The holiday season is in full swing, bringing with it a
welcoming influx of guests and even gifts. With all of the action and
excitement from now to the end of the year, it’s easy for clutter to compile.
The best way to keep your home clutter free during the
holiday season is to clear clutter before, during, and after the holiday season
a few minutes at a time. We have tips for what to do to get a jump on clearing
clutter and maintaining a clean home throughout the holiday season.
Before Guests Arrive
Excited about seeing friends and family members whose
company you haven’t had the chance to enjoy in a while? Welcome them into a cozy
clutter free atmosphere by doing this a few moments each day:
1. Declutter Your Holiday Décor.
Decluttering holiday decorations can save
you time and money while allowing you to take inventory of all the wonderful
items you want to preserve for holidays to come. Sort the items into donate,
gift or discard piles to make a simple process for purging. The gift pile could
save you money on last minute Christmas gifts!
2. Clear Kitchen Clutter
The kitchen is a busy area during the holiday
season. To make more room get rid of broken or duplicate utensils, cups, plates
and glasses first. Next, remove any expired canned goods or spices and donate
any that are unlikely to be used with good dates. Lastly survey your kitchen
for appliances you’ve never used or are duplicates. These items could be
excellent gifts.
3. Declutter Guest Towels and Linens
As you prepare your home to host family and
friends decluttering the linen closet can save you lots of time when prepping
guest rooms or bathrooms. Look through linens and towels first discarding any
worn, hole ridden, torn or ragged items. Next look through the remaining items
to see which linens and towels no longer suit your décor style and can be
donated. If there are any brand new or unopened items consider gifting those
items.
4. Clear Bathroom Clutter
Bathrooms counters and under sink storage
often become a catch all space for forgotten toiletries, makeup and beauty
related appliances. To start decluttering, clear the counter of any styling
appliances, makeup, hair accessories, or jewelry. Next remove any laundry from
the bathroom. Take a few moments each day to reorganize cabinets in a space
saving way by stacking items or using baskets and bins to bring order to the
space.
As You Celebrate and Entertain
You guests are gathered and you’re enjoying their company. There
are simple ways to keep your home tidy without encroaching on everyone’s fun. Keeping
the clutter at bay doesn’t need to be a daunting task if you take a few moments
to do the following:
1. Keep Surfaces Clear
Kitchen counters, dining and coffee tables
are notorious clutter magnets during holiday gatherings. Tidy up these surfaces
with help by making sure bins, baskets or storage containers, like ottomans,
are readily available for guests items knick-knacks and gifts to be stored. Consider
having bags available for guests to take their gifts home in or doing a
wrapping paper sweep during and after gifts are opened.
2. Have Designated Spaces for Everything
Save time and energy, by making sure every item
has a definitive home and properly placing items in those defined spaces after
they are used. One possible solution is using decorative items that double as storage
as part of your festive decorations. Other great items to repurpose for storage
are bureaus, buffets, bar and serving carts, mason jars, mugs, pitchers and of
course decorative baskets and bins.
3. Keep a Clear Coat Closet
Experts at WomansDay.com suggest picking up
“anything preventing the door from opening and closing smoothly.” They also suggest
a clever way to make room for guests outerwear and accessories in your closet
by layering two of your coats on sturdy hangers and sliding your items to one
side. You can then “Add one empty hanger for every two guests” and “plan to
double up their coats, too.” Consider adding scarf hangers or a bin
specifically for hats to save more space.
After the Holiday Haze Clears
After the guests have returned home and you’re ready to
return to normal, consider creating a clean routine to keep your home clear of
clutter. Try crafting a routine that best fits the time you will be most
effective. This can be done by assigning specific tasks to certain days or
doing a quick clean daily in small time increments. See our Daily
Declutter Checklist for ideas. Then try these simple ways to make room
after receiving holiday gifts:
- Donating or recycling old magazines.
- Getting rid of clothing or accessories you haven't worn in 2 years,
especially winter coats.
- Sell or recycle your old electronics while purchasing new electronics.
- Designate a basket or bin for useful items that can be donated like
toys, or blankets.
- Clean out your purse or wallet and remember to use gift cards.
Conquering holiday clutter can be simple with the tips above. Organizing
your home does not have to happen overnight or after your home is overflowing
with clutter. You can work through a process before your guests arrive and
reclaim your space and quality time with friends and loved ones.
Get more great ideas to clear clutter by searching clutter,
organize, or declutter on our blog archive!