Pre-Christmas decluttering rules – 7 steps I always follow for smooth, seamless and happy holiday hosting

Christmas, as wonderful and magical a time of year as it is, can also be one of the most overwhelming holidays, especially when it comes to the clutter of it all.

With all the celebrations, family, friends and gifting, my home can often end up looking less serene and more like Santa's workshop. To combat this, I complete a big pre-Christmas decluttering session at the beginning of December each year.

This harnesses many of the same decluttering tips I use throughout the year, to make space for new, festive treats.

The 7 pre-Christmas decluttering rules I always rely on

Susan Stewart, professional organizer and owner of Perfectly Placed says, 'Clutter happens when things are coming in at a faster rate than they are going out, and at no other time of year are things coming in at a faster rate than during the holidays. I call pre-holiday decluttering making room for Santa.'

1. Clear out the pantry 

My favorite bit about Christmas is often the food I get to enjoy – especially the homemade stuff. Because I, like many people, usually go a little over the top when it comes to my Christmas grocery list. I always start my pre-Christmas declutter by clearing my pantry ideas and taking inventory of what I already have.

I am pretty good at sticking with my pantry organization ideas and systems throughout the year, and keeping them neat. However, Christmas usually introduces foods and condiments that are a little different from my usual larder staples, such as cranberry sauce and stuffing mix. So, I firstly make sure to remove anything that has expired from my pantry, as well as anything I have bought or will not use (which I donate) before taking stock of what I have left.

Tina Priestly, owner and CEO at Ready, Set, REFRESH, says, 'A well-organized pantry creates space for holiday treats and makes it easier to locate what you need when cooking.'

Then, I sort what I am keeping into my organized storage solutions. Priestly recommends the Rubbermaid Roughneck Variety Pack Storage Totes available at Amazon, as the strong, stackable bins are great for keeping similar items together, so it's easy to see what you already have and what you need to stock-up on before the big day.

That done, I am not just left with plenty of space to fit in all of my Christmas goodies, but I can see exactly what I need to put on my holiday grocery list.

2. Make space in the refrigerator and freezer

Just as with the pantry and kitchen cabinets, it's important the refrigerator and freezer are partly cleared out to make way for the pre-cooking I'm planning to do. I like to get gravy, sauces, stuffing and even roast potatoes part-prepared and frozen, and for that I'm going to need space.

So, from early December, I make sure to cook up and serve what's in the freezer in particular, organize the freezer, and make a point of going through the refrigerator to get rid of anything that's past its best.

I take the chance to clean the refrigerator, too, using the number one bestselling Lysol Pro Kitchen Spray Cleaner and Degreaser available at Amazon, and a microfiber cloth, such as the MR.SIGA Microfiber Cleaning Cloth available at Walmart.

3. Prepare the guest spaces

I have to admit I generally neglect my guest bedroom ideas, and instead mainly use ours as an overflow for clothes and shoes, and for anything else I don't have a designated space for.

So, I usually spend the first weekend in December decluttering it, finding a rightful space for the pieces I've stashed there, and making room in drawers and closets for long-staying guests to put their clothes (I have built up some great closet decluttering tips over time).

This, I think, helps them to feel more welcome, and nearer the time, I'll indulge the space in a few Christmas bedroom decor ideas to get them in the festive mood when they arrive, too. It's always a good idea to focus your decluttering efforts on the communal spaces to organize before Thanksgiving or Christmas and hosting season.

To get things in order, organizing expert Priestly recommends adding hooks to the door to give the impression that a guest room is larger, while offering a place for guests to store coats, luggage and towels. She says, 'I recommend the Anfeichen Over The Door Organizer available at Amazon, as they are waterproof and perfect for holding a variety of items.'

I also use under-bed storage, which Priestly describes as a 'terrific' method to keep the guest room orderly, to store any additional blankets and pillows your guest may need. 'The storageLAB Under Bed Storage Containers available at Amazon are a decent choice,' says Priestly. 'They maximize your space without sacrificing neatness thanks to their robust sides and easy sliding beneath the bed.'

And, of course, since those overflow clothes and shoes are in the guest bedroom, it's very likely I've not worn them much in the past year, so I take it as a great opportunity to donate or sell decluttered items, too.

4. Cut back on Christmas decor as I decorate 

When I finally get to making my Christmas tree ideas a reality and decorate my home for the season, I also like to declutter as I go.

