What to Declutter Before Christmas - 10 Things to Get Rid Of for a Less Stressful Holiday

Christmas is supposed to be a time to relax and enjoy family, but all the extra decorations, gifts, groceries, and visitors can make an already cluttered home feel even more crowded.

Knowing what to declutter before Christmas can make decorating, cooking, and hosting easier without adding another big project to your holiday preparations.

And don't worry, you don't need to tackle your entire house. Clearing a few problem areas can make a noticeable difference and give you more time to enjoy the season.

For more help getting your home ready for the holidays, check out my simple tips for Cleaning Your House for Christmas.

1. Christmas Decorations You No Longer Use

Before putting up your Christmas decorations, take a few minutes to sort through what you've collected over the years.

Chances are, you have ornaments you haven't hung in ages, lights that no longer work, or decorations that don't suit your home anymore.

Get rid of broken decorations and set aside anything you consistently leave in storage.

Maybe you used to decorate every room, but these days you prefer a smaller tree and a few festive touches. That's perfectly fine.

Keep the decorations that suit how you celebrate Christmas now, rather than holding on to everything you've accumulated.

If you have unwanted decorations in good condition, donate them early enough for someone else to enjoy them this Christmas.

2. Old Gift Wrap, Ribbons, and Christmas Cards

Gift-wrapping supplies have a funny way of multiplying, especially when you save every gift bag, ribbon, and leftover piece of wrapping paper.

Before buying more, check what you already have.

Get rid of torn gift bags, crushed bows, dried-out tape, and wrapping paper scraps too small to use. Recycle what your local program accepts.

Organize the remaining supplies so you can easily find what you need when it's time to wrap presents.

And what about those Christmas cards you've been saving for years?

There's nothing wrong with keeping a few special ones, but you don't need to save every card you've ever received.

Choose your favorites and let the rest go.

3. Expired Food and Pantry Clutter

Between Christmas baking, family dinners, and extra groceries, your kitchen will probably need more storage space than usual.

Now is a good time to check your pantry, refrigerator, and freezer.

Remove spoiled food, forgotten leftovers, and ingredients that are no longer safe to use. Remember that some packaged food dates indicate quality rather than safety.

Check your baking supplies, spices, and canned goods before making your holiday shopping list. You might already have several ingredients you need.

Try planning a few meals around what you have to reduce food waste and avoid unnecessary purchases.

Don't forget to leave room in the refrigerator for holiday groceries and leftovers.

4. Kitchen Gadgets and Serving Dishes You Rarely Use

Do you have serving platters, casserole dishes, or kitchen gadgets that only see daylight when you reorganize your cupboards?

Christmas is a good time to decide which ones are worth keeping.

Think about how you entertain these days. Maybe you once hosted large Christmas dinners, but now your gatherings are smaller.

You probably don't need the same number of serving dishes you used back then.

Set aside duplicate gadgets, extra platters, and cookware that no longer serves a purpose.

While you're organizing, move the holiday dishes you'll need to shelves that are easy to reach. There's no reason to climb on a chair to retrieve a heavy roasting pan.

5. Things That Have Taken Over the Guest Room

If you're expecting overnight visitors, your guest room deserves some attention.

For many households, the spare bedroom slowly becomes a storage room for everything that doesn't have a proper place.

You don't need to completely reorganize it. Just focus on making the space comfortable for your guests.

Clear the bed, remove anything blocking the walkway, and make room in a drawer or closet for their belongings.

If your adult children still have boxes stored there, ask them to sort through their things rather than making decisions for them.

And try not to solve the problem by moving everything into another room. That only transfers the clutter somewhere else.

6. Extra Towels, Sheets, and Bedding

It's easy to accumulate more towels, sheets, and blankets than your household actually needs.

Before Christmas, take a look at your linen closet.

Are there towels that have become thin and scratchy? Sheets that don't fit any of your beds? Blankets you haven't used in years?

Set aside worn-out items and anything that no longer fits your household's needs.

A couple of spare sets of sheets and enough comfortable towels for your family and expected guests may be all you need, depending on how often you do laundry.

