The holiday season is upon us, and what better way to welcome the festivities than by decluttering your space? Don’t let the thought of a time-consuming cleanup dampen your holiday spirit. Wondering what should I declutter before Christmas? In just five minutes or less, you can make a significant impact on your living space. Here are 20 quick decluttering tasks to help create a more organized and stress-free environment before the holidays.
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Toss the toys
- Go through a toy bin and take out as many toys as you can within five minutes that the kids don’t play with.
Here is a quick tip on how to get the kids to help.
- Read the book A Bag for Santa and tell the kids to fill the bag with toys they want Santa to fix up for other kids in need. Watch how fast they can fill it in five minutes.
Junk Drawer Dive
- Spend 5 minutes tackling that notorious junk drawer. Discard expired coupons, old receipts, and any other random unnecessary items.
Expired Essentials
- Check your pantry, medicine cabinet, and beauty products for expired items. Toss out anything past its prime.
- Dispose of expired medications safely. Many pharmacies have drop-off locations for this purpose.
Mismatched Socks
- Match up loose socks and bid farewell to any singles without a pair.
Unused Kitchen Gadgets
- Clear out the kitchen drawers of gadgets you never use. Keep only the essentials.
Expired Coupons
- Check your wallet and purge it of expired coupons. Keep only the ones you’ll use before they expire.
Paper Mayhem
- Quickly flip through the paper pile that is sitting on the counter and get it filed and tossed away.
Declutter kitchen countertops and cabinets
Make more breathing room in your cabinets and drawers so you find things more quickly.
Old Magazines and Catalogs
- Recycle magazines and catalogs that have been piling up. Goodbye, Target Holiday book.
Decor
- Remove decorative items that may have collected dust and no longer fit inside your home.
Tangled Cables
- Detangle and organize your charging cables and electronic cords. Consider using cable organizers for a neater look.
Worn-out linen
- Check your linen closet for worn-out linen or stained towels. Donate them to a local animal shelter.
Dried-up Pens
- Test your pens and toss any that no longer work. Keep only the ones you enjoy using.
Unused Gift Wrap
- Consolidate and organize your gift-wrapping supplies, discarding any wrinkled or unused pieces.
Empty Jars and Containers
- Check your fridge and pantry for empty or nearly empty containers. Recycle or repurpose them as storage.
Unused Tupperware
- Match lids with containers and discard any that are missing a mate.
Declutter your expectations
I know I used to try to pack in all sides of the family and travel all around the world during the holidays, lugging kids, coats, and gifts. After a while, that got old, and the holidays always seemed rushed and frustrating because of travel and getting everyone to everywhere on time.
The holidays lost the spirit and became more of a travel to-do list, with long nights and driving days.
I gave up the rush on holidays and sometimes just had small gatherings with certain family members. I reserved the actual holiday day for our family unit.
Declutter your closet
- Quickly scan your closet for clothes you don’t wear. Donate them.
How do you declutter during the holidays?
I know the holiday season is super busy, and there seems to be a never-ending list of events and things to do. You can transform your living space from cluttered to cozy in just a few minutes each day. By tackling these quick decluttering tasks before the holidays, you’ll create a more welcoming environment for guests and set the stage for a more relaxed and enjoyable festive season. So, grab a timer, put on your favorite holiday tunes, and let the decluttering begin!