If you know me at all, you know I absolutely love Christmas! But it can be kinda chaotic and messy too. Finding space for new gifts, decorations, and all the extra holiday cheer can feel overwhelming. That’s why decluttering – and knowing what to declutter – before Christmas is so important!
I’ve had my share of frantic moments, shuffling things around to make space to hide Christmas stocking stuffers or that surprise gift from Grandma. A little pre-holiday decluttering can make a huge difference.
If you’re already in the holiday spirit, check out my How to Decorate for Christmas post. It’s packed with ideas to make your home feel festive without adding chaos!
What to Declutter Before Christmas: Step-by-Step
Let’s break this pre-holiday decluttering down into key areas that can free up space and make the holidays more enjoyable. I know time is tight during the holidays, so I’ve also added some time estimates to help you plan your decluttering sessions.
1. Kids’ Toys
Toys are one of the biggest culprits for clutter! Sit down with your kids (if they’re old enough) and sort their toys into three piles: keep, donate, and toss. Explain how sharing toys they no longer use can make another child’s holiday special. Bonus: this activity can also double as a teaching moment about gratitude!
Estimated Time to Complete: 30–60 minutes, depending on how many toys there are and whether your kids are helping.
Specific items to declutter:
- Toys with missing pieces or broken parts.
- Outgrown or age-inappropriate toys.
- Toys your kids haven’t played with in months.
- Duplicate items.
- Random fast-food or vending machine trinkets.
Tip: Create a “toy rotation box” with items your kids still love but don’t play with often. Store the box away and rotate toys in and out every few months to keep things feeling fresh.
2. Holiday Decorations
Take a hard look at your holiday decor. If there are items you haven’t used in years, consider donating them to a local charity, church or thrift store. Someone else might love that wreath or set of ornaments you’re no longer using. Streamlining your decorations also makes it easier to find and use the items you truly love.
Estimated Time to Complete: 20–40 minutes, longer if you have to unpack before you can evaluate boxes of decor.
Specific items to declutter:
- String lights with burnt-out bulbs that you never fix.
- Worn-out or faded ornaments.
- Holiday decor you haven’t used in years.
- Damaged wreaths, garlands, or centerpieces.
- Items you’ve replaced with newer versions but still hang onto “just in case.”
Tip: Take photos of your favorite decor setups from this year. Next Christmas, use them as a reference to make decorating faster and easier—or to help you decide if there’s anything you no longer need.
3. Pantry
Expired food has no place in your holiday baking or cooking lineup! Toss anything that’s past its prime and take a moment to organize your shelves. Group your essentials, like flour, sugar, and spices, together so you’re ready for all those cookie recipes and festive feasts.
Estimated Time to Complete: 15–30 minutes. Sorting and tossing expired items is usually quick, but reorganizing may take extra time.
Specific items to declutter:
- Expired spices, baking mixes, and canned goods.
- Ingredients you bought for a recipe you’ll never make again.
- Empty or near-empty snack bags taking up space.
- Stale cookies, crackers, or chips.
- Duplicates (how many cans of pumpkin puree do you need for one pie?)
Tip: After decluttering, label pantry shelves or containers for categories like “baking,” “snacks,” or “spices.” This simple step makes it easier to maintain organization all season long.
4. Closets
Winter gear can take up so much room. Go through your family’s closets and donate coats, hats, and gloves that don’t fit or are worn out. Clearing space in closets makes it easier to store any new items you might receive as gifts.
Estimated Time to Complete: 30–60 minutes per closet. Decluttering bulky winter gear can take a little longer, but it’s worth it!
Specific items to declutter:
- Coats that don’t fit or haven’t been worn in years.
- Gloves or mittens missing their pairs.
- Hats and scarves you don’t like or never use.
- Shoes that are too small, worn out, or impractical for winter.
- Bulky sweaters you’ve replaced with newer ones.
Tip: Use vacuum-sealed bags for bulky items like out-of-season coats or blankets, if you’re short on space. They save space and keep items fresh until you need them again.
