While it’s always exciting to host Christmas with your loved ones, especially in a family of casserole-loving Southerners, it can also be stressful to prepare for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and all of the festivities, cooking, and house guests (both day-of and those staying overnight) that come with it.
The best way to feel ready at your home is by getting as much done beforehand as possible—and nothing is more prep-minded that getting rid of things that only add clutter to your home. Before heading into Christmas, make sure to toss these 9 things you probably need to say goodbye to.
When To Get Started
The earlier is always the better, particularly if you are hosting overnight guests or you did not already declutter before Thanksgiving. Slowly decluttering leading up to the busy holiday is your best bet to a refreshed home when it comes time to host Christmas. Consider spending focused time on these tasks at least two weeks beforehand, and wrap up the most extensive decluttering and deep-cleaning at least a week before the holiday to ensure you have plenty of time for cooking and other hosting responsibilities.
Things To Toss Before Christmas
Worn-Out Towels and Sheets
If you are hosting overnight guests, this is the perfect time to take another look at the towels and sheets in your linen closet for signs of wear and tear that accumulate over the years. The same goes for hand towels in the kitchen and bathrooms, which are on display for everyone to see!
Junk Drawer Clutter
Junk drawers tend to get worse and worse as the year goes on, and you’d hardly want guests taking a peek, particularly if you’ve created more than one junk drawer throughout the house on accident. Get rid of those old receipts, mail, stationery, and random assortment of “stuff.” Odds are, if you haven’t need to look at it in months, or longer, it’s time to get rid of it. That also goes for bedside tables in guest rooms and any drawers in common spaces such as the living room.
Freezer Buildup
It’s time to give your freezer a thorough look-through for any mystery items, freezer-burned food, and expired dates—because you’ll be needing the extra room for pre-Christmas prep of casseroles and cookies, as well as post-Christmas leftovers. You don’t want guests struggling to stuff another thing in there, or someone accidentally using something they shouldn’t!
Closet Clutter
This particularly concerns hallway closets and coat closets, which guests might want to use for outerwear, luggage, or stashing Christmas gifts. These areas often become a haven for outdated coats you never touch and shoes that are worse for wear. Make sure to clear out and donate anything you no longer want or need, in order to make room for house guests you are hosting for the holiday.
Mail, Packages, and Cardboard
Any paper-related products that build up over time and take over counter space, creating unnecessary clutter. Just make the decision to open everything up, sort through it, and donate or throw away anything as needed. Cardboard especially takes up a lot of space, so make sure to recycle all of your Christmas packaging before the holiday begins.
Mystery Cords
The last thing a host needs is to be dealing with confusion on which cords go to which television, charger, or appliance. Go through your living room, guest bedrooms, and other living spaces to get rid of cords that serve no purpose—if you do not know now, you won’t when guests come asking! Additionally, remove any old television remotes that do not work or that you’re unsure what they go to.
Flat Pillows
For those hosting house guests, you’d hardly want your guests to have a bad night’s rest due to poor pillows. Pillows are something that we often forget to replace, but make such a difference to those who are using them, even for a brief Christmas visit.
Expired Pantry Items
With all the cooking that comes along with Christmas, start off the holiday right with a cleaned-out pantry. On top of making more room for ingredients for your favorite holiday recipes, it will also ensure you don’t plan on using certain pantry staples that are expired, such White Lily Flour, that sell out around major holidays.
Old Newspapers and Magazines
Set the mood for guests who are hanging around the living room by finally recycling, donating, or archiving your spring and summer magazines or any outdated newspapers. Instead, put your holiday-themed magazines front and center, such as our annual White Cake issue, and light a candle with all that extra side table space.
