15 Things To Declutter Before Christmas

Christmas often means more things coming into our homes, from presents and decorations to extra food and supplies. That’s why decluttering before Christmas is a great way to make a little breathing room before the festivities begin.

These 15 things to declutter before Christmas will help you decide what you no longer need, use or want, so you can make space for the things that matter.

And don’t worry, you don’t need to become a minimalist or declutter your entire home. Even clearing out a few things can make a difference.

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1. Broken or Unused Christmas Decorations

Before you start decorating your home for Christmas, take a few minutes to look through the decorations you already own.

It’s easy to collect Christmas decorations over the years without getting rid of the ones you no longer use.

Look for broken ornaments, damaged decorations, and anything that no longer fits how you decorate your home.

You don’t have to get rid of sentimental decorations just because they’re old. Keep the ones that bring back happy memories, even if you don’t put them up every year.

Donate decorations that are still in good condition but that you no longer want, and dispose of broken items safely. Need more help storing Christmas decorations?

2. Old Christmas Lights That No Longer Work

Before you start putting up your Christmas lights, take a few minutes to check the ones you already have.

We often put broken Christmas lights back into storage, thinking we’ll fix them before next Christmas, only to discover they’re still broken when we get them out again.

Check your lights for damaged wires, broken bulbs, and missing parts. If they’re damaged or unsafe, don’t use them. Storing Christmas lights without tangles is possible.

If you’re keeping your Christmas lights, storing them properly now can save you from untangling a frustrating mess next year.

Wrap-It Storage has a useful guide on three ways to keep Christmas lights tangle-free.

They recommend three different storage options:

• Super-Stretch Storage Straps: For keeping bundles of lights together.
• Quick-Straps: For quickly securing Christmas light cords.
• Cinch-Straps: Adjustable straps that can hold different-sized bundles.

You don’t need all three. Just choose the option that works best for the lights you already own. If you’re keeping your Christmas lights, storing them properly now can save you from untangling a frustrating mess next year.

Wrap-It Storage has a useful guide on three ways to keep Christmas lights tangle-free.

They recommend three different storage options:

• Super-Stretch Storage Straps: For keeping bundles of lights together.
• Quick-Straps: For quickly securing Christmas light cords.
• Cinch-Straps: Adjustable straps that can hold different-sized bundles.

You don’t need all three. Just choose the option that works best for the lights you already own.

If you have lights that still work but you no longer use, consider donating them so someone else can enjoy them.

Recycle broken Christmas lights through an appropriate electrical recycling collection rather than putting them in your regular trash.

3. Christmas Wrapping Paper and Gift Bags

Before buying more Christmas wrapping paper, gift bags, and ribbons, take a look at what you already have.

It’s surprising how quickly these supplies build up, especially when we save gift bags and leftover wrapping paper from previous Christmases.

Go through your collection and get rid of torn gift bags, scraps of wrapping paper that are too small to use, and damaged ribbons or bows.

Keep anything that’s still in good condition and that you know you’ll use when wrapping presents this year. How do you store leftover Christmas wrapping supplies?

Organize everything together so you can easily see what you have before heading to the shops. You might discover you don’t need to buy any more wrapping supplies this Christmas!

Once you’ve sorted through your wrapping paper and gift bags, check whether you actually need to buy anything new this Christmas.

If you do need some more, I love the look of this festive green kraft wrapping paper from Etsy. It’s a lovely option for wrapping Christmas presents without going overboard buying lots of different designs.

4. Toys Children No Longer Play With

Decluttering toys before Christmas is a great way to make space for the new presents that will soon be arriving, without having to completely reorganize your children’s bedrooms or play areas.

You don’t need to get rid of everything or make room for every possible new present. Just focus on toys that are broken, have missing pieces, or that your children have outgrown.

Involve your children in the process, especially when deciding which toys they no longer play with. Let your children help choose a few toys they’ve outgrown or no longer enjoy playing with. There’s no need to make this a big project, even finding two or three toys to pass on is a good start.

Toys that are clean, complete, and in good condition could be donated or sold, giving someone else the chance to enjoy them. Making space for children’s toys is a great way to prevent a cluttered mess.

Even clearing out a small number of unused toys can make a difference, leaving more space for the Christmas presents that will soon be arriving.

Once you’ve sorted through the toys your children no longer play with, think about where the remaining toys will live.

A simple toy basket can make tidying up easier, especially for younger children. I love this personalized corduroy toy basket from Etsy. It’s a lovely way to keep favorite toys together while giving everything a place to go at the end of the day.

5. Outgrown Children’s Clothes

Before Christmas arrives, take a little time to go through your children’s clothes and see what still fits.

