Decluttering Before the Holidays: Simple Ways to Make Space Without Feeling Overwhelmed

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Why Declutter Before the Holidays?

The holidays are a wonderful time of year, but they also bring extra decorations, gifts, activities, and responsibilities into our homes.

Before all that begins, I like to take some time to declutter and get organized.

This year, I actually started a little earlier than usual.

Over the summer, Brayden was home from school, and we spent much of our time enjoying the pool, visiting the lake, and making memories together.

Naturally, some household projects took a back seat.

As the summer went on, things started piling up. I found myself putting baskets around the house to collect items that didn't have a proper place.

The baskets made everything look neater, but the clutter was still there.

My kitchen counters were a perfect example. They were usable, but so many extra things had accumulated that I knew something needed to change.

Once Brayden returned to school, I started tackling the kitchen, one cabinet at a time.

As I cleared out things we no longer needed and found places for items sitting on the counters, I noticed how much better I felt.

When I finally looked at my cleared countertops, I felt like I could breathe a little easier.

That feeling motivated me to keep going.

For me, decluttering before the holidays isn't about creating a perfectly organized home. It's about making everyday life easier and creating space to enjoy the season.

And I've learned that the best way to accomplish that is one small project at a time.

1. Start Small With a Simple Holiday Decluttering Plan

One of the biggest lessons I've learned from decluttering is that trying to do too much at once can quickly become overwhelming.

When I started working on my kitchen, I didn't empty every cabinet and drawer in one day.

Instead, I focused on one area at a time. Some days, I accomplished several things. Other days, I only had time for one cabinet or drawer. And that's perfectly fine.

Helping My Parents Take Things One Step at a Time

I saw how important this approach was when I started helping my parents declutter their home.

They recently experienced a flood that damaged their carpets and hardwood floors. Entire rooms needed to be packed up so the floors could eventually be replaced.

The amount of work was overwhelming.

I went over several times to help them sort through their belongings, usually bringing my little helper, Brayden.

He loves helping his grandparents, and they're happy to have him there.

He's always asking Grandpa, "What's next?"

Even after we leave, he wants to know when we're going back to help again.

I kept encouraging my parents to focus on one area at a time instead of everything that still needed to be done.

As they began seeing progress, they became more motivated to continue working on their own.

Their experience reinforced something I've learned in my own home.

You don't have to finish everything to feel like you've accomplished something.

A Simple Four-Week Holiday Decluttering Plan

Rather than trying to overhaul the entire house, I'm focusing on a few areas that need attention before the holidays.

Here's a simple schedule you can adapt for your family.

Week 1: Kitchen and Pantry

Sort through food, cooking supplies, and kitchen items to prepare for holiday meals and baking.

Week 2: Children's Toys and Games

Go through toys and games to make room for Christmas gifts and identify items to sell, donate, or pass along.

Week 3: Clothing and Winter Essentials

Check clothing, coats, shoes, and seasonal items to see what still fits.

Week 4: Holiday Decorations and Shared Spaces

Review decorations before putting them up and tidy the areas where your family spends time together.

Most of my decluttering happens while Brayden is at school, but your schedule might look completely different.

You could work on one drawer each evening, spend an hour on weekends, or spread everything out over several weeks.

The important thing is to make steady progress without adding more stress to your holiday preparations.

2. Declutter the Kitchen Before Holiday Cooking and Baking

The kitchen was my first project when Brayden returned to school.

With Thanksgiving and Christmas approaching, I wanted to make room for cooking, baking, and storing leftovers.

My biggest problem was the countertops. Too many things had accumulated because there wasn't enough room in the cabinets.

Rather than buying more organizers, I decided to look through what we already had.

Clear Out What You No Longer Use

I started with our dishes and food storage containers.

We had accumulated quite a collection of reusable water bottles. Some were still being used, while others had been sitting untouched for months.

Brayden had also outgrown his sippy cups, so those were among the first things to go.

I found worn-out food storage containers and others missing their lids.

Once I removed the things we no longer needed, I had more cabinet space and could finally put away the items cluttering my countertops.

Check Your Pantry Before Buying More Food

Next, I went through our food cabinets.

I discovered several food items we'd purchased to try but ended up not liking.

That happens occasionally when you have a picky six-year-old!

Rather than letting perfectly good food expire, I decided to give it away so someone else could use it.

This is also a good time to take inventory before purchasing ingredients for holiday meals and baking.

Check your pantry, refrigerator, and freezer for items you already have or need to use soon.

You might save yourself a trip to the grocery store while reducing food waste.

Don't Forget the Drawers and Cleaning Supplies

I also tackled the cabinet under the kitchen sink and our dreaded junk drawer.

