15 Things to Declutter Before the Holidays
15 Things to Declutter Before the Holidays for a Simpler Home
The holidays are such a fun time of year, but they can also become overwhelming when we have too much stuff in our homes.
Between decorating, shopping, cooking, and preparing for family gatherings, there is already so much to do. The last thing we need is extra clutter making everything more difficult.
One thing I’ve learned over the years is that decluttering before the holidays can make a huge difference in how we experience the season.
And I’m not talking about spending an entire weekend cleaning out your house. Sometimes just getting rid of a few things that have been sitting around for months can make your home feel so much better.
I also think this is the perfect time to let go of things we’ve been putting off dealing with. Those unfinished projects, donation piles, and random items taking up space can become a constant reminder of everything we still need to do.
So before the holiday season gets too busy, here are 15 things you can declutter to make your home feel simpler and easier to manage.
1. Holiday Decorations You Never Use
Before you start decorating for Christmas, take a look at the decorations you’ve been storing all year.
Are there things you haven’t put out in several years? Maybe your decorating style has changed, or you simply don’t have room for everything anymore.
I love decorating for Christmas, but I also think it’s important to remember that more decorations don’t necessarily make the holidays more enjoyable.
Having fewer decorations that you truly love can make decorating and putting everything away so much easier.
As you unpack your holiday bins, set aside anything you no longer want. This is also a great time to donate decorations because someone else might be able to use them this season.
2. Unfinished Projects
We all have those projects we started with the best intentions.
Maybe it’s a craft project, something you planned to repair, or a home improvement project that has been sitting unfinished.
The problem is that these projects can take up both physical space and mental space.
Every time you see them, you’re reminded of something you still need to do.
Before the holidays, decide which projects you’re realistically going to finish and which ones you’re ready to let go of.
You don’t have to complete every project you start. Sometimes our interests and priorities change, and that’s okay.
3. Clothes That No Longer Fit Your Life
The change of seasons is always a great time to declutter your closet.
Take a few minutes to look through your clothes and remove anything that doesn’t fit, feels uncomfortable, or simply isn’t something you enjoy wearing anymore.
I especially like asking myself whether I would choose to wear an item today.
Sometimes we hold onto clothes because we spent money on them or because we think we might wear them someday.
But having a closet full of clothes you don’t actually wear makes getting dressed more difficult.
Keep the clothes you feel good wearing and that work for your current lifestyle.
4. Kitchen Gadgets and Extra Serving Dishes
With all the cooking and baking that happens during the holidays, now is the perfect time to simplify your kitchen.
Look through your cabinets for appliances you rarely use, duplicate utensils, and serving dishes that haven’t been used in years.
I think we sometimes hold onto kitchen items because we imagine needing them for a special occasion.
But if you haven’t used something in several years, it’s worth asking whether you really need to keep storing it.
Having fewer things in your cabinets makes it easier to find what you need when you’re preparing meals.
5. Old Papers and Random Piles
Almost every home has an area where random papers and miscellaneous items collect.
Maybe it’s the kitchen counter, a desk, or a drawer that becomes a catchall for everything.
These piles can look overwhelming, but they often don’t take very long to sort through.
Start by throwing away junk mail, outdated papers, and anything you no longer need.
Then separate the important papers that require action from the things you need to keep.
Try to find a permanent place for everything so the piles don’t immediately start growing again.
6. Toys Your Kids Have Outgrown
If you have kids, you know how quickly toys can accumulate.
And with Christmas coming, there’s a good chance more toys will be entering your home.
This is a great time to look through what your kids already own.
Focus on toys that are broken, missing pieces, or haven’t been played with in a long time.
I also think it’s helpful to involve kids in the decluttering process when they’re old enough.
They can help decide what they still enjoy playing with and what they’re ready to pass along.
The goal isn’t to get rid of all their toys. It’s to make room for the ones they actually use and love.
7. Food Nobody Is Going to Eat
Before you start stocking up on holiday groceries, take a look through your pantry.
You might be surprised by how many things have been pushed to the back of the shelves.
Check expiration dates and look for ingredients you bought for recipes you never ended up making.
Also consider whether there are foods your family simply doesn’t like.
