9 Declutter Activities for a Stress Free Holiday Season

Contributed by Jen Du Bois

The holidays snuck up on us . . . again. 

Time for the festive events, gift-giving, decadent meals, and all the things that come along with this time of the year. Every year, we make a commitment to ourselves to avoiding the frenzy and savor in all the goodness the season has to offer. More often than not, things don’t turn out as planned.

Allow yourself some grace and take a deep breath. 

Here are 9 pre-holiday declutter activities you can do now to make the season less of a stressor and more enjoyable:

1. Baking supplies – Go through your ingredients and toss any that have expired or you rarely use. Stock up on any you’ll need throughout the holiday season. 

2. Spices and herbs – Take a good look at your spices. Toss any that have hardened or changed color or aroma. Replace any that you’ll need for your holiday dishes. 

3. Home decor – Clear off the areas where you’ll likely display your holiday decorations. Donate any knick-knacks or decorative elements that no longer match your personal style. Toss any that need repair. 

4. Dishes – Discard stained plastic items, broken dishware, or souvenir cups. Donate any that are in great condition to a local charity.

5. Gift wrapping supplies – Toss any that are crumpled or torn. Donate any that you haven’t used in a while. When purchasing replacement items, consider purchasing solid colors. You can always make it holiday or event-specific by adding festive ribbons.

6. Toys – The end of the year is one of the best times to purge toys. Work with your children to decide which ones they will part with. Discard the broken ones and donate any that are gently used or they have outgrown. 

7. Guest areas – Go through your guest bathroom and bedroom. Clear the spaces of any items that don’t belong. Refresh linens and restock any guest essentials. 

8. Holiday decor – Get rid of any you haven’t used in the past few years. Donate any that are in good working condition as soon as you can. This will ensure they are available for someone else to purchase this holiday season. 

9. Calendar – Yes, you should declutter your calendar too. Minimize the number of commitments you have for the rest of the year. Free up as much time as you can to allow yourself to be more present to enjoy the season and time with your loved ones. 

These 9 pre-holiday tips will go a long way to support you in having the energy to enjoy all of the festivities and space to accommodate all the things that will enter your home throughout the season.

Jennifer Du Bois, Lead Professional Organizer/CEO

Organized by Jen D.

www.organizedbyjend.com