Holiday Prep #1: The Top 10 Areas to Declutter Before the Holidays

How do you declutter before the holidays? The holidays can be quite stressful, and then we have to squeeze in all the excesses. We're left watching the piles of gifts continuously stream into our homes and dealing with a mountain of tasks on our to-do list while our obligations pile up rapidly.

Every year, many people who have a lot to be thankful for seem to lose sight of what really matters. In the madness of holiday shopping and preparing an endless amount of meals, there is a tendency to lose track of what gifts or meals are meaningful and which ones only take up valuable space. Which is why it’s a good idea to take a few hours off before the holidays get too hectic and start going through everything you have in your closets, drawers, and cabinets – donating or selling anything that’s not needed. This helps you not only create space for new items that will inevitably be coming into your home during the holidays but also simplifies gift giving as well as preparing for those holiday dinners with friends and relatives.

Get ahead of the holiday craze, and start early this year.

10 Best things to declutter before the holiday season:

1. Declutter your kids toys

The holidays is a great time to teach your kids about decluttering. Not only will it help maintain some organizational sanity around the home, but it can also be a great learning experience for them! Some parents choose to let their child select 5 toys they no longer enjoy playing with and would like to donate.

This is a great time to teach kids about the importance of helping others, sharing what they have, and being kind to one another. Let them know that it's important to not be too attached to old toys or material things - even before the holidays - so that people who are less fortunate will have something new to play with themselves!

2. Declutter your books

Many book lovers receive a plethora of new books over the holiday season. Take into consideration how many books you already own and consider giving a few that you already have enjoyed to someone else who might equally enjoy them as well. This is a great opportunity to give away books you once loved, and in turn allowing yourself more room for even more beautiful literary works to grace the shelves of your home.

3. Declutter your kitchen (fridge, freezer & pantry)

You probably don’t have time to do a major kitchen declutter but even going through your utensils, mugs, and cups will go a long way. The kitchen tends to be the hub of any holiday get together so you probably spend a lot more time cooking and baking during the holidays. Take some time just before the holidays to remove just a bit of the clutter from your cupboards and when big family gatherings arrive in December you’ll feel much more at ease when in there!

Now is a great time to donate extra canned goods and items you won’t use. It’s also a great time to get rid of expired foods in fridge and freezer and foods that your family doesn’t prefer. There tends to be a lot more cooking and baking during the holidays so now is a great time to see what you already have before buying new.

4. Declutter your counters

With the holiday season comes a host of opportunities to entertain at home with family and friends. In an attempt to avoid last minute kitchen chaos, consider getting a head start by decluttering the countertops in the days leading up to any major event. Start with removing junk mail, and putting away what belongs in cabinets or drawers, then ask for help putting everything in their rightful places. You'll find that once everything has been put into its proper spot, not only will your kitchen look much better but also it will give you a feeling of accomplishment.

5. Declutter your closet

Of course there is a chance you might end up with a couple more new sweaters for this winter, but wouldn't it be nice to have a couple less pieces in your closet, so you can welcome in the new pieces. In the hustle and bustle of this holiday season, be sure to take a few moments to declutter your closet! It only takes a couple of minutes to go through and quickly fill a bag of clothes you no longer wear or fit into. Let go of the old, so you can welcome in the new!

6. Declutter your bathroom (lotions, candles, & fragrance)

Lotions, candles and fragrances may be the go-to gifts for many holiday seasons because they are inexpensive and practical; who doesn't like lathering up ? Or setting a nice atmosphere with a candle or two? But over time we tend to accumulate these things and sometimes we forget about them because we don’t know what to do with them! Here's an easy tip: go through your bathroom and let go of any lotions or perfumes you haven’t used from last season. If there is anything that has passed its prime, such as something you really don't like or haven't used for a long period of time, why not throw it out. Have a look through your candles, are there any that have passed their prime?

7. Declutter holiday decor

Before you put any decorations up, take a look at what you have. So many of us simply stuff things in boxes at the end of last season instead of trying to determine if an item is something we actually want to use again the following year. Holiday décor and ornaments are often used year over year, which is great. However, we all have those few pieces that you really don’t like but feel like you need to hold on to... But it's TOTALLY OKAY to get rid of them (or even throw them away). You can always pass them down or help them find "their new home"! I am encouraging you guys out there who may be inclined to keeping old holiday decor around just because you feel like you need to hold onto it just because some relative gave it to you one time, etc., etc., etc.... Remember, if YOU personally aren't into that piece then it will forever be just more stuff cluttering your living space!

8. Declutter gift wrap

Take some time during the holidays to inventory what gift wrapyou have. By taking stock of what you have on hand, it's easy to NOT get seduced into buying more stuff that sounds great but will just add more clutter! Gather up contents that are torn, wrinkled or otherwise past their prime. If they can't be used for another Christmas present, it’s okay to let it go. A friend of mine had a great idea for holiday gift wrap, she reused fabric and wrapped her families gifts in pretty fabric. It’s reusable, helps the environment and saves you having to buy wrapping paper every year.

9. Expectations

Mindset is really going to dictate the outcome of your holiday season. Being social is great, but it can quickly turn into a whirlwind. Society tells you that you have to do everything and be everywhere in order to be considered fulfilled in one’s life. Well, we want you to know: it’s fine if you don’t do what everyone else does during the holiday season. That doesn't make you less happy; in fact, we believe it could free up some time for more meaningful interactions with loved ones!

10. Declutter your calendar to-do list

Are there things on your calendar that you dread going to or feel a bit uneasy about? You’re not alone- a lot of people don’t like going to the same places year after year! There are lots of ways to find new experiences if you look for them. See if there are any activities on your list which you can politely decline this year - starting by taking yourself out from obligation! No matter how much we love our business or work, sometimes all we need is a break to step away from it. In the end, it makes us happier and reenergized once we get back into the swing of things!