As Christmas approaches, now is the time to start getting organised for the festive season. Many of us look forward to festive decorations, family gatherings, and gift exchanges. However, the holiday season can quickly become stressful if you leave the organising and decluttering til the last minute. That’s why we recommend completing a decluttering session at the beginning of December.
Decluttering your entire home in this short space of time can be difficult. That’s why we’ve made a list of the five most important areas to declutter in the days leading up to Christmas.
Kitchen Pantry
The kitchen is a hub of activity during the holidays and it’s very common to go a bit overboard when it comes to Christmas groceries. Whether you’re preparing treats or hosting dinner parties, an organised pantry can make it easier to locate ingredients when cooking. Start by discarding expired items, and take inventory of what you already have to avoid overbuying. Make space for seasonal foods like baking supplies and snacks.
Learn More: 10 Kitchen Organisation Ideas
Fridge and Freezer
Just like the kitchen pantry, make sure you clear out the fridge and freezer so there’s enough room for Christmas dishes and leftovers. Many fridges are already overfilled, so trying to stuff them with Christmas dinner ingredients is nearly impossible. You'll need to leave space to house your roasts, wine bottles and more.
For the freezer, identify items that can be used up before the holidays to free up space for pre-prepared meals, frozen desserts, or extra ice. An organised fridge and freezer not only help with meal prep but also ensure you’re ready to handle the influx of holiday food without the chaos.
Guest Bedroom
If you’re expecting overnight guests decluttering the guest bedroom or spare room is a must. Guest rooms are often used for storage when not in use, so these items need to be moved. Start by removing items that don’t belong there and finding the right place for them. Make room in wardrobes and drawers so guests have a place to put their clothes. A well-prepared guest room makes everyone feel at home during the holiday season.
Learn More: How to Organise Your Home for Holiday Guests
Living Room
The living room is often the heart of holiday activities, making it a top priority for decluttering. So, you'll need to make room for opening gifts. Begin by clearing surfaces like coffee tables and bookshelves. Create space for holiday decorations by temporarily packing away some everyday items.
Christmas Decorations and Gift Wrapping
When you eventually pull out all of your Christmas decorations, take a moment to sort through them before decorating your home. Carefully consider each item, and ask yourself if you still like it. Any unwanted decorations can be donated or discarded.
We’re all guilty of saving the last snippet of the wrapping paper roll thinking it would be useful for a small gift. Some snippets might be useful, but it’s a good idea to look over the remaining gifts you have to wrap and try to use up the scraps on those. Try also to sort through and use all your old gift bags and ribbons so you don’t have to buy more.
Whether decluttering the spare room for visitors or organising the kitchen & pantry ready for entertaining we can help take some of the stress away. Get in touch with Well Organised today to secure an in-home organising session.