Declutter and Get Ready for The Winter Holidays in 7 Easy Steps

The winter holidays are a joyous time of year, but at the same time, they can also be a major source of stress. In addition to buying gifts, attending holiday parties, and visiting family, you may also feel the need to declutter and clean your home to make it more presentable for guests. With a little planning and some elbow grease, you can easily prepare and declutter your home for the holidays with these seven steps.  

1. Create a Holiday Decluttering and Cleaning Plan

The first step to getting organized for the winter holidays is to sit down and make a list of everything you need to do. From decorations and gifts to preparing for guests or parties, try to include everything and anything you need to get done before the holidays. That way, you will not forget anything important, and you can prioritize your tasks. You may need to divide up some tasks depending on your holiday timeline and schedule. 

Not sure where to start? Here are a few ideas you can include in your winter holiday checklist: 

• Bringing your ornaments and decorations out of storage
• Organizing and decluttering your living room, kitchen, guest room, etc. 
• Decorating both the outside and inside of your home
• Preparing and cooking holiday meals and baking cookies
• Cleaning and getting ready for guests or visitors 
• Reserving extra storage space for the holidays and new year
• Gift shopping and budgets
• Wrapping gifts and sending out holiday cards

Once you know what needs to be done, it is time to set some guidelines for yourself and your family. Will this be a low-key holiday season, or are you planning on going all out? How much are you willing to spend? What traditions are you going to keep, and which ones are you going to let go of? By creating a plan and getting clear on holiday expectations early on, you will avoid disagreements down the road. 

2. Delegate and Share Winter Holiday Preparations

One of the best ways to take some of the pressure off yourself is to delegate tasks to others. Ask your partner or spouse to help with the gift wrapping, delegate cookie duty to the kids, or rope a friend into helping you with holiday travel plans. The more people pitch in, the easier it will be for everyone involved. 

3. Set a Timer and Start with Easy Decluttering and Cleaning

Once you have identified the areas that need work and recruited some help, put some music on, and then set a timer for 15 minutes and get to work! The key is to focus on one area at a time and not try to do too much at once. You can always come back later and tackle another area if you have time. Do not try to take on the biggest projects right away. Instead, start with the small stuff—like getting out holiday dishes and sweaters or locating your holiday decorations—to get yourself warmed up. Once you have knocked out a few smaller items, you will be ready to tackle bigger cleaning and decluttering tasks.

4. Remember to Declutter Hidden Areas and Hotspots

It is easy to forget about areas that are out of sight, but do not neglect or forget these places! Take some time to go through and organize your closets, cupboards, and drawers in each room or space in your house. You might be surprised at how much better your home will look and feel when these hidden places are tidy and organized. 

Another important part of this step is to spend some time focusing on any clutter hotspots in your house. Every home has those problem areas where clutter seems to accumulate no matter how often you tidy up. Maybe it is a catch-all drawer in your kitchen or a pile of shoes by the door. Whatever it is, identify those trouble spots and set aside some time to declutter and clean them. This will make a big difference in the overall look and feel of your home.

5. Winter Holiday Cleaning and Preparations 

In addition to decluttering, it is also essential to deep clean your home before the holidays and especially before your guests arrive. This means cleaning all those hard-to-reach places that usually get ignored, like under the bed or behind the couch. A deep clean will make your home sparkle and smell fresh—creating a warm and inviting atmosphere for the holidays.

6. Put Everything Back Together Again for the Holidays 

Once you have finished decluttering and cleaning, it is time to put everything back together again. Put away all those items that were cluttering up your space, and put out any holiday lights or decorations that you want to display. This is also a good time to add some final touches like fresh flowers or scented candles. You can use anything that will make your home feel warm and cozy this holiday season.

7. Find the Best Winter Holiday Storage Solutions 

If your home always feels crowded during the holidays, it might be time to get creative with your storage space. Utilize vertical storage solutions like wall-mounted racks or hanging organizers to free up floor space. Remember to utilize spaces like attics, basements, and closets—they can be great places to store empty boxes and holiday wrapping paper. 

Another great way to keep your home clutter-free this holiday season is to invest in a portable storage solution. This will help you keep your belongings organized and out of sight when guests are over. In addition, if you want to keep your home decluttered, you can use a Go Mini’s portable storage container to keep your decorations and seasonal things safe after the holidays. This is a great way to get ahead with any New Year decluttering and storage goals you have planned. We have several sizes of affordable storage units available and ready to be delivered to your home this winter. Visit our Go Mini’s website to reserve a container and find out more about our portable storage solutions in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).