With the holidays comes a lot more of everything — more gifts, more decor, more food, and more clutter taking up space in your home. While the last few months of the year can be an exciting time of celebrations with friends and family, your space can feel a little overwhelming. Decluttering before the holidays so you can enjoy yourself this season is an easy way to make the festivities less daunting.
Start in the kitchen. It’s a common saying that the kitchen is the heart of the home, and we know that to be true, for the holidays in particular. First, spend time clearing flat surfaces in your kitchen (think counters, shelves, and tables) of any unnecessary appliances or decorative objects. Less visual clutter will give the illusion of a cleaner, larger kitchen, and it will be easy for you to wipe down and clean up before and after hosting. It’s imperative to keep up with the dirty dishes: keep them out of the sink and dishwasher run and unloaded as needed. After that, take some time to clean out and organize your pantry and fridge.
Put away the toys and trinkets. If you have kiddos, the holidays are the perfect time to go through old toys. Kids can help toss what is broken or separate what they’ve outgrown into a “giveaway” pile. Getting rid of old belongings and making room for new ones is a great way to teach your children to donate during the giving season.
Organize your gift-wrapping supplies. Can you remember the last time you went through your wrapping supplies? If not, consider this a great time to do so. If anything is ripped, wrinkled, or yellowing, recycle it and make room for new wrapping and bags. Ensuring that you have working pens, a few pairs of scissors, and plenty of tape will keep you from having to make last-minute runs to the store when you’re in a pinch.
Wash your guest linens. Get prepared for the holidays and run a load or two of linens a few weeks before your guests arrive. Not only will it save you stress when you’re scrambling to get everything ready for their visit, but it will also help if travel plans are adjusted, or you have any last-minute house guests.
Declutter your entryways. These are the first spaces you see upon returning home after a long day at work. Keeping your foyer, mudroom, or entryway decluttered can help save you some stress immediately upon entering what is supposed to be your sanctuary. If you notice the clutter keeps returning to your entrances, look at how you are currently storing your items and see if there might be a more efficient use of space than what you are using now.
Declutter your holiday decor. As you start to decorate your home for the holidays, keep a few trash bins nearby so you can toss items that break, don't hold up well, or no longer fit with the style of your home. When you go to pack up your decorations after the holiday season is over, you’ll find it to be much less time-consuming and easier to organize.
Do a home sweep. Once you’ve completed your rooms, doing a quick sweep through the whole house can help find any clutter you may have missed along the way. As you go, take a bag with you and any items you are second-guessing you can choose to give them to charities in need this season.
When all else fails, there’s no shame in hiring help. Finding a local cleaning crew can be a straightforward way to make your home sparkle. Think of it as a form of self-care to help take the stress of the house off of your plate entirely, allowing you to focus on what matters to you.
We hope these ideas encourage you to jumpstart a decluttering spree in your home to help make the holiday season that much merrier. For more advice on keeping your house tidy, be sure to read up on our Fall Maintenance Guide.
