Our house has many wonderful features — an open kitchen, a spacious family room — but storage isn’t one of them.
We don’t have a linen closet or a pantry, and our closets are tiny. Cabinets are few and small. Because of that limited storage, I find myself constantly decluttering the house to keep things manageable.
This time of year I ramp up decluttering for two main reasons. First, decorating for Christmas adds items to nearly every surface and increases visual clutter. Second — and more importantly — we’re about to receive Christmas presents, and those new items need space.
Between Thanksgiving and Christmas I do a deeper declutter to make room for gifts from Santa, family, and us. When kids already have too much unused stuff, new presents get buried and it’s harder to enjoy them. A growing gift pile with nowhere to go quickly becomes a mess.
If you want to avoid that situation, try a 30-day declutter challenge. This printable calendar breaks the process into small, manageable tasks so you can fit decluttering into a busy holiday schedule. You can double up days or skip some — adapt it to your needs — but a little effort now will pay off after the holidays.
With about a month until Christmas Eve, it’s an ideal time to start. The printable makes the effort less overwhelming since it breaks the home into bite-sized decluttering tasks you can finish in short sessions.
What do you need to declutter your house?
Having a few basic supplies makes the process smoother. Here’s what I prepare before I start:
Empty boxes — Gather a few sizes. Smaller boxes are better for books and fragile items. Hold on to boxes from recent deliveries; holiday shopping often provides plenty.
Garbage bags — Use them for trash and for certain donations like clothing. Label donation bags if needed so they don’t get accidentally thrown out.
Laundry baskets — These are handy for several purposes. Use them to collect items you want to relocate without interrupting your declutter session. Assigning each family member a basket can let them put away their own belongings afterward. Baskets also work well for sorting items or collecting donations as you move through the house.
One thing I don’t do before decluttering: buy new storage containers. You need to remove and assess excess first, so you know what storage will actually be useful. Clearing things out may free up containers you already own. Organize first, then buy storage solutions if necessary.
What do you do with donations?
Donation center availability can change. Before you plan a drop-off, check the organization’s website or call to confirm they’re accepting items. If your usual donation spot is closed, search for alternative local options.
A word of warning about garage sales
Garage sales can be helpful, but they sometimes just move clutter from the house to the garage while you wait for a sale date. Consider whether you’ll realistically host a sale soon, or whether donating or recycling would be a better immediate solution.
Questions to Ask Yourself When Decluttering
When you hesitate about an item, ask these questions to help decide whether to keep it, donate it, or toss it.
Do you use this item regularly?
If it’s a daily or frequent tool, keep it — unless it’s broken or worn out. In that case, discard it and replace it when needed.
Do you love this item?
If an object sparks joy or has real sentimental value, hold on to it. Meaningful pieces that enhance your life deserve a place.
Are you keeping it because you spent money on it?
Money already spent is gone. Don’t let past purchases dictate what you keep. If an item doesn’t serve you, letting it go is fine.
Are you keeping it because it was a gift?
Gifts with sentimental value are different, but you don’t need to keep items out of obligation. Most givers would prefer you use and enjoy what you keep.
Do you still need the item?
Sometimes supplies for projects or games remain unused. If you genuinely plan to use them, set a calendar reminder and follow through. If not, donate or discard them to free up space.
Could a photo suffice?
For bulky or sentimental items you don’t need physically, a photograph preserves the memory without taking up space. This approach helps especially with large baby gear or keepsakes.
Is the item occupying space you could use better?
If something is taking up valuable room with no clear purpose, let it go and repurpose the space for something useful.
Now that you’re equipped and motivated, download the free printable 30 Day Declutter Challenge calendar and get started. You can use it before the holidays, in January to start the new year fresh, or revisit it whenever your home needs a reset.