Although there wasn't much to get rid of under the sink, reorganizing the cleaning supplies made everything easier to find.

Before the holidays, consider checking:

• Pantry, refrigerator, and freezer

• Food storage containers and lids

• Utensils, cookware, and baking supplies

• Holiday serving dishes

• Cleaning supplies and junk drawers

• Countertops and other frequently used spaces

I worked through these projects whenever I had time, and the difference was noticeable.

The best part? I didn't spend any money to accomplish it.

3. Make Room for Christmas by Decluttering Kids' Toys

With Christmas approaching, another area I want to tackle is Brayden's toys.

Like many families, we've accumulated quite a few over the years.

Some are still favorites, while others rarely get played with.

Before bringing new toys into the house, I think it's a good idea to look through what we already own.

Let Kids Help Decide What to Keep

I've found that decluttering Brayden's toys works best when he's involved in the decisions.

After all, they're his belongings, and I want him to have a say in what happens to them.

Sometimes, I'll find a toy he hasn't played with in months and assume he's ready to part with it.

But he might have a reason for wanting to keep it.

And that's okay.

We usually go through his toys together and set aside the ones he no longer wants.

Rather than making every decision immediately, we'll sometimes revisit the pile another day.

He might decide he's ready to let go of more things, or he might change his mind about something.

I try to respect those decisions.

My goal isn't to get rid of as many toys as possible. It's to make room for the things he genuinely enjoys.

Turn Unwanted Toys Into a Money Lesson

This year, I'm planning to sell some of Brayden's unwanted toys through a consignment sale.

He knows that I sometimes sell his toys, and I'm upfront with him about what happens to the money.

Depending on the situation, we'll either put it into his bank account or use it toward something else he needs.

It's a simple opportunity to teach him about saving, making thoughtful decisions, and understanding that things we no longer use can still have value.

Teaching children about money doesn't always require a special activity. Sometimes, the best lessons come from everyday experiences.

Related Reading: Teaching Kids About Money

Of course, not every toy is worth selling. Some can be donated or passed along to another family.

Help Kids Rediscover What They Already Own

One thing I've noticed whenever we organize Brayden's toys is that he actually plays with them more.

Toys that were buried underneath other things suddenly become interesting again.

Sometimes, he'll rediscover something he hasn't played with in months and spend quite a bit of time enjoying it.

I think children can feel overwhelmed by clutter, too.

When toys are piled up or difficult to find, they might not even realize what they have.

I try to keep things simple by grouping similar toys together and using storage containers we already own.

For us, decluttering before Christmas isn't just about making room for new presents.

It's also about helping Brayden appreciate and enjoy the toys he already has.

4. Go Through Clothing Before Winter

Another project I've been working on is sorting through Brayden's clothing.

I actually started several weeks ago, putting away summer clothes that should still fit next year.

But the weather kept changing, and I found myself taking things back out of storage!

Now that cooler weather has arrived, I can finally finish organizing his winter wardrobe.

Check What You Have Before Shopping

Before buying new clothes, I always look through what we already own.

I had some new clothing from last year packed away, so I started by taking those items out.

Then I went through last winter's clothes to see what still fit.

Anything he can wear goes into his closet or dresser. The rest gets separated into items to sell, donate, or pass along.

This helps me see exactly what he needs before spending money on replacements

Clothing that's too worn to be reused may be suitable for textile recycling, depending on local options.

Check the Rest of the Family's Winter Clothing

Children aren't the only ones who can benefit from a seasonal wardrobe check.

Before buying winter essentials or holiday outfits, look through your family's:

• Coats, jackets, and sweaters

• Boots and winter shoes

• Hats, gloves, and scarves

• Pajamas and holiday clothing

You might discover something you forgot you owned.

And if it still fits and is in good condition, there's no reason you can't use it for another season.

Sometimes, the biggest savings come from continuing to use what we already have.

5. Sort Through Holiday Decorations Before Buying More

Holiday decorations are another area where it's easy to accumulate more than we need.

Every year, stores are filled with beautiful decorations, and it's tempting to purchase something new.

But in our house, we generally use the same decorations year after year.

Some have been part of our holiday celebrations for a long time, and I enjoy bringing them out each season.

When something wears out or becomes damaged, we decide whether it needs to be replaced.

And whenever possible, we wait for a worthwhile sale.

How We Saved on a New Christmas Tree

Last year, our artificial Christmas tree was starting to show its age.

It had begun losing quite a few needles, and we knew it would need to be replaced soon.

Rather than purchasing a new one at full price, we decided to use the old tree for one more Christmas.