Children grow so quickly, and it’s easy to end up with drawers and wardrobes full of clothes they’ve already outgrown.

Look for clothes that are too small, worn out, or no longer needed. Don’t forget to check winter coats, pajamas, and Christmas outfits from previous years.

Clothes that are still in good condition can be donated, passed on to another family, or sold to help towards the cost of Christmas.

You don’t have to empty every drawer or completely reorganize their wardrobes. Just removing the clothes they can no longer wear will make it easier to see what they have and what they might actually need this Christmas.

6. Christmas Outfits You No Longer Wear

Christmas parties, family gatherings, and festive events often mean digging out clothes we haven’t worn since last December.

Before buying something new, take a look at the Christmas outfits, party clothes, and accessories you already own.

Are there dresses, sweaters, or festive outfits that no longer fit, that you don’t feel comfortable wearing, or that you simply don’t like anymore?

If you know you won’t wear them again, consider donating or selling them while there’s still time for someone else to enjoy them this Christmas.

Keep the outfits you love and feel comfortable in. You might even rediscover something you’d forgotten about and save yourself the expense of buying a new Christmas outfit.

7. Unused Christmas Craft Supplies

Christmas crafts can be so much fun, but it’s easy to collect supplies for projects we never actually get around to making.

Before buying more craft supplies this Christmas, take a look at what you already have tucked away in cupboards, drawers, and storage boxes.

Check for dried-out glue, damaged materials, and unfinished Christmas projects that you know you’re unlikely to complete.

Keep the supplies for the Christmas crafts you’d genuinely like to make this year. And if you don’t get around to crafting, that’s perfectly fine too!

If you have children, this is also a great opportunity to put together a small box of Christmas craft supplies they can use during the holidays.

You might discover you already have everything you need for a few festive projects without spending any more money!

8. Expired and Unwanted Pantry Food

Before you start buying extra food for Christmas, take a little time to go through your pantry and see what’s already there.

Christmas often means buying more ingredients, snacks, and treats than usual, so making some space beforehand can make a big difference.

Check expiration dates, looking carefully at the difference between use-by dates, which relate to food safety, and best-before dates, which generally relate to quality.

Remove anything that’s spoiled or unsafe to eat, and look for ingredients you can use in meals over the coming weeks.

If you have unopened, in-date food that your family won’t use, consider donating it to a local food bank.

Organizing your pantry before Christmas shopping also helps prevent buying duplicates and makes it easier to see exactly what you need for your festive meals.

9. Unused Christmas Baking Supplies

Christmas baking often means getting out equipment and ingredients that we don’t use during the rest of the year.

Before you start planning your festive baking, take a look through your cupboards and drawers for cookie cutters, cake tins, decorating tools, and other baking supplies.

Are there broken cookie cutters, damaged baking trays, or decorating supplies that you haven’t used in years?

Get rid of anything that’s broken or no longer safe to use, and consider donating equipment that’s still in good condition but that you know you won’t need.

Check your Christmas baking decorations too, including sprinkles, food coloring, and icing supplies, to make sure they’re still suitable to use.

Keeping only the baking equipment and supplies you actually use will make Christmas baking easier, and you’ll have more space in your kitchen for all those festive treats.

10. Chipped or Unused Christmas Tableware

Before you start planning Christmas meals and family gatherings, take a look at the plates, serving dishes, glasses, and festive tableware you already own.

It’s easy to collect Christmas mugs, serving platters, and special occasion dishes over the years, even when we don’t use them anymore.

Check for chipped plates, cracked glasses, and damaged serving dishes that are no longer safe to use.

If you have Christmas tableware that you no longer like or need, consider donating it while there’s still time for someone else to use it during the holidays.

Think about how many people you’ll actually be feeding this Christmas and whether you have enough suitable dishes and serving pieces.

Getting rid of damaged or unwanted tableware will free up valuable cupboard space and make it easier to find what you need when preparing your Christmas meals.

11. Worn-Out Towels and Unused Bedding

If you’re expecting family or friends to stay over Christmas, now is a good time to check your spare bedding and towels.

It’s easy to accumulate old sheets, mismatched pillowcases, and towels that have seen better days.

Go through your linen closet and look for anything that’s badly worn, damaged, or that you no longer use.

Keep enough bedding and towels for your household and any guests you’re expecting, but don’t feel you need to hold on to every spare set you’ve collected over the years.

Bedding and towels that are still in good condition can be donated, while some animal shelters may welcome older towels and blankets. Check what your local organizations accept before donating.

Having your guest bedding and towels sorted before Christmas means one less thing to worry about when visitors arrive.

12. Old Christmas Cards and Gift Tags

Before buying new Christmas cards and gift tags, take a look at what you already have left over from previous years.

