Preparing for the Holidays: The Ultimate Guide to Organizing and Decluttering
The holidays are just around the corner, and as magical as they can be, they also bring a fair share of stress—especially when our homes (and schedules) feel out of control. The holiday season should be about celebrating, not scrambling. With a bit of planning, decluttering, and organizing, you can create a welcoming space that’s ready for entertaining, gift-wrapping, and family gatherings.
Let's dive into some tips to organize your space—and how seeking the help of a professional organizer can make it even easier!
1. Declutter Before You Decorate
Why Declutter Now? Decorations, gifts, and seasonal activities all bring a wave of new items into our homes. By decluttering before the holidays, you clear out the old to make space for the new, which reduces the likelihood of feeling overwhelmed by “stuff.”
Start Small: Tackle one room at a time, focusing on key areas like the living room, guest rooms, and kitchen. Begin with the most cluttered areas and work your way through.
Consider Hiring a Professional Organizer: A professional organizer can be a game-changer, offering expertise in not just clearing clutter, but also in arranging your space so it’s functional, beautiful, and ready for holiday gatherings. They know the best methods to ensure each room is optimized, from storage solutions to maximizing space.
2. Organize Your Gift-Wrapping Station
Set Up a Gift Wrapping Area: Instead of hunting for tape, scissors, and wrapping paper, designate a gift-wrapping station. Use a portable cart or drawer organizer to store everything you need, and keep it in an easily accessible spot.
Save Money on Supplies: By organizing your wrapping supplies, you can avoid the last-minute rush to buy duplicates of what you already own but can’t find.
Declutter and Donate: Donate old gift bags and wrapping supplies that you don’t use. This creates more space and adds to your sense of holiday cheer by contributing to others. If this sounds overwhelming, a professional organizer can help streamline the process and even make recommendations on storage solutions to suit your space.
3. Streamline the Kitchen for Holiday Cooking
Clear Out Pantry and Fridge Clutter: Go through your pantry and fridge to discard expired items and to organize the rest. Not only does this free up space for holiday goodies, but it also saves money by helping you avoid buying ingredients you already have.
Create a Holiday “Zone”: Designate a specific area for holiday ingredients, recipes, and cooking tools you’ll need. When everything is within reach, cooking and baking become more enjoyable and less stressful.
Professional Help Can Maximize Efficiency: Professional organizers are skilled at reconfiguring kitchens to create more efficient flow. They can help you establish a kitchen setup that works better for everyday use and special occasions.
4. Guest Room Makeover
Clear Out Unnecessary Items: A guest room often becomes a catch-all space throughout the year. Use the holidays as an opportunity to remove any items that don’t belong and make it a cozy, welcoming area for visitors.
Add Personal Touches: Small additions like fresh towels, toiletries, and a cozy blanket can make a world of difference. Organize these items in a basket or small shelf for easy access.
Professional Organizers Offer Quick Transformations: If you’re pressed for time or simply don’t know where to start, a professional organizer can work with you to quickly transform the guest room into a functional, inviting space. They bring ideas to make the room both practical and stylish, all within your timeline.
5. Holiday Décor Storage and Decluttering
Evaluate Your Decorations: Before you bring out holiday decorations, go through your collection and decide if there are items you no longer use. This saves you storage space, and it also makes decorating faster and less overwhelming.
Label and Store Smartly: Use labeled bins or containers for different categories like lights, ornaments, and outdoor décor. This makes it easier to find and store decorations after the season ends, saving you time and hassle next year.
Consider Assistance with Storage Solutions: For those who struggle with managing seasonal items, a professional organizer can offer advice on the best storage solutions, from bins to racks, and help you create a system that minimizes chaos each year.
6. Plan Your Holiday Shopping with an Organized List
Create a Master List: List everyone you’re buying gifts for and ideas for each person. This saves you from last-minute, impulse purchases, helping you stay on budget.
Declutter Old Gifts: As you bring in new items, consider donating or repurposing items you no longer need. This helps keep the clutter in check.
Save Time and Money by Hiring an Organizer for Planning Assistance: A professional organizer can help you create and manage your holiday shopping list, offering tips on efficient holiday planning and even digital tools that make tracking and budgeting easier.
7. Post-Holiday Clean-Up Tips
Have a Decluttering Routine: After the holidays, make time to declutter any gifts, decorations, and extra items that have accumulated. Sort what to keep, donate, or repurpose.
Store Thoughtfully: Don’t just throw everything in a closet. Use storage boxes or organizers to store holiday items by category, making next year’s setup much easier.
Reach Out to a Professional for a Fresh Start: Starting the New Year with an organized space helps set a positive tone for the months ahead. A professional organizer can assist in restoring order, making the transition into the New Year stress-free and empowering.
Why an Organized Home Saves You Money
By decluttering and organizing, you can prevent unnecessary purchases, eliminate storage fees, and reduce the stress of “holiday clutter.” When you know what you have, where it’s stored, and what you truly need, you avoid spending on duplicates or last-minute purchases that often come with holiday markups.
Professional organizers offer solutions to maximize the functionality of every space, saving you money, time, and energy that you can invest in the joy of the season.
Are you ready to bring calm and order to your home this holiday season? If so, don’t hesitate to reach out! Reset and Restore Organizing can work with you to create a space that feels welcoming, functional, and festive. Whether it’s decluttering, creating storage solutions, or transforming your guest room, a little extra help can go a long way in making this holiday season one of your best yet!