Shortly before Christmas, we found a replacement on clearance.

We purchased it and kept it in the box for the following year.

This Christmas, we'll finally be putting up our new tree.

We were also able to donate the old one instead of throwing it away.

Waiting until we found a good sale helped us save money on something we knew we'd eventually need.

Take Inventory Before Decorating

Before buying more holiday decorations, check what you already own.

Look through ornaments, lights, and other decorations for anything damaged or no longer used.

Don't forget wrapping supplies, either.

Gift bags, ribbons, bows, and some wrapping paper can often be reused.

Decorations you no longer want can be donated or passed along if they're still in good condition.

But don't feel pressured to get rid of meaningful decorations simply because they're old.

Some of the most special ones are those that remind us of past Christmases and family memories.

The goal is to keep what we enjoy and use, not replace everything with something new.

6. Sell, Donate, or Reuse Unwanted Items

One thing that's important to me when decluttering is finding ways to keep usable items from going to waste.

Just because our family no longer needs something doesn't mean it can't be useful to someone else.

Whenever possible, I try to sell, donate, or pass along items before considering throwing them away.

Have a Plan for Unwanted Items

When I'm decluttering, I usually place unwanted belongings into a box.

Once I've finished sorting, I decide what might be worth selling and what would be better donated.

Since I also have a small reselling business, I have a few different ways of handling these items.

For children's clothing and toys, I sometimes participate in consignment sales. I keep those items boxed up until it's time to clean, organize, and prepare them for the sale.

For things I sell online, I have a separate storage space at my parents' house.

After moving out of my old upstairs apartment there, I converted my former bedroom into an office and storage area for my reselling business.

Having that separate space helps keep my inventory from becoming another source of clutter at home.

Of course, you don't need an extra room to organize items you're planning to sell.

A designated box, shelf, or small storage area can work just as well.

The important thing is to have a realistic plan for getting those belongings out of your home.

Decide Whether Selling Is Worth Your Time

Selling unwanted belongings can be a good way to earn extra money before the holidays, but it also takes time.

You may need to clean items, take pictures, research prices, create listings, or prepare things for a consignment sale.

Before deciding to sell something, consider how much you could realistically earn compared with the work involved.

Not everything needs to be sold.

Sometimes, donating an item so another family can use it is the better choice.

Give Usable Items a Second Life

Clothing, toys, books, and household items in good condition may be useful to someone else.

Before donating, make sure everything is clean, complete, and safe to use. Check what your local donation center accepts.

It's also worth considering whether older items can be repaired, reused for another purpose, or recycled responsibly.

Recycling options vary by location, so check local guidelines.

I especially like the idea of decluttering before the holidays because it gives us an opportunity to think about what we have and what we can share with others.

It connects nicely with the spirit of gratitude and giving back that I try to focus on during Thanksgiving.

Related Reading: Meaningful Thanksgiving Traditions: Family, Gratitude, and Giving Back

The goal isn't to keep everything forever or feel guilty about getting rid of things.

It's simply to make thoughtful decisions about what happens to our belongings when we no longer need them.

7. Avoid Replacing Clutter With More Holiday Purchases

After spending time decluttering, the last thing we want to do is fill those spaces with more unnecessary purchases.

This can be especially challenging during the holidays when stores are filled with decorations, gifts, and tempting sales.

I've always tried to be intentional about what I purchase.

Before buying something, ask yourself:

• Do we really need it?

• Do we already own something similar?

• Where will we store it?

• Will we use it regularly?

• Are we buying it simply because it's on sale?

Of course, there will always be necessary purchases, especially as our families grow and their needs change.

The goal isn't to stop shopping altogether. It's to make thoughtful decisions about what we bring into our homes.

After all, decluttering won't accomplish much if we immediately refill those spaces with things we don't need.

Related Reading: Black Friday and Cyber Monday Deals You May Be Overlooking

Final Thoughts: Make Room for What Matters

For me, decluttering has brought a sense of peace.

I don't have to worry as much about where I'll put our holiday decorations or whether we'll have enough room for the things our family needs.

It's also made everyday life easier when I know what we already own and where to find it.

I've learned that decluttering isn't about creating a picture-perfect home.

Our homes are meant to be lived in, and with children, there will always be toys, projects, and everyday belongings that need a place.

What matters to me is having a home that feels comfortable, manageable, and welcoming.

By appreciating what we already own, letting go of things we no longer need, and being thoughtful about future purchases, we can reduce waste and unnecessary spending.

And during the holidays, that means spending less time worrying about clutter and more time enjoying our family traditions.

After all, making room for what matters isn't just about clearing space in our homes. It's about making more room for the people and experiences that matter most.

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