Decluttering Before the Holidays: A Step-by-Step Plan for Busy Moms

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Declutter before the holidays with this simple step-by-step guide for busy moms. Create a stress-free, organized home ready for the holiday season!

Holiday Decluttering Tips

The holidays are just around the corner, which means family gatherings, festive decor, and more stuff filling up your home.

While the season brings joy and warmth, it also comes with its fair share of chaos—especially if your home is already feeling cluttered.

A cozy living room featuring a gray sectional couch adorned with white throw pillows sets the scene for a Christmas Home Tour. A side table holds a lamp, small decorative trees, and reindeer ornaments. The space is brightened by windows with white frames, while a houseplant is visible on the left.

As a busy mom, I know how hard it can be to find the time and energy to tackle decluttering when you’ve got a million other things on your plate.

But trust me, clearing out the clutter before the holidays can be a game-changer.

It not only makes your space feel more peaceful and organized, but it also helps you prep for all the new toys, gifts, and decor that are about to flood your home.

Here’s a simple, step-by-step plan to help you declutter your space without the overwhelm—just in time for the holidays.

This post contains affiliate links for your convenience. For more information, see my disclosures here.

How to Declutter Before the Holidays

Step 1: Start with the “High-Traffic” Areas

The first step in decluttering is to focus on the spaces you use the most.

These are the rooms where family and friends will gather, and where you’ll likely spend the bulk of your time during the holidays.

Think living room, kitchen, dining area, and entryway.

Bright, modern interior with large windows, a staircase, and an open doorway creates a serene escape for busy moms. A kitchen island in the foreground features a vase with flowers and a cake stand under a glass cover, adding decorative elements to the clean, minimalist space.

These areas will not only look tidier and more inviting, but you’ll feel an instant sense of accomplishment when you see how clean and open they are.

How to Start:

  • Clear off surfaces—declutter your countertops, coffee tables, and shelves.
  • Evaluate furniture—is there anything you can temporarily move or store to make the space more open and functional for gatherings?
  • Corral clutter—use baskets or bins for small items like remotes, mail, or magazines to keep them out of sight.

If you have limited time, just 10-15 minutes a day can make a noticeable difference!

Step 2: Tackle the Kids’ Toys

If you’re a mom, you know that toys can quickly take over your entire house—especially when the holidays roll around and more toys are added to the mix.

Now is the perfect time to declutter the kids’ play areas and make room for what’s coming.

You’ll be less stressed when the holiday gifts start pouring in, and your kids may even appreciate their toys more when they’re not buried under piles of stuff.

Shop: Best Christmas Gift Ideas for Kids

A tidy playroom in a stylish home features a white shelving unit filled with books and colorful toys, a miniature kitchen set with a sink and stove, a plush cactus, and a toy vacuum cleaner. A circular window lets in natural light, while a floor lamp illuminates the family-friendly home decor.

Shop The Play Area

How to Start:

  • Get your kids involved (if they’re old enough)—make it a fun game where they choose toys to donate to other kids.
  • Sort into categories—make piles for toys to keep, donate, or toss. Get rid of anything broken, missing pieces, or outgrown.
  • Rotate toys—store some of the “keepers” in bins or baskets and rotate them out over time. This keeps your home clutter-free and makes old toys feel new again.

Pro Tip: Have a designated basket for toys in the living room or other high-traffic areas so they can easily be tidied up when guests come over.

Step 3: Declutter the Kitchen and Pantry

If your kitchen is the heart of the home during the holidays (and let’s be honest, it often is), then making sure it’s clutter-free will help reduce stress when it’s time to cook, bake, and entertain.

A modern kitchen with light wood flooring features a large island with a white countertop and open shelving, perfect for busy moms seeking practicality. Three black pendant lights hang above. The room includes white cabinets, a stainless steel refrigerator, and minimalist decor items like vases and bowls.

A cluttered kitchen makes it harder to prep meals and snacks when guests come over, and having an organized pantry means you won’t be scrambling to find ingredients.

How to Start:

  • Purge the pantry—get rid of expired food, stale snacks, or anything that’s been shoved to the back and forgotten.
  • Streamline kitchen gadgets—store appliances and gadgets you rarely use, and keep the ones you’ll need (like that slow cooker for holiday dinners) easily accessible.
  • Organize your fridge—toss old leftovers and expired condiments to make room for holiday treats and meals.
  • Declutter countertops—clear off anything you don’t use daily. Keep counters as clutter-free as possible to make cooking and baking easier.

Read: Organizing Your Kitchen for Fall: Simple Tips to Keep It Functional

Step 4: Declutter Closets and Entryways

As guests arrive and you prepare to swap out lighter clothing for bulkier coats, scarves, and boots, having an organized entryway and closet space will make life so much easier.

