Does the holiday season fill you with joy, or do you find yourself a little overwhelmed by the thought of making space for guests, decorations, and gifts?
Balancing holiday cheer with the practicalities of creating space for extra food, presents, and entertaining guests can leave you feeling stressed. To fully enjoy the magic of the holidays, it’s helpful to create a little breathing space in your home. Taking time to declutter in the countdown to Christmas will make all the difference. Not only will it leave your space feeling calmer and more organised, but you’ll also feel relaxed and ready to embrace the season’s festivities. With a tidy home and a clear mind, you can focus on what truly matters, making joyful memories with loved ones.
Tidying key areas like the kitchen and living room creates space, making entertaining easier.
Decluttering outgrown or unused toys helps make room for Christmas gifts.
Plus, you’ll feel more organised and prepared, allowing you to enjoy the season without unnecessary stress.
Get Your Home Ready for Christmas with a Pre-Holiday Declutter
As a KonMari Consultant, I help clients transform their homes into calm, organised spaces. Decluttering isn’t just about tidying up, it’s about simplifying life and focusing on what truly matters. By clearing away items that no longer serve you, you create space for new experiences and cherished memories - exactly what makes Christmas so magical.
During the festive season, the extra decorations, gifts, and festive clutter can overwhelm our homes and minds, slowing us down at an already busy time. Spending just an hour decluttering can reduce this visual noise, leaving you feeling lighter and more relaxed.
Once the Christmas preparations are in full swing, it’s natural to focus on gift-buying and holiday décor rather than on letting go of things. However, the weeks leading up to Christmas are the perfect time to declutter, especially when it comes to children’s toys. Donating toys before Christmas gives parents shopping at charity shops a chance to find presents for their little ones, spreading the holiday spirit far beyond their own homes.
Decluttering Your Kitchen for Holiday Entertaining
Your kitchen will probably be at its busiest during the festive season when you're preparing meals and entertaining. To make sure you have the space you need for food prep, cooking, and hosting, start by decluttering your kitchen.
Begin by clearing out any expired or unused items from your pantry, fridge, and freezer. Check for spices, canned goods, or condiments that you haven’t used in months and dispose of anything past its sell-by date. Next, take a look at your countertop appliances. If there’s a blender or juicer that rarely gets used, store it away out of sight or donate it to make space for holiday baking or meal prep. Also, consider clearing out excess kitchenware, like duplicate utensils, old pots and pans, or serving dishes that you no longer need or use. Take a look at my step by step kitchen declutter guide for more inspiration.
By simplifying your kitchen, you'll have more room to prepare your festive meals and entertain guests. Plus, a decluttered kitchen makes cleaning up afterwards much quicker!
A Chance to Give Back
One of the most rewarding aspects of pre-Christmas decluttering is the opportunity to donate items to charity. The season of giving is an ideal time to rehome toys, clothes, and household items to people who could truly benefit from them. It’s a way to make space in your own life while also spreading joy to others in your community. The benefits go beyond a tidier home—there’s a unique satisfaction in knowing that items you no longer need can bring happiness to someone else.
The Joy of Decluttering with Children
They’re the smallest people in the house but often our children have the most stuff! How many times have you heard your children say they haven’t got anything to play with or don’t know what to do? Children, like adults, can feel overwhelmed by clutter or having too many choices so it's a great idea to review and declutter toys before the influx of Christmas gifts.
Involving children in the decluttering process offers valuable life lessons in gratitude and giving. As December approaches, it can be helpful to encourage your children to create space for new gifts by parting with toys or games they’ve outgrown. Spending time together selecting which items to keep and which to donate can be both fun and educational, helping them understand that Christmas isn’t just about receiving but also about sharing and kindness.
How to declutter toys with children
Gather All Toys Together: Involve your children in collecting toys from around the house, making a game of it by seeing who can gather the most!
Sort by Category: Once all the toys are in one place, group them into categories like puzzles, soft toys, or board games.
Choose Favourites: Encourage your child to choose their favourite toys from each category, focusing on the ones they love the most. These will be the toys they decide to keep. Ask them to put any toys they no longer play with in a donation pile.
Set Up Accessible Storage: Organise the toys you’re keeping using boxes or trays so children know where everything goes. This keeps tidying up simple and manageable, even after a busy day of play.
Rotating toys can also keep things fresh, so try storing a few away and bring them out after Christmas. It will make it easier to find homes for the new toys that arrive and keep the clutter under control.
Tips for Donating Toys and Clothes
When it comes to donating, quality over quantity matters. Only give toys in good condition, with all the parts included, and clean them beforehand. If you’re donating clothes and other household items, make sure they're clean and in good condition.
Most charity shops and lots of community organisations accept donations at this time of year. I also like to use apps like OLIO or local Facebook groups as they work well to donate items to nearby families.
Enjoy The Benefits of Decluttering Before the Festive Rush
Imagine welcoming the festive season with an organised home, knowing that everything has a place. Decluttering before Christmas ensures that you can easily manage the festivities, from hosting guests to wrapping gifts, without feeling overwhelmed by the “stuff” around you. Once Christmas Day has passed, tidying up will be quicker and simpler, a gift you’ll thank yourself for.
Whether you’re preparing for guests, making room for new toys, or simply seeking a little calm, it's worth taking some time out from the festive preparations to declutter. The KonMari Method encourages you to use gratitude and joy as your guides, helping to make the process of letting go easier whilst embracing all the feels of the holiday season.
Hi! I’m Sue, a professional home organiser and KonMari Consultant based in Hampshire, UK. I had the privilege of training with Marie Kondo and by using her methods, I help growing families and empty nesters Rightsize their Homes.
We declutter and organise to clear space and time so they can get on with the important job of enjoying life.
Are you ready to start living A Life More Organised?
For a no-obligation chat about how I can help, please get in touch.
m: 07740 782575 www.alifemoreorganised.co.uk
I'd love to keep in touch - why not follow me on Instagram or join in the conversation in my Facebook group
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