Decluttering before Christmas isn’t about making room for more; it’s about setting up your home to be a calm, inviting place to relax and enjoy the festive season. If you’re ready to clear the clutter and feel truly present this Christmas, start with a few small steps that will help you avoid the stress of last-minute tidying and hidden piles.
Where to Start: Prioritise Key Spaces
With so many areas to organise, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Begin by asking yourself: Where is decluttering most important? Consider high-traffic areas where family and guests will gather or stay, like the living room or the spare bedroom. If the kids’ playroom is overflowing with toys, that’s a great place to start too, as it’ll allow your home to feel instantly more open and organised. The goal is to relax without worrying about anyone opening a cupboard and getting buried under an avalanche of stuff!
Beat Overwhelm by Decluttering Clockwise
Looking at a cluttered room can feel like facing a mountain, but there’s an effective strategy that can help: work your way around the room in a clockwise direction. This method keeps you focused on one area at a time, giving you a clear start and finish point for each session. Plus, if you need to pause and come back, you’ll know exactly where you left off. A clockwise approach is also a great way to avoid the common trap of decluttering sporadically, which can make you feel like you’ve done a lot of work without seeing much progress.
Make Room in the Kitchen for Holiday Treats
Before diving into your big Christmas food shop, take a moment to go through your kitchen cupboards. Clearing out food items your family won’t eat or that are past their prime frees up valuable space for festive ingredients and treats. Donate any non-perishables you won’t use—think of that extra jar of pasta sauce no one liked—to a local food bank. As you sort, you might find some surprises; it's not uncommon to find things that have been hiding since 2007! Once your kitchen is streamlined, you’ll have a clean slate for all your Christmas baking and holiday cooking essentials.
Involve the Kids in Toy Decluttering
Decluttering with children can be a lesson in patience, but it’s also a wonderful learning opportunity for them. Start by asking which toys are their favourites. Lead with what they love, and use this as a way to identify toys that might be less appealing, broken, or “too baby” for them now. Tackle areas that are less sentimental first, as this will help them ease into the idea of letting go. Teaching kids to declutter gives them valuable skills they’ll use for a lifetime, and it can even make them feel proud to donate toys they no longer need.
Turn the Spare Room into a Relaxing Retreat
If your spare room has become a dumping ground, take some time to create a cozy, tranquil space for guests. Sort through items and ask if they can be stored in the loft, moved to the garage, or even donated. If something hasn’t been used in the past year, consider letting it go. With a decluttered guest room, you’ll be able to welcome family and friends with a sense of calm, knowing they’ll feel comfortable and at home.
Give Your Christmas Decor a Quick Edit
Finally, Christmas decorations themselves can use a little attention! Pull out the baubles and lights, checking for broken items and deciding if there are any you’d rather part with. If you have more Christmas cards or wrapping paper than you can use, donate the excess to save space and spread the holiday spirit. After this, you’ll have a selection of decorations that feel meaningful, making the process of decorating even more enjoyable.
Decluttering before Christmas allows you to start the season with a clear space and a clear mind. Embrace the festive season with a home that feels open, organised, and ready to welcome all the joy of the holidays!
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