Holiday Home Organization: Quick Decluttering Tips Before Christmas
If your home feels a little more chaotic than usual right now, you’re not alone.
Between decorations, shopping bags, extra packages, and full calendars, December has a way of adding clutter fast. The good news? You don’t need a full home overhaul to feel more organized before Christmas.
These quick holiday home organization tips focus on the areas that make the biggest impact so you can enjoy the season without stressing over every room.
Focus on “High-Impact” Areas Only
When time is limited, organizing everything is unrealistic. Instead, focus on the spaces that affect your daily life and any holiday hosting plans.
1. Entryway: Clear the Drop Zone
Your entryway sets the tone when you walk in the door.
Quick decluttering tips:
Remove off-season shoes and coats
Limit the space to one pair of shoes per person
Use a basket or bin for hats, gloves, and scarves
Recycle junk mail immediately instead of letting it pile up
Even five minutes here can make your home feel calmer instantly.
2. Kitchen Counters: Create Breathing Room
The kitchen gets the most use during the holidays and clutter shows up fast.
Try this:
Clear everything off the counters
Only put back daily-use items (coffee maker, cutting board)
Relocate small appliances temporarily if they’re not used daily
Contain holiday baking supplies in one bin or cabinet
Clear counters make cooking and entertaining feel less overwhelming.
3. Living Room: Contain, Don’t Perfect
Your living room doesn’t need to look like a magazine spread.
Simple holiday organization ideas:
Use baskets to quickly corral toys, blankets, or games
Straighten pillows and fold throws
Clear side tables of anything that doesn’t belong
Containment is faster than organizing and works perfectly this time of year.
4. Guest Bathroom: The 10-Minute Reset
This is one of the smallest spaces with the biggest impact on guests.
Quick checklist:
Clear off the counter
Add a fresh hand towel
Refill soap and toilet paper
Wipe the sink and mirror
That’s it. No deep cleaning required.
What You Can Skip Until After Christmas
Not everything needs attention right now. Give yourself permission to wait on:
Closets and storage rooms
Paperwork and filing
Deep organizing projects
Donation drop-offs (schedule them for January)
Holiday home organization is about supporting your season, not creating perfection.
A Note from a Professional Organizer
Clutter during the holidays doesn’t mean you’re behind or doing something wrong. It means you’re living your life.
If January feels like the right time to reset your home with systems that actually work for your routine, that’s where long-term organization really happens.
For now, focus on what helps you feel calm, present, and able to enjoy the season.
Looking Ahead
If you’re ready for help creating simple systems that last beyond the holidays, I’d love to support you in the new year.
Call or text 860-463-4523