The entryway sets the tone when you walk in the door, and having a designated spot for coats, shoes, and bags helps everyone stay organized (and less frazzled).

Read: How to Organize Your Entryway for Fall: Managing Coats, Boots, and Bags

A mudroom with olive green built-in cabinets featuring black handles creates an ideal decluttering space for busy moms. Below, a wooden bench with open cubbies keeps essentials organized. A window on the right lets in natural light, highlighting the wooden floor—perfect for holidays or everyday use.

How to Start:

  • Sort coats and shoes—keep only what you wear regularly and donate anything that’s too small or no longer needed. Rotate seasonal items, putting summer sandals or light jackets into storage.
  • Create zones—use hooks or shelves to designate a spot for each family member’s coat, shoes, and bag. Label if necessary, so there’s no confusion.
  • Basket or bin for hats and gloves—keep cold-weather accessories contained so they don’t pile up.

Shop Baskets

Step 5: Focus on Paper Clutter

Paper clutter seems to multiply out of nowhere, especially around the holidays with all the cards, invitations, catalogs, and school papers flying around.

But it’s also one of the easiest places to start decluttering.

Amidst a pink background, a desk showcases organized essentials: keyboard, glasses, a notepad with a hand jotting down notes, planner, pencils, and AirPods. A water glass perched on a coaster hints at refreshing breaks—a perfect setup for busy moms mastering decluttering techniques.

Decluttering paper will clear off your countertops, dining table, or desk, and make your home feel instantly more organized.

How to Start:

  • Sort and shred—go through mail, receipts, old bills, and other papers, and shred what you no longer need.
  • Designate a mail station—create a dedicated spot where all incoming mail goes, so it doesn’t end up scattered all over the house.
  • File what’s important—important documents like bills, warranties, and school forms should be filed immediately or stored in a clear folder for easy access.

Step 6: Create a Holiday Decluttering Schedule

Decluttering doesn’t have to happen all at once.

In fact, it’s easier and less overwhelming if you break it up into small, manageable tasks over a few days or weeks.

Having a plan makes it easier to stay on track, and doing a little bit each day keeps you from getting burned out.

A minimalist workspace featuring a notepad, a gold pen, and a closed laptop on a white desk exudes tranquility. Nearby, a round lamp and glass of iced coffee accompany the scene. Perfect for busy moms seeking decluttering inspiration in their creative haven.

How to Start:

  • Make a list—write down the areas of your home that need the most attention and prioritize them.
  • Block out time—set aside 15-30 minutes each day to tackle a specific area. You’d be amazed at how much progress you can make with just a little time each day.
  • Involve the family—get your kids or spouse to help with simple tasks. Even just picking up toys or putting away laundry can take a load off your shoulders.

Explore: Organizing Printables

Step 7: Donate, Toss, or Sell

As you declutter, it’s important to actually remove the clutter from your home!

Bag up donations, toss what needs to go, and set aside items to sell (if you have the time and energy).

A busy mom is decluttering by placing clothes into a cardboard box labeled "Donate" with a red heart. The box sits on a fluffy white carpet, and another box with clothes peeks out beside it, ready to bring joy for the holidays.

Getting the clutter out of your house ASAP will make your home feel lighter and more organized, and donating items can give a little boost of holiday cheer to families in need.

How to Start:

  • Create three piles—donate, sell, and toss. Stick to it! Don’t hold on to things you no longer need just because of sentimental value.
  • Plan donation drop-offs—schedule a day to take donations to your local charity or shelter.
  • If selling, set a deadline—if you plan to sell items, give yourself a deadline for listing them, or they’ll end up sitting in a corner adding more clutter.

Final Thoughts: Decluttering for a Stress-Free Holiday Season

Decluttering your home before the holidays might feel like one more thing to add to your list, but it’s actually a great way to set the stage for a more peaceful, enjoyable season.

With a clear, organized space, you’ll have more room (and less stress) when it comes time to decorate, entertain, and celebrate with family and friends.

A decorated Christmas tree with lights, ornaments, and a star on top is seen in a living room. The staircase nearby is adorned with pine and eucalyptus Christmas garland along with golden bells. The setting is festive, with holiday decorations filling the space.

By tackling your home in small, manageable steps, you can create an organized environment that lets you fully embrace the holiday season—without feeling like you’re buried in stuff.

So grab a box, set your timer, and get ready to enjoy the holidays clutter-free!

More Organizing Tips

Pre-Holiday Organizing

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My goal is for you and your family to absolutely LOVE the home you live in. I’ll show you how to create a home that looks good, feels good, and functions well!

As a mom, wife, and home blogger, home decor is my passion! I have seen firsthand how my home can impact my family. How our home feels, looks and functions is a critical part of our family’s wellbeing!

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