Almost every American reading this will be starting to get excited about the Christmas holidays, which are rapidly approaching. One thing you’re probably not looking for, though, is all the clutter that the holiday period comes with, such as gifts, stocking fillers, decorations, and Christmas food. However, this stuff is unavoidable, and we love it really, so all we can do is have a declutter before Christmas, especially when it comes to the following areas.
Craft Supplies
If holiday crafting is part of your seasonal traditions, organizing supplies can make the process smoother. Check if anything is dried out or unusable, recycle it, and gather what’s left in a dedicated spot. With everything in place, holiday projects like making decorations or handmade gifts become easier and more enjoyable.
Kitchen Countertops
As Christmas gets closer, we’d recommend clearing out unused items from your kitchen countertops. This will help you to create a functional and organized workspace, making holiday meal prep and treats more manageable. Remove any small appliances, stacks of paper, or extra utensils that don’t serve a purpose, and get ready to replace them with eggnog and Brussels sprouts!
Pantry Shelves
Organizing your pantry with a declutter is also a solid idea, as is removing any expired items to make space for all the Christmas food that you’ll be buying. It’s a good time to check expiration dates, toss what’s past its prime, and replace them with seasonal ingredients. This way, everything you need will be accessible and easy to find when it’s time to prepare festive treats and feasts.
Refrigerator and Freezer
Just like with your pantry, give your refrigerator and freezer a clean-out, especially when it comes to expired items from the refrigerator and items that have been cluttering your freezer all year. Clearing some space now allows you to store holiday ingredients and leftovers without overcrowding, and you’ll avoid losing items to the back and keep everything fresh for the big meals ahead.
Holiday Decorations
It might sound counterintuitive, but now is the perfect time to sort through your holiday decorations and throw out anything that is outdated. You might think that you can never have too many decorations, but in reality, having a clear-out will keep your collection in good condition and aligned with your style. Obviously, you shouldn’t throw out any heirlooms, but you shouldn’t feel bad about throwing away broken Christmas lights, damaged ornaments, or any other decorations that are worse for wear.
Gift-Wrapping Supplies
You’ll soon be wrapping all sorts of gifts for your loved ones, making it a good time to organize your gift-wrapping supplies like paper, ribbons, and tape. This will prevent the hassle of running out at the last minute, as well as sifting through unusable supplies. So, go through your collection, toss out any torn or unusable items, and consolidate what’s left in a single spot. You’ll thank yourself later!
Closet
Another thing you need to declutter before the holidays start is your closets. It’s quite likely that you’ll receive some nice Christmas jumpers and other clothing items from friends and family, so why don’t you recycle or donate clothes that no longer fit? You’ll have a lot more space for any new items you might receive, and it will ensure that you’re looking your most stylish for any holiday gatherings.
Entryway
Assuming that you’ll be having guests visit throughout the holidays, reducing clutter in your home’s entryway creates a welcoming first impression. Organize shoes, coats, and bags, removing what won’t be needed until spring. Clearing this space provides easy access for visitors’ belongings and sets a tidy tone as they step into your home.
Guest Room
Speaking of guests, it’s that time of year when you should be tidying up the guest room and getting it ready for holiday visitors. Clear out any overflow storage and refresh the space with clean linens and seasonal touches, and don’t forget to make it feel Christmassy! This small effort is a simple matter of hosting etiquette and will help make your guests feel comfortable and Christmassy during their stay.
Junk Drawer
Let’s be real–everyone has a junk drawer in their home, and there’s nothing wrong with that. However, that’s no reason to let it pile up, so sort it out before Christmas to clear space for items you might actually need over the holidays. For example, you really don’t need those expired batteries, mystery keys, and rubber bands; just keep the genuinely useful items, like pens and scissors, to make this space more functional.
Living Room Shelves
Before you start decorating your living room with Christmas ornaments, take some time first to tidy up your shelves. This can include removing any old magazines, doing some dusting, and storing your regular ornaments aside, ready to be temporarily replaced by some festive touches.
Old Paperwork
Nobody wants to think about old paperwork during the holiday season, so it’s time that you finally shred it or file it, depending on whether you’re still going to need it. If you do envision yourself needing it, consider scanning the paperwork to digitizing it, freeing your home from bureaucratic clutter for Christmas.
Kids’ Toys
We’ve got no doubt that your kids have a big Christmas list of new toys that they want, so you should encourage them to clear out old toys that they’ve overgrown. If they resist, remind them that Santa won’t have enough space to get them new ones otherwise! Don’t just throw them away, though; consider selling them for cheap at a yard sale to earn your kids some allowance, or better still, donate them to kids in need this Christmas.
Garage
It might be worth tidying up the garage to create more space for you and your family’s holiday storage needs. Sort through tools, seasonal items, and old equipment, keeping only what’s necessary. Yes, it might be a daunting task that you’ve put off for ages, but realistically, it’s only going to take a couple of hours, and you’ll feel so much better about it.
Bookshelves
Many families gift each other books during the festive season, and if that sounds like you, why don’t you sort out old books that you’re never going to read? This way, you’ll have more space for new books, helping you to curate a cozy book collection to enjoy by the fireplace throughout the winter.
Home Office
As soon as you’ve finished work for the season, you should have a good clear out of your home office. Not only will this free your mind from the clutter of work, but it will also help you to start the new year with a refreshed workspace. Come January, you’re definitely going to be relieved that you took the time to do this.
Digital Files and Photos
Christmas comes with countless family photographs, so you won’t want them to get lost in the clutter of your other digital files. So, if you’re feeling bored one weekend, take some time to organize, backup, and rename your digital files and photos, and don’t forget to delete duplicates, making room for new memories.
Car Interior
You’ll no doubt be using your car a lot over Christmas to visit family and friends, and having a clean car will make this holiday travel all the more enjoyable. Get rid of those unnecessary items, like old receipts and extra bags, and wipe down surfaces for a fresh feel. Consider treating yourself to a Christmas-themed fragrance, too–we’d recommend cinnamon, gingerbread, or candy cane!