By: Sonya Fehér
The holiday season is upon us, bringing with it joy, celebration, and often, an influx of gifts and decorations. But all too often, this season can also bring clutter and be overwhelming. Instead of starting the new year feeling buried under a mountain of stuff, why not take a proactive approach to your space? With a little preparation and some quick decluttering strategies, you can create a more inviting home and enjoy a smoother transition into the new year.
The holidays often inundate our homes with gifts, decorations, and other seasonal items. Without a plan, this can lead to overcrowded spaces and stress. Decluttering ahead of time allows you to welcome new, meaningful items without feeling overwhelmed. By tackling common clutter hotspots, you’ll create a more inviting environment for holiday gatherings and set the stage for a peaceful start to the new year.
With Christmas and Hanukkah just days away, here are quick, actionable tips to help you get your home holiday-ready.
Involve the Whole Family
Decluttering doesn’t have to be a solo project. Get everyone in your household involved. Encourage kids to make room for new toys by letting go of ones they’ve outgrown. Teach them the joy of giving by donating items to children in need. Beyond toys, consider donating gently used items to local shelters or charities that might appreciate holiday gifts and winter gear.
Do a Pre-Holiday Quick Declutter
Focus on high-traffic areas that are likely to receive new items:
· Coat Closet: Remove outdated or unused jackets, hats, gloves, and scarves.
· Kitchen Cabinets: Let go of dishes, serving pieces, or appliances you rarely use. Retire duplicate or rarely used gadgets.
· Bookshelf: Donate books you’ve already read or no longer enjoy.
· Clothing Drawers and Closets: Create instant space by removing items that don’t fit, are damaged, or no longer bring you joy. Note: If you’re saving sizes for hand-me downs, or that you hope to fit into or that you think you might need again, move them into bins and only keep your current size and good condition clothing in the closet.
· Toy Bins: Sort through and donate toys that are broken, outgrown, or no longer played with.
· Electronics Drawer: Recycle old chargers and donate outdated gadgets.
This pre-holiday reset will create room for new arrivals and make your spaces feel lighter and more organized.
Process Gifts and Reset after the Holiday
Set aside time after the holidays for a focused decluttering session.
· Keep an empty box or bag handy for outgoing items.
· Process new gifts and decide where they’ll live in your home.
· Donate duplicate or unnecessary items.
· Reset your living spaces so you’re ready to start the new year feeling refreshed.
· As you take holiday decorations down, discard broken ornaments or lights and donate decor you no longer use.
Bonus Tip: Do Some Digital Decluttering
While you’re in the organizing mindset, don’t forget your digital spaces. Take a few moments to:
· Clear phone photo storage.
· Unsubscribe from unnecessary email lists.
· Delete unused apps.
· Organize digital files and photos.
The goal of decluttering isn’t to create emptiness but to cultivate intentionality. Instead of letting your home overflow with things you don’t love or use, you’re choosing to prioritize what truly matters. By embracing this mindset, you can enjoy a calmer, more organized holiday season and enter the new year with clarity and purpose.
Happy decluttering, and happy holidays!
By: Sonya Fehér
Organizer, Coach, Author, & Speaker
December 20, 2024
