The first weekend of December, I always notice the same thing. Fairy lights glowing in the window, candles burning on the coffee table and the air feels colder outside. It’s truly magical. But inside, bags, coats, toys and post creep over every surface.
This year, I decided to do things differently. Why wait until the holidays to sort everything out? Instead, a pre holiday decluttering would be the best gift I could give myself, that way I could truly enjoy the holidays in peace.
Clutter tends to induce stress, anxiety and disrupted sleep, especially during the holidays. But over the years decluttering is no longer a cosmetic job for me, it has become a part of my wellbeing routine and can feel the same way for you.
Why Early December Feels Like My Reset Point
Early December sits between two moods: the slow, reflective end of the year and the noisy, glittering run up to Christmas. An early head start just helps me lighten the load.
There are practical reasons for it though. Guests often pass through our hallway, living room and bathroom. Late December brings coats on hooks, bags on the floor, shoes near the door, extra towels on radiators. A little work now means those spaces feel welcoming instead of stressful when people arrive.
Then there is the constant inflow of gifts. A UK poll of 1,000 parents found about two thirds say their children have piles of unopened toys from past Christmases and birthdays, with many planning a clear out before new presents arrive. That gave me the nudge to treat December as the moment we pass on toys, books and games before anything new enters the house.
On top of that, there is the emotional load. As parents we feel the pressure to create a perfect Christmas and many struggle with the cost and workload. For me, decluttering early December has become a quiet protest against that pressure. I cannot control every expectation, but I can choose calmer rooms.
So instead of one huge clear out in January, I follow a simple pre holiday checklist through December.
My Real Life Pre-Holiday Decluttering Checklist
This tried and tested routine works around work life, family life and low energy evenings. Start with:
One Small Space Each Day
On weekdays I pick a tiny area: one drawer, one shelf, one side table, one basket.
I set a timer for ten minutes and start putting anything that belongs somewhere else to its home. Anything broken goes to the bin. Anything useful but unused moves towards the donation box near the door.
Entrance Reset
The hallway is the first thing anyone sees. It affects the way I feel when I step through the door after a long day.
Coats that no longer fit move to a bag for donation. Shoes without partners leave. Post either gets dealt with or recycled that same evening. A clear hallway changes the way the whole evening feels.
Living Room Surfaces
Next, I look at the places my eyes land at first while resting. Coffee table, TV unit, side tables, shelves, the mantle are all prime locations.
The daily chaos leaves behind old magazines, random toys, old or broken decor and leaves little space for a few winter touches. Once it’s cleared the room feels calmer and the decorations breathe.
Winter Wardrobe Edit
Clothing tends to be on everyone’s clutter list. Even in my bedroom, drawers stick, hangers tangle and jumpers hide at the back.
I start by pulling in winter pieces to the front and ask a simple question: did I wear this last winter? If the answer is no, the item moves to sell, donate or recycle.
Kids Toys Before New Gifts
Toys take up the most mental and physical space and tend to need a lot of time to sort out. I generally involve the kids. We sit on the floor together and talk about donating. My kids choose toys and books to pass on. I add a few more from the back of the cupboards.
We pack everything into a box and plan a trip to a local charity shop. The point is not perfection. The point is a less overwhelming Christmas morning and a small act of generosity.
Kitchen Surfaces
The kitchen becomes very messy during December. Baking, snacks, drinks, leftovers and guests all start at the kitchen.
Simple way to start: anything expired leaves the cupboard, donate boxes you don’t reach for, clear up worktop spaces for trays and chopping boards, plates back in places.
Bathrooms and Guest Corners
I start with stripping towels, wipe surfaces, and remove old products from sink areas.
Spare toiletries move into a small basket with a fresh hand towel, ready for overnight guests.
A Standing Donation Box
Throughout December, one box sits near the front door. Anything that no longer serves a purpose goes straight in. Clothes, books, décor, kitchenware.
When the box fills, we carry everything to a local charity shop. That trip helps my brain link decluttering with community support rather than guilt.
Large Objects
Old furniture, broken garden toys, building leftovers, mystery boxes in the shed, all of those drain attention.
For the larger or long-ignored items I finally decided to let go of, I relied on skiphire company ProSkips to help clear the space.
Letting go of things helps lift both the physical and emotional weight. The shed becomes usable again. The spare corner in the garden feels less like a dumping ground and more like part of the home.
The Calm That Follows
Pre holiday decluttering used to mean one punishing weekend. Now I treat the work as a series of short sessions. When this checklist has run for a few weeks, the house feels different. Floors reappear, surfaces can breathe and moving between rooms feels lighter.
If your home feels busy already, you do not need a full overhaul. Pick one drawer, one shelf, one toy basket and start there. Sometimes I give myself a one hour “power session”. Half an hour sorting, twenty minutes tidying, ten minutes putting things away. This system helps me keep my sanity.
Small, steady clearing before the holidays supports mental wellbeing far more than an overnight transformation. I notice that in my own small way. Fewer visual demands means fewer reminders of undone tasks and more mental space for conversation and rest. That way you can truly give yourself room to breathe so the season feels more like your own.
For more practical tips on creating a calm, organised home this festive season, explore Future Forums and start your wellbeing journey today.
