Pre Holiday Purge: 10 Things to Declutter Before the Holidays

November is here even though summer just ended.  That means the holidays are coming fast, and before the decorations and guests arrive, it’s the perfect time to simplify your space, and do a little pre holiday purge.  I’ve compiled a list of 10 things you can declutter easily and quickly to help your home feel a little more holiday ready.

OMG!! How are the holidays here already!?? Excited? Anxious?

1. Kitchen & Pantry

Toss any old or expired food or spices to help make space for any additional items you need t ohave on hand for holiday baking and cooking.  Organize your spices and other staples, and check what you have against what you might need.  This will prevent you from overbuying and creating more chaos in the kitchen.

Keep the pantry under control so you know exactly what to buy without overbuying stuff you already have

2. Coat Closet or Entryway

Clear out any old or outgrown coats, hats and mismatched gloves to make space for guests’ things, and take inventory of anything your kids might need for the colder months.

3. Guest Room

If you plan to host overnight guests, declutter surfaces, clear out extra stuff from the closet and dresser and freshen linens so guest have a clean, comfortable, and welcoming space to settle for a few days.  

4. Kids’ Toys

Donate toys your kids have outgrown before new ones arrive.  Kids outgrow toys so quickly, and family members love to give the kids gifts.  As parents we might cringe a little when new toys come into the house, but we also love to see our kids' excitement and the joy they get from something new.  The best thing we can do is simply make space for the new.  I can guarantee there are some old toys they haven’t touched in the past year.  So start there.

5. Holiday Décor

Edit your décor stash — only keep what you actually use.  This sounds harder than it actually is.  Considering that retailers are on a mission to make you buy new stuff every year, and we actually fall for it year after year, I’m sure there are plenty of decor items in your stash that you haven’t actually used in a few years.  When you pull out the boxes of decorations, think quickly about each item as you pull it out, and make a quick decision about it.  If you don’t like it any more, get rid of it.  If you didn’t use it last year, and aren’t 100% sure where to put it this year then get rid of it.  

6. Paper & Mail Clutter

It’s likely your paper piles up on the kitchen counter.  I see it all the time.  Now is the time to clear those piles.  Don’t just move them to another location.  For real sort through them.  Shred stuff, recycle it, or just throw away the junk.  Stuff that is so important you need to keep should have a home in a private area of the house.  Simply moving piles to make space for company accomplishes nothing except giving yourself more work later, and losing things that might be important.  I know everyone hates to go through the mail.  But I’m going to be honest and tell you it only takes 2 minutes a day to prevent it from piling up.

7. Closets

If you haven’t already, do a quick seasonal closet clean out.  Donate seasonal clothing you didn’t wear this year, and you don’t like any more.  If you make this a regularly occurring task it won’t seem so daunting.  If you are likely to receive any new items during the holiday then you are creating space for the new stuff.  Always go with what you presently love, not what past you loved.   

8. Bathroom & Linen Closet

Toss expired products, and take a quick inventory of anything you may need.  You don’t want to be overbuying essentials during the holidays when spending is already a little crazy.  But you also want to make sure you have some things your guests might need but don’t go overboard.  

An orderly linen closet can help you find the fresh sheets when guest come around

9. Garage or Storage Room

Make sure you have space for those incoming packages, or hiding gifts for your kids.  Make sure you have room to pack away those holiday decorations once January rolls around.  

Get the storage area under control so you can find all the holiday decor

10. Mindset Reset

Think about your home and how you want to live in it.  Do you enjoy the chaos?  Or do you want a peaceful space where you can sit calmly to read or watch tv?  Every item you release creates space for peace.

If you feel like you are drowning in stuff inside your own home, consider tackling some of these tasks. Start small if you need to and just see how it feels to have space to live or just to think. You might be surprised!