It’s easy to collect half-used packs of Christmas cards, loose gift tags, and envelopes that end up scattered across different drawers and cupboards.

Go through your collection and remove anything that’s damaged, no longer usable, or that you know you won’t use.

Check for cards with missing envelopes and gift tags that have already been written on.

Keep the cards and tags you like, and put them together in one place so they’re easy to find when you start preparing for Christmas.

If you have more unused Christmas cards than you’ll realistically send, consider donating the extras.

You might find you already have enough cards and gift tags for this Christmas without needing to buy any more.

13. Unwanted Christmas Home Decor

Christmas decorations aren’t just about the tree. Over the years, it’s easy to collect festive cushions, throws, table runners, wreaths, and other Christmas accessories that we no longer use.

Before decorating your home this year, take a look through your seasonal home decor and decide what you actually want to display.

Are there Christmas cushions that no longer match your style, worn-out table runners, or decorations that have stayed in storage for several years?

Keep the items you genuinely enjoy using and consider donating anything that’s still in good condition but no longer wanted. Organizing and labeling holiday storage boxes will make the holiday season easier next year.

Check seasonal textiles for stains, damage, or wear before putting them back into use.

Decluttering your Christmas home decor now means less to store when the holidays are over and makes it easier to decorate your home with the things you really love.

Once you’ve decided which Christmas wreaths you’re keeping, it’s worth storing them properly so they’re ready to use again next year.

A wreath storage bag can help protect your favorite wreaths from dust and damage while they’re packed away. This Christmas wreath storage box is a practical way to keep everything together without having to squeeze your wreath into a box where it could lose its shape.

14. Broken or Unused Household Items

Before Christmas arrives, take a look around your home for broken or unused household items that are taking up valuable space.

Think about things like damaged storage baskets, broken lamps, unused small appliances, or furniture that you no longer need.

These items often get pushed into cupboards, spare rooms, or corners because we haven’t had time to decide what to do with them.

If something is broken, decide whether it’s worth repairing. If it isn’t, look for a suitable way to recycle or dispose of it safely.

Items that are still in good condition but no longer needed could be sold or donated before Christmas.

You don’t need to go through every room in your home. Just choose one or two areas where clearing a little space would make Christmas easier for your family.

Need A Little More Help With Decluttering?

Sometimes knowing what to get rid of is the easy part. Actually finding the time and motivation to get started can be harder.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the clutter in your home, my 7-Day Decluttering Jumpstart can help you take those first steps without trying to tackle everything at once.

It’s a simple way to start making progress and create a little more breathing room in your home before Christmas.

Get the 7-Day Decluttering Jumpstart

15. Unwanted Gifts From Previous Christmases

We all receive gifts at Christmas, and sometimes they aren’t things we need, want, or will ever use.

It’s easy to feel guilty about getting rid of presents, especially when someone has spent time and money choosing them for us.

Before another Christmas arrives, take a look at any unwanted gifts you’ve kept from previous years.

Think about unused toiletries, candles, kitchen gadgets, books, or other presents that have been sitting in cupboards gathering dust.

If you know you aren’t going to use something, consider donating it, selling it, or passing it on to someone who would appreciate it.

Remember, you can be grateful that someone thought of you without having to keep every gift forever.

Clearing out unwanted gifts before Christmas creates space for the things you’ll actually use and enjoy, without adding more clutter to your home.

Make Space Before Christmas Without The Stress

Decluttering before Christmas doesn’t have to mean clearing out your entire home or spending days sorting through everything you own.

Choose a few things from this list that will make the biggest difference to your family. Maybe it’s clearing out toys before new presents arrive, sorting through Christmas decorations, or making space in the pantry for festive food.

Even small changes can help your home feel less cluttered and make Christmas preparations a little easier.

Remember, the goal isn’t to have a perfectly organized home for Christmas. It’s to make space for the things you love and spend less time worrying about the things you don’t need.

More Ideas To Help You Declutter Your Home

Decluttering before Christmas doesn’t mean you have to tackle every cupboard, drawer, and room in your home.

Focus on the areas that will make the biggest difference to your family, whether that’s creating space for presents, getting ready for guests, or making your Christmas decorations easier to manage.

If you’re looking for more ideas to help you prepare your home for the festive season, these articles will help you take the next steps.

How To Purge Your House From Clutter Before Christmas – For readers wanting a more thorough pre-Christmas declutter.

20 Things To Declutter This Winter – More seasonal decluttering ideas.

How To Stay Organized During The Holidays – Planning and managing the festive season.

Simple And Easy Christmas Cleaning Tips – Getting the home ready for Christmas.

When Should You Take Down Christmas Decorations – What to do when Christmas is over.