If something is unopened and still good, consider donating it to a local food pantry.
Having a simplified pantry makes meal planning easier and helps prevent buying duplicates.
8. Things You’ve Been Meaning to Sell
Do you have a pile of things sitting somewhere in your house waiting to be sold?
I think this is something a lot of us struggle with.
We know an item has value, so we don’t want to donate it. But weeks or months go by, and we never get around to listing it.
One thing I’ve found helpful is giving myself a deadline.
If you’re going to sell something, decide when you’ll list it and how long you’re willing to keep it.
If you don’t have the time or energy to sell it, donating it might be the better option.
Sometimes having the space back is worth more than the money you might make.
9. Extra Gift Bags and Wrapping Supplies
Gift bags, tissue paper, ribbons, and wrapping paper can multiply without us even realizing it.
I love reusing gift bags when they’re still in good condition, but there’s no reason to keep every single one.
Go through your wrapping supplies and get rid of anything that’s ripped, damaged, or unlikely to be used.
Then organize what you’re keeping in one designated space.
This will make wrapping gifts much easier when the holidays arrive.
10. Old To-Do Lists and Notes
Have you ever found an old to-do list from months ago?
Sometimes those lists are filled with things we never got around to doing.
Instead of keeping several lists scattered around your house, take a few minutes to combine anything that’s still important into one current list.
Then recycle the old papers.
You might even realize that some of those tasks don’t need to be done anymore.
It’s a simple way to clear some physical clutter while also simplifying your schedule.
11. Gifts You’ve Been Saving for Someone
Sometimes we buy gifts ahead of time or receive things we think we might give to someone else.
But if those items sit in a closet for years, they can become another form of clutter.
Take a look at anything you’ve been saving to give away.
Do you actually have someone in mind who would enjoy it?
If not, consider donating it.
You can also designate one small container for gifts you plan to give in the future so they don’t take over your storage space.
12. Extra Cleaning Supplies
Before all the holiday cleaning begins, check your cleaning supply cabinet.
You might have several partially used bottles, products you don’t like, or supplies you bought but never use.
Keeping too many cleaning products can actually make it harder to find what you need.
Try simplifying your supplies down to the products you regularly use.
Use up duplicates when possible, and dispose of unwanted products according to their labels and local guidelines.
13. Old Coupons and Unused Gift Cards
This is a quick decluttering project that can take just a few minutes.
Go through your purse, wallet, desk, or junk drawer and collect any coupons or gift cards you find.
Recycle expired coupons and check the balances on your gift cards.
Then keep the gift cards together somewhere you’ll remember to use them.
You might even be able to use some of them for your holiday shopping.
14. Holiday Traditions That No Longer Work
This one is a little different because it’s not just about physical clutter.
Sometimes we hold onto holiday traditions that no longer fit our lives.
Maybe you used to make elaborate crafts with your kids, host a big party, or plan activities every weekend in December.
But as our families change, our traditions can change too.
You don’t have to keep doing something simply because you’ve always done it.
Think about which traditions your family actually enjoys and focus on those.
You can also let go of the supplies you’ve been saving for activities you no longer plan to do.
A simpler holiday season can be just as meaningful.
15. Things You’ve Been Meaning to Return
Finally, take a look around your home for anything you’ve been meaning to return or exchange.
Maybe you bought something that didn’t work out, ordered the wrong size, or received something you don’t need.
If it’s still within the return window, make a plan to return it.
If the return window has passed, consider whether you can sell or donate it instead.
The money has already been spent, and keeping something you don’t want won’t change that.
Getting those items out of your home can feel like checking one more thing off your list.
Final Thoughts on Decluttering Before the Holidays
I think one of the best things we can do before the holidays is to make our homes a little easier to manage.
We don’t need to have perfectly organized houses or get rid of everything we own.
But when we remove the things we’re no longer using, we make more room for the things that matter.
And that’s really what simple living is all about.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by everything you need to do before Christmas, don’t try to tackle this entire list in one day.
Choose one or two categories and start there.
Even spending 10 or 15 minutes decluttering can make a difference.
The goal is to spend less time managing our stuff and more time enjoying the holiday season with the people we love.
What is one thing you would like to declutter before the holidays?