5. Living Areas
Cluttered living spaces can feel chaotic, especially when you’re adding holiday decor. Focus on clearing surfaces like coffee tables, bookshelves, dining room sideboards and tables and countertops. Keep what you love and find proper homes for random items that seem to pile up.
Estimated Time to Complete: 10–20 minutes per surface. Coffee tables, bookshelves, and countertops are quick wins!
Specific items to declutter:
- Magazines or catalogs that are piling up.
- Books you’ve finished reading but don’t plan to revisit.
- Random knick-knacks or decor items cluttering shelves and tables.
- Outdated or unused electronics like chargers, remotes, or old tablets.
- Piles of mail or paperwork that could be sorted or recycled.
Tip: Add a small basket or decorative tray to frequently cluttered surfaces. Use it to corral everyday items like remotes, books, or chargers, to make the area look tidy and intentional.
The Emotional Benefits of Decluttering
Decluttering before Christmas isn’t just about clearing physical space it frees up, it’s also about creating emotional space for the joy of the season. Here are a few benefits you’ll notice once you’ve tackled the clutter:
- Feeling Lighter and Less Stressed: A tidy space often leads to a calmer mind. Imagine walking into a room that feels open and organized, like a breath of fresh air.
- Welcoming Guests with Confidence: Whether you’re hosting a holiday dinner or welcoming family for the weekend, decluttering helps you feel proud of your home.
- Making Room for New Memories and Traditions: Clearing out the old makes space for new moments…like watching your kids unwrap presents or gathering around the tree with loved ones.
Imagine opening your closets and finding everything you need, right where it belongs. Doesn’t that sound like a gift you’d love to give yourself this holiday season?
Tips for Staying Focused
Decluttering doesn’t have to feel like a full-time job! Here are some strategies that work for me:
- Set a timer. Work in 15–30-minute sessions to stay motivated without feeling overwhelmed.
- Break it down. Tackle one room or category at a time. For example, focus on toys one day and the pantry the next.
- Remember progress is better than nothing. You don’t have to tackle on the things on this list, or all the spaces in your home. But if you manage even one of them, you’re making progress!
Suggest Donation or Recycling Options
One of the best parts about decluttering is knowing your unused items can help someone else. Here are some ideas for where to donate or recycle specific items:
- Toys: Donate gently used toys to local charities, women’s shelters, or children’s hospitals. Many organizations host holiday toy drives this time of year.
- Holiday Decor: Thrift stores and community centers often accept seasonal decor donations. Broken or unusable items can be recycled at a local recycling center if they meet guidelines.
- Pantry Items: Unopened, non-perishable food can be dropped off at food banks or community kitchens to support families in need.
- Clothing and Winter Gear: Donate coats, hats, gloves, and scarves to programs like coat drives, Goodwill, or Salvation Army.
- Electronics and Small Appliances: Research your local e-waste recycling program for outdated or broken electronics.
Knowing your items are going to a good cause can make letting go a little easier. (Do check before dropping things off though, if a donation centre actually needs what you’re donating. You don’t need to just dump your clutter on someone else if they don’t need it!)
FAQs
Make it fun by turning it into a game! Set a timer and see who can fill a donation box the fastest. Be sure to explain how their donations will help other kids.
Donate usable items to local charities, shelters, or thrift stores. For items that can’t be donated, check your local recycling or disposal guidelines.
Start as early as possible! I recommend beginning around mid-November or early December to avoid last-minute stress.
Take a deep breath and start small. Focus on one area, like the pantry or a single closet, and celebrate your progress along the way.
There’s nothing quite like entering the holiday season with a home that feels open, organized, and ready for the joy of the season. By knowing what to declutter before Christmas, you’re giving yourself the gift of calm and creating space for what really matters…time with loved ones, festive traditions, and a little extra sparkle in your home.
I’d love to hear how your decluttering is going. Leave a comment below and share your tips!
Want to see more content like this in your Google searches?
This button tells Google that Home Made Lovely is a source you like, so it can show you more of it.