While I am decorating, I consider each item, and ask myself if I still like it and if it still adds anything to my overall theme. If the answer is no, then that decoration is added to the donate pile. Given that I add to my Christmas ornament collection every year without fail, this is a great way of making sure I keep a lid it, and it makes it easier to put everything back into my ZOBER Christmas Ornament Storage Box (available at Amazon) come January.

This also allows me to donate my unwanted decorations ahead of Christmas, to give others the opportunity to shop sustainably and welcome them into their sustainable Christmas decor ideas. And, if I know someone who will love something in particular, I make sure to give it to them ahead of time. 'Tis the season for giving, after all!

5. Declutter the entryway and closet 

With so many guests expected over the season, I usually take the time to organize my entryway, putting out of season shoes and coats away upstairs, so that there's space in the closet for guests' coats and shoes. Then, if you don't already have one, I recommend adding a shoe rack to your entryway, such as the Simple Houseware 3-Tier Shoe Rack Storage Organizer available at Amazon, so your guests have plenty of space to stash their shoes as soon as they walk through the door. A coat stand, such as the Simple Houseware Standing Coat and Hat Hanger Organizer Rack available at Amazon, can also be a useful addition, and you can disassemble it for storage when not in use, too.

Having a clear, functional entryway also means moving clutter such as mail, car keys, and non-Christmas decor off of my entry sideboard to make space for my maximalist Christmas decor ideas, and also for anything guests bring in with them.

6. Use the 20-minute declutter rule

Pre-Christmas, I like to use the 20/20 rule for decluttering. This method involves getting rid of anything that I can replace for less than $20, or in under 20 minutes, if I suddenly needed them again.

This means I give each room time over the course of a weekend to get rid of anything I've gathered during the year, and right up to Christmas, that I don't really need or want, and which could be better donated to charity.

I simply go from room to room, filling a large storage basket, such as the INDRESSME XXXLarge Cotton Rope Basket available at Amazon, and opt for one with handles for easy-carrying between rooms and to the car once full.

Most of these things I fill my basket with at home are usually replaced by much more meaningful or useful gifts, but I know that if they are not (and I find myself missing them for whatever reason) they are not impossible to get back again.

And in the meantime, they could become useful gifts for someone else, and may be suitable for donating to Christmas gifting initiatives, such as the Salvation Army's 'Adopt an Angel' program, that provides toys and clothes for over one million children who usually go without gifts.

7. Declutter the living spaces

With Christmas comes guests, and they will spend the majority of their time in the living room. Then there are all the gifts: at first neatly under the tree, then afterwards in piles around the room until everything gets put away, which can, realistically, take a couple of days.

So, usually the week before Christmas, I use a small living room decluttering checklist, to declutter my living room of anything I don't need, or won't use over the holiday period. For example, coffee table books can be put away to make room for a tray of snacks or board games, and non-festive decor can make way for cocktail glasses or seasonal touches.

There are items to get rid of in your living room, so, while decluttering and tidying, I make sure to set these aside for donation or the trash. Therefore, it can be helpful to have a sturdy trash bag handy, such as the Hefty Strong Large Trash Bags available at Amazon.

In other words, I try to set the space up as cozy, welcoming and pretty, but with room to breathe.

FAQs

What should I declutter before Christmas? 

When considering the best places to declutter before Christmas, start with any areas of your home that will be used for hosting or storing Christmas gifts. For example, decluttering your family room and storage closets is a great place to start. If you have children, consider decluttering and donating their toys with them, before sorting through closets, and under-bed storage to make way for new additions.

Doing this before Christmas also means families looking for gifts in charity shops can pick up some great items when it counts most for them. Waiting till the New Year to start your decluttering means holding back items that can be much needed and wanted during the festive season.

Other spaces such as your pantry can be decluttered before you complete your Christmas grocery shop to make sure you do not double up on items, and make space for new seasonal groceries you usually don't stock at home. If you're not sure where to start on how to declutter a pantry, our expert-led guide clearly breaks it down.

'For the ultimate treat, consider hiring a professional organizer to work with you,' recommends professional organizer Stewart. 'An organizer will guide you through the process and lighten the load both physically and mentally.'

Once decluttering is under way, or completed, don't forget to turn your attention to pre-Christmas cleaning – these are the tasks I always tick off ahead of the big day.