It’s Christmas morning and you’re sipping your coffee attempting to caffeinate after a long night of wrapping gifts and assembling toys. Santa should hire you; you’re an expert by now!
The kids are gleefully shredding the wrapping paper off of their gifts and squealing with excitement. You crack a sleepy smile because you know you helped make some great memories for them.
But then, you notice that there’s more gifts than actual floor around the tree. Where is all this stuff going to go?! Never mind the caffeine, panic now has you on high alert imagining what nooks and crannies you can shove all these gifts into.
Whoa, take a deep breath! Grab another cup of coffee (maybe decaf this time?) because I’ve got your back with these practical and surprisingly fun tips for decluttering for Christmas and making room before the holiday haul!
We know kids tend to get the most gifts and likely have the most need for decluttering but all these tips work just as well for adults. It’s the perfect time to get the whole family involved!
Turn Toy Decluttering Into a Fun Challenge
Kids love a good game, so why not turn purging their toys into one? Set a timer for 15 minutes and see who can find the most toys to donate. Offer small rewards like choosing the next family movie night pick, or an extra bedtime story.
Focus on toys that:
- Haven’t been touched in months.
- Have missing pieces or are broken.
- Your child has outgrown (bye-bye, baby rattles!).
Get your kids involved by explaining that their toys can bring joy to other children this holiday season. It’s a great opportunity to teach gratitude and generosity!
Pro Tip: For sentimental toys your kids can’t bear to part with but never play with, consider taking a photo before donating. That way, the memory stays without the clutter.
Declutter by Category
Tackling your home room by room can feel overwhelming, so when decluttering for Christmas, narrow it down to categories instead.
For example:
- Books: Sort through and choose a few you’re ready to pass on. Keep your favorites or books your kids may grow into.
- Clothing: Haven’t worn it in over a year? Does it have stains or holes? It’s time to say goodbye.
- Games and Puzzles: Keep the ones your family plays with regularly and donate those collecting dust.
By focusing on one category at a time, you’ll see progress without feeling like you need to take on the entire house at once.
Pro Tip: Don’t forget to actually get the unwanted items OUT of your house! Need help finding local organizations to donate to? Check out my Recycling and Donation Resources page!
Create a “One In, One Out” Rule
Make room for new gifts by adopting a simple rule: for every new item coming in, one old item has to go out. This works especially well with toys, clothes, and books.
Before the holiday season kicks into full swing, involve your kids in a pre-Christmas declutter. Have them pick items they’re ready to part with to “make room for Santa.” Framing it as preparation for receiving new gifts gets them excited about the process instead of resistant.
This is an excellent rule for any time of year and helps keep your clutter managed with hardly any effort!
Pro Tip: Label a box “Donation Station” and keep it accessible throughout December. Encourage everyone in the family to add items they no longer need. By the time the holidays arrive, you’ll have already freed up space for new treasures.
Reimagine Storage Spaces
Sometimes, making room isn’t about getting rid of things but about using your space more efficiently.
Consider creative storage solutions like:
- Under-Bed Storage Bins: Perfect for seasonal items or out-of-rotation toys.
- Wall-Mounted Shelves: Use vertical space to store books, games, or display beloved toys.
- Rotating Toy Bins: Store half the toys away and swap them out every few months. This not only creates space but also makes old toys feel new again!
Reassess closets, cabinets, and toy boxes to ensure you’re maximizing their potential. Sometimes, a quick reorganization is all it takes to create more breathing room.
Gift an Experience Instead
Encourage friends and family to gift experiences instead of physical items. Art classes, karate lessons or a “gift certificate” for a camping trip can provide your family with lasting memories and maybe even ignite a passion that could change their lives!
Enjoy A More Relaxed Christmas Morning
Now that you’ve planned ahead you can sit back and relax with that cup of coffee. Cozy up in your new unicorn themed slippers and robe chosen by your 4-year-old and know that every gift has a home and your living room will return to (tidy) normalcy in just a few days.
There, isn’t that better?
Happy Holidays!