10 Things To Declutter Before Christmas: Clearing Space for a Stress-Free Holiday Season
The holiday season is a time when people come together to celebrate, indulge in delicious food, and exchange gifts. However, it is also a time when clutter can quickly accumulate, causing stress and anxiety. To help alleviate some of this stress, decluttering before Christmas is essential.
Decluttering before Christmas can help create a more organized and stress-free holiday environment.
Removing unnecessary items can also make room for new gifts and decorations. Whether clearing out the pantry, organizing the closet, or donating unused items, there are many ways to declutter the home before Christmas.
In this article, we will explore ten things that can be decluttered before Christmas to help make the holiday season more enjoyable and less overwhelming.
1) Old Holiday Decorations
One of the most common things to declutter before Christmas is old holiday decorations. While it may be tempting to hold onto sentimental items, it’s important to assess whether these items are still adding value to your holiday celebrations.
Consider getting rid of any decorations that are broken, faded, or no longer fit your style.
This will not only free up space but also make room for new decorations that you will enjoy.
To avoid cluttering your home with decorations, it’s important to keep what you use.
When I was decluttering Christmas decor with my mom, she mentioned that holding onto all the old decorations that she didn’t like kept her from having a few newer/nicer things that she would enjoy more.
We need to ask if the old funky decor is holding us back from a more classy, simplified holiday look.
2) Left Over Christmas Cards
After the holidays, many people find themselves with a stack of leftover Christmas cards. Instead of letting them pile up, it’s a good idea to declutter them. One option is to recycle them, but another option is to repurpose them.
Some creative ways to repurpose Christmas cards include using them as gift tags, making them into ornaments, or even turning them into a collage.
By repurposing the cards, you can give them a new life and reduce waste at the same time.
It’s important to note that not all Christmas cards can be recycled. Cards with glitter, foil, or other embellishments are not recyclable and should be repurposed or thrown away.
I tend to keep the cards with family photos on them, and I have turned them into books. Simply punch some holes in the side of the card and add it to a three-ring binder.
This is a really fun book to bring out every Christmas and look through with family and friends.
3) Never Used Recipe Books
Recipe books can be a great source of inspiration and ideas for cooking, but if you have never used them, it might be time to declutter them.
Many people buy recipe books with good intentions but never use them. These books take up valuable space and can contribute to clutter in the kitchen.
When decluttering recipe books, it’s important to be honest with yourself about whether you will actually use them. If you haven’t used a particular book in the past year, it’s unlikely that you will use it in the future. Consider donating the books to a local library or charity, or passing them on to a friend who might appreciate them.
By decluttering recipe books you never use, you can free up space in your kitchen and make it easier to find the books you use regularly. It can also help to reduce the overall clutter in your home and create a more peaceful environment.
4) Outdated Electronics
Old electronics can take up space and clutter your home. Before Christmas, it’s a good idea to declutter outdated electronics.
This includes old phones, tablets, and laptops that are no longer in use. These items can be recycled or donated to organizations that refurbish electronics.
It’s also a good idea to declutter old chargers and cords that are no longer in use. These items can be recycled or donated.
By decluttering outdated electronics, you can free up space in your home and make room for new electronics that may be received as gifts during the holiday season.
5) Unworn Winter Clothes
Winter clothes can take up a lot of space in your closet, especially if you only wear them occasionally. It’s important to go through your winter wardrobe and get rid of anything that you haven’t worn in the past year.
Some items to consider decluttering include coats, sweaters, scarves, and hats. If an item is in good condition, consider donating it to a local charity or thrift store.
By decluttering your unworn winter clothes, you’ll free up space in your closet for items that you actually wear and love. Plus, you’ll feel more organized and prepared for the colder months ahead.
6) Fall Decor That Wasn’t Used
Fall decorations can make a home feel cozy and festive, but they can also take up valuable space. As Christmas approaches, it’s time to evaluate fall decor that wasn’t used.
Consider donating or selling items that didn’t make it out of storage this year. This will free up space for Christmas decorations and reduce clutter.
If an item is damaged or no longer fits your home’s style, it’s time to let it go.
By decluttering unneeded fall decor, your home will feel more organized and prepared for the upcoming holiday season.
