The holiday season can quickly turn your home into a cluttered mess, especially when decorations, gifts, and extra guests start filling up every space. Taking some time to clear out unnecessary items before Christmas helps keep things manageable and makes room for the new holiday stuff coming your way.
Decluttering before the holidays makes your season smoother by creating space, reducing stress, and helping you enjoy your home more. You don’t have to do a complete overhaul—just focusing on a few key areas can make a noticeable difference in how comfortable and organized your home feels.
Old Christmas cards
You probably have a pile of old Christmas cards from past years lying around. Before the holiday rush, it’s a good idea to sort through them and decide what to keep or let go.
If you’re not ready to toss them, you can get creative. Turn those cards into gift tags, ornaments, or even simple crafts. Upcycling your cards not only saves space but adds a personal touch to your decorations and gifts this season.
Expired pantry items
You’ll want to start by checking expiration dates on all your pantry goods. Toss anything that’s past its use-by date, especially snacks, canned goods, and spices.
Some items might still be safe after the date, but old packages often lose flavor or quality. Clearing these out frees up space for fresh ingredients you’ll need this holiday season.
Plus, keeping expired items can lead to wasted space and confusion when cooking. A quick scan now saves you time and hassle later.
Toys your kids don’t play with
Take a good look at the toys your kids haven’t touched in months. These often just take up space and create clutter.
You can involve your kids by asking which ones they want to keep and which ones they’re ready to part with. This makes decluttering easier and teaches them to value their space.
For each new toy coming in, try donating or discarding one they no longer play with. It keeps things balanced and your home less crowded.
Broken holiday decorations
Before you dive into decorating, check for any broken holiday decorations. Toss or recycle ornaments with cracks, missing pieces, or damaged lights.
Holding onto broken items can make your decorating process more frustrating. Clearing them out helps you focus on what still works and looks good.
This way, your holiday setup feels fresh, not cluttered with stuff you don’t really use. Plus, it makes space for new decorations you might want this year.
Outdated wrapping paper
You probably have a stash of wrapping paper that’s seen better days. Torn, wrinkled, or faded sheets don’t make gifts look great and just add to the clutter.
Sorting through your wrapping supplies now saves you hunting for usable paper later. Toss any scraps or old rolls you won’t use again.
If you’re feeling creative, save smaller pieces for gift tags or decorations. Otherwise, clear out the outdated stuff and make room for fresh, neat wrapping materials.
Clothes that don’t fit anymore
If you’ve got clothes that no longer fit, it’s time to part ways. Holding onto them can make your closet crowded and chaotic.
Let go of items that don’t match your current size or style. You can donate gently worn pieces, so they get a second life.
Keeping only clothes that fit well helps you get dressed faster and feel better in what you wear every day. It’s an easy way to refresh your wardrobe before the holidays.
Unused kitchen gadgets
You probably have a few kitchen gadgets lying around that you barely use. Things like avocado slicers, lemon squeezers, or single-use tools often just take up space.
Clearing out these gadgets not only frees up drawers but also makes your kitchen feel less cluttered. Focus on keeping multi-tasking tools that actually get used regularly. This small change can make holiday cooking less stressful and more enjoyable.
Duplicate baking utensils
You probably have more cookie cutters or baking tins than you actually need. Sorting through duplicates can free up space and make your baking setup less overwhelming.
If you find multiple snowman cutters or extra rolling pins, consider donating the extras. Keeping just what you use saves time and avoids clutter during the busy holiday season.
A designated bin for your essential baking tools helps keep everything organized and easy to find when it’s time to bake.
Extra plastic containers
You probably have more plastic containers than you actually use. They tend to multiply in your kitchen drawers or cabinets without anyone noticing.
Take a moment to sort through them and get rid of mismatched lids or containers with cracks. Keeping only the ones you regularly use frees up space and makes it easier to find what you need during holiday cooking.
This simple step helps you avoid clutter and keeps your kitchen organized when you’re juggling all the extra dishes and leftovers.
Old magazines and catalogs
You probably have stacks of old magazines and holiday catalogs lying around. They can pile up fast and take up more space than you realize.
Since many are outdated, consider recycling or tossing the ones you don’t need. Clearing them out helps free up room for new holiday decorations and gift ideas.
If some magazines still catch your eye, use them for gift wrapping or simple DIY projects. That way, you declutter without feeling like you’re wasting paper.
Expired coupons and receipts
You probably have a stack of old coupons and receipts lying around. Coupons that are past their expiration date don’t save you money, just take up space.
Go through them and toss anything that’s expired or no longer relevant.
Keeping only current coupons and necessary receipts will clear out clutter quickly. It also makes it easier to find what you actually need when you shop or track your expenses.
Unwanted holiday ornaments
You probably have holiday ornaments you never use or don’t really like anymore. These can take up valuable space and make decorating more stressful than fun.
Go through your collection and set aside anything broken, outdated, or just plain unwanted. Keeping only meaningful or favorite pieces will make your decorating simpler and more enjoyable.
If you find ornaments that don’t spark joy, consider donating them or giving them away. Clearing out these extras helps make room for new memories next season.
Bulky winter gear you don’t wear
Take a look at your winter coats, boots, and heavy sweaters. If you haven’t worn them in a season or two, it’s probably time to let them go.
Bulky items take up a lot of space and can quickly clutter your closets. Holding onto gear that no longer fits or is worn out only makes storing the essentials harder.
By clearing out what you don’t need, you create room for the gear you actually use. Plus, packing up the rest neatly now saves you hassle later.
