Christmas has a funny way of adding things to our homes.
There are gifts, toys, decorations, food, wrapping paper, visitors and all those little extras that seem to appear throughout December. None of this is necessarily a problem, but when your home already feels full, Christmas can quickly tip it into overwhelm.
That’s why November is one of our favourite times for a gentle declutter.
Not because everything needs to be spotless before Christmas, but because making a little space now can make December feel considerably easier.
Start with the kids’ toys
If you have children, Christmas often means new toys are coming.
Rather than waiting until January when everything is competing for space, spend some time beforehand looking at what they already have.
Start with the easy decisions: broken toys, incomplete sets, things they’ve clearly outgrown and toys they simply never choose anymore.
You don’t need to force children to let go of treasured belongings. Giving them some control over the process, can make decluttering much easier.
Check wardrobes
Children grow quickly and adults often have clothing hanging around that hasn’t been worn for years.
Remove anything that no longer fits, is damaged beyond repair or simply isn’t being worn.
Creating even a small amount of breathing room, makes putting new clothing away after Christmas much simpler.
Make room in the pantry
Christmas food has to go somewhere.
Check expiry dates, combine duplicates where appropriate and use up ingredients that have been sitting untouched.
Pay particular attention to bulky entertaining items and those half-used packets hiding at the back.
Clear the gift cupboard
If you have a cupboard or drawer where gifts are stored throughout the year, now is the time to investigate it.
You may discover presents you forgot you bought, unused gift bags or wrapping paper you can use before buying more.
Revisit your Christmas decorations
Before adding another box of decorations this year, take notice of what you actually use.
If certain decorations stay in the tub year after year, ask yourself why you’re storing them.
Sentimental items are different, of course. Christmas decorations often hold beautiful memories and there is no need to declutter simply for the sake of it. The aim is to keep what is meaningful and useful, rather than automatically storing everything forever.
Look at your entertaining spaces
Dining tables, spare rooms and outdoor areas often become holding zones during the year.
If these spaces will be used over Christmas, start clearing them gradually rather than tackling everything the day before guests arrive.
Make space without making Christmas stressful
Your pre-Christmas declutter doesn’t need to become another enormous task on your list.
Choose one small area each week in the lead-up to December. One toy box. One wardrobe. One pantry shelf.
Christmas brings plenty into our homes, but a little thoughtful editing beforehand, creates room for those things without leaving you feeling surrounded by stuff.
And perhaps most importantly, it gives you more space for what Christmas is really supposed to be about – enjoying time with the people you love.