7) Broken Toys
Broken toys are not only taking up space in your house but can also be a safety hazard for children. Parents should take the time to sort through their children’s toys and get rid of anything that is broken or no longer functional.
This includes toys with missing pieces, broken electronics, or ripped stuffed animals.
It’s important to dispose of broken toys before Christmas. This way, when your children get gifts from family, there will be some space for the new toys.
Also, by decluttering broken toys, parents can create a safer and more organized space for their children to play in.
8) Unused Exercise Equipment
Unused exercise equipment can take up valuable space in your home and make it feel cluttered. Before Christmas, it’s a good idea to declutter any unused equipment to make room for holiday decorations and gathering areas.
Removing unused exercise equipment frees up space and provides an opportunity to reevaluate and refresh your fitness routine for the new year. Consider donating or selling equipment that you no longer use to someone who will get more use out of it.
By decluttering unused exercise equipment before Christmas, you can optimize your living space and start the new year with a refreshed and organized home.
9) Expired Items
Expired medications can be dangerous and should be disposed of properly. Before the holiday season, it is important to go through your medicine cabinet and remove any expired medications.
Going through your pantry and fridge and throwing out any expired food is also a great idea. This will make it easier to cook and bake during the holiday season!
I added expired items to this list because it feels great to start the New Year knowing everything in your home is up to date and ready to use.
10) Excessive Paperwork
Excessive paperwork can be a significant source of stress, especially during the holiday season. Bills, receipts, and other documents can quickly pile up, making keeping track of important information challenging. To tackle this problem, it’s essential to declutter paperwork regularly.
Start by sorting through all the paperwork and separating the necessary documents from the unnecessary ones.
Shred or recycle any documents that are no longer needed, such as old bills or expired coupons. Consider digitizing important paperwork to reduce clutter and make it easier to access in the future.
By decluttering excessive paperwork, we can reduce stress, save time, and create a more organized living space.
Why Decluttering Before Christmas Matters
Mental Health Benefits
Decluttering before Christmas can have a positive impact on one’s mental health. A cluttered and disorganized home can lead to feelings of stress and anxiety.
By decluttering, we can create a more peaceful and calming environment, which can help to reduce stress levels.
Additionally, decluttering can help improve focus and productivity, leading to a greater sense of accomplishment and satisfaction.
Creating Space for Holiday Decor
Another reason why decluttering before Christmas matters is that it creates space for holiday decor. By getting rid of unwanted or unused items, individuals can free up space for festive decorations. This can help create a more inviting and cheerful atmosphere, enhancing the holiday spirit.
Additionally, decluttering can help to make cleaning and organizing for the holidays easier and more efficient.
In summary, decluttering before Christmas can have both mental health benefits and practical benefits. By creating a more organized and inviting home, individuals can enjoy a more peaceful and stress-free holiday season.
Effective Decluttering Strategies
Decluttering can be a daunting task, especially when you have a lot of items to sort through. However, with the right strategies, it can be a manageable process.
Here are two effective decluttering strategies that can help you declutter before Christmas.
Setting Realistic Goals
One of the keys to effective decluttering is setting realistic goals. It’s important to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve before you start decluttering. This can help you stay focused and motivated throughout the process.
To set realistic goals, start by identifying the areas in your home that need decluttering. Make a list of the items you want to get rid of and prioritize them based on their importance.
Set a timeline for each area and work towards achieving your goals within the set timeframe.
Using the Four-Box Method
The Four-Box Method is a popular decluttering strategy that involves sorting items into four boxes: Keep, Donate, Sell, and Trash. This method can help you make quick decisions about what to do with each item.
To use the Four-Box Method, start by designating four boxes in the room you’re decluttering. As you sort through your items, place each item in the appropriate box.
The Keep box is for items you want to keep, the Donate box is for items you want to donate, the Sell box is for items you want to sell, and the Trash box is for items you want to throw away.
Once you’ve sorted through all your items, take the Donate, Sell, and Trash boxes out of the room immediately. This will help you avoid second-guessing your decisions and keep you motivated to continue decluttering.
By setting realistic goals and using effective decluttering strategies like the Four-Box Method, you can declutter your home before Christmas and enjoy a clutter-free holiday season.
Read More Christmas Posts:
How to save money at Christmas Time
10 Fun Things to Do on Christmas Day
The Best Way to Store Christmas Decorations