foil, paper towels, trash bags, and resealable plastic bags.
- Check on your supply of any holiday-themed items you use in the kitchen such as cupcake liners, treat bags for holiday cookies, and holiday-themed throwaway containers.
Finally, we can move on to other parts of your home.
Organize in the Family Room for the Holidays
When I think of the family room, and holidays the first thing that comes to my mind is a cozy fire and soft blankets.
Is it really the holidays without either of those things?
You want your family and guests to feel at home and comfortable in the space, so let’s look at how to make that happen.
- Clear out any paper clutter, including newspapers and magazines.
- Declutter any school books, technology items, shoes, or jackets that are strewn about.
- Organize and put away any movies or gaming items, taking up space.
- Make sure to put away the boxes and totes after you decorate for the Christmas holiday.
- Wash blankets that are used in the family room so that they are fresh for the occasion.
- Clear off any flat surfaces to make room for drinks and phones that people will be using.
Declutter in the Bedrooms
The bedrooms in your home may not be a big concern for you if overnight guests are not expected. However, it is still a good idea to give them a sprucing up.
- Clear out any old toys and clothing to make room for Christmas gifts from the current year.
- Clear out any paper clutter and organize books, school items, or current projects.
- Make sure to wash the sheets and put them back on the bed, fresh and clean.
- Put shoes away in the closet and take any dirty dishes to the kitchen.
Now your rooms are ready for any simple holiday decorations you might want to use.
Declutter and Organize the Bathrooms
Yes, bathrooms are one of the most dreaded when it comes to cleaning and organizing. That’s why it is closer to the end of this blog post. It would be best if you had some easy wins before getting to this part.
See what I did there?
The task doesn’t need to be a big deal. Sometimes we build things up in our mind to make them way bigger than they really are.
It’s just a bathroom.
You can do this!
Here are my recommendations for decluttering the bathroom. Once it is decluttered, you will find it much easier to clean.
- Clear out any old shampoo, conditioner, and body wash bottles.
- Clear out old lotion bottles, too.
- Go through your first aid items and any over the counter meds you have and clean out anything old or expired.
- Get rid of any towels or wash clothes that are stained or smell of mildew.
- If you have hotel shampoo, conditioner, and body wash, be sure and clear out the ones half-used.
- Put the ones that are suitable for guests to use in a pretty basket or another small container.
- Stock your bathrooms with toilet paper.
- A great option for this year is to stock your bathroom with Kleenex Expressions Hand Towels.
Holiday scented candles set the atmosphere in any home. I usually buy a different brand but found these candles handmade in the USA to be an even better option! Plus, they are 100% soy wax, which burns cleaner. You will have much less black soot with soy.
Your Outdoor Areas
Let’s not forget the outdoor space! After all, the outside area is what gives the first impression to guests coming for a visit. You don’t need to spend a lot of time. Address areas that need the most attention and will give the best transformation.
Anything else can wait for spring.
- Rake up dead leaves.
- Clean up any dead potted plants.
- Sweep the porch, walkway, and driveway.
- Pick up any clutter in the yard and put it in the proper place.
- Store water hoses away for the winter.
- Clean up any outdoor plants, trees, or evergreens to give them a fresh look.
- Add a festive wreath to the door for a welcoming vibe.
And that’s it! That’s how you declutter for the Christmas holiday.
In Conclusion
To summarize, remember that decluttering does not have to be a dreaded task. It isn’t something you need to do all at once unless you want to.
Take a room at a time and declutter as little or as much as you prefer.
The goal is to make things better than when you began so that your home is welcoming and cozy for all who cross the threshold.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you and yours. 🎁