For worn-out linens, check whether textile recycling is available in your area.

You'll have a more manageable linen closet and won't need to dig through piles of old bedding to find a matching set.

7. Toys, Games, and Hobby Supplies Nobody Uses

If your grandchildren visit during Christmas, you may have a collection of toys, puzzles, games, and craft supplies waiting for them.

But children grow, and their interests change.

The toys they loved a few years ago might not interest them anymore.

Sort through what you've been keeping and remove broken toys, dried-out markers, and games with missing pieces.

Check older toys for damage or safety concerns, especially if younger children will be visiting.

A few age-appropriate games, puzzles, or craft activities are usually easier to manage than an overflowing toy cupboard.

You can pass along usable items your grandchildren have outgrown to another family.

8. Coats, Shoes, and Winter Accessories

Christmas often means extra coats, shoes, scarves, and bags around the house.

If your entryway is already crowded, visitors may struggle to find somewhere to put their belongings.

Start by checking your coat closet or wherever you store outerwear.

Look for coats you no longer wear, uncomfortable shoes, and scarves or gloves you haven't used in years.

Once you've sorted those out, you'll have a better idea of how much space is available for visitors' belongings.

Even a few empty hooks or a small section of the closet can help.

Most importantly, keep shoes and bags away from doorways and walking paths to prevent tripping.

9. Unwanted Gifts from Previous Christmases

Most of us have received a Christmas gift that wasn't quite right.

Maybe it was a kitchen gadget you didn't need, a sweater that wasn't your style, or a decorative item that didn't fit your home.

Instead of letting it go, you tucked it away because someone had spent money on it.

And now it's been sitting there for years.

Here's something to remember: You can appreciate the thought behind a gift without keeping the item forever.

Consider donating unwanted gifts or thoughtfully regifting unused items that are in excellent condition.

And if you're trying to avoid accumulating more things this year, let your family know you'd appreciate a restaurant gift card, a favorite treat, or an experience together instead.

10. Everyday Clutter in the Entryway and Living Room

Your living room and entryway will probably see a lot of activity during Christmas.

These are also places where everyday clutter tends to collect.

Before putting up your Christmas tree, spend a little time clearing these areas.

Sort through old mail, return misplaced items to their proper places, and remove anything taking up valuable seating or floor space.

You might even decide to temporarily move a small table or chair to make room for the tree.

Pay attention to the arrangement of furniture and decorations so everyone can move around comfortably.

And remember, you don't have to fill every empty corner with Christmas decorations.

A comfortable place to sit and visit is more important than displaying every holiday decoration you own.

A Simple Pre-Christmas Decluttering Plan

Looking at ten different areas might sound like a lot, especially when you already have Christmas shopping, cooking, and decorating on your mind.

But you don't need to tackle everything in one weekend.

Choose one small area each day and spend about 15 to 20 minutes working on it.

Here's a simple seven-day plan:

Day 1: Sort through Christmas decorations.
Day 2: Organize gift wrap and holiday cards.
Day 3: Check the pantry, refrigerator, and freezer.
Day 4: Clear out unused kitchen gadgets and serving dishes.
Day 5: Prepare the guest room and sort spare linens.
Day 6: Review old toys, coats, and unwanted gifts.
Day 7: Tidy the entryway and living room.

Adjust the plan to suit your schedule and energy level. Skip any areas that don't need attention.

Keep a donation box nearby and arrange to drop off usable items promptly so they don't become another pile of clutter.

And don't get sidetracked sorting through sentimental keepsakes or moving heavy furniture. Those jobs can wait until you have more time or help.

Final Thoughts

Decluttering before Christmas doesn't have to mean spending days cleaning out cupboards and closets.

A little extra space in the kitchen, a comfortable guest room, and a living room that's easy to move around can make the holidays feel much more manageable.

Start with the areas that need the most attention and leave the rest for another time.

After all, Christmas isn't about having a perfectly organized home. It's about enjoying the season and spending time with the people who matter to you.

Related Decluttering Articles:

More Uncategorized

Amazing Amazon Deals