Holiday Prep Kickoff: Simplify Your Home Before the Busy Season Begins
Start Fresh Before the Festivities Begin
The holidays are right around the corner — a season full of laughter, family dinners, and cozy nights by the fire. But before the festivities begin, there’s one task that can make everything smoother: simplifying your home.
We all know how quickly things pile up once the holidays hit. Decorations come out, gifts fill closets, and guests bring extra luggage. Getting organized now gives you space to breathe later.
This guide walks through how to declutter, organize, and store smart before the rush begins — so you can enjoy more joy and less stress this season.
Make Space for Holiday Magic
A little planning now means more room for joy, memory-making, and relaxation later. Simplifying before the holidays helps you welcome guests with confidence, decorate without stress, and move through the season with calm instead of chaos.
Step 1: Start With a Holiday Mindset
Before jumping into tasks, take a moment to define what “holiday ready” means for you.
Maybe it’s a home that feels warm and welcoming, or simply a clear kitchen counter where you can bake without chaos.
Write down three goals:
- How you want your home to feel (calm, festive, uncluttered)
- Which spaces matter most (living room, guest room, kitchen)
- What causes the most stress (storage overflow, decorations, last-minute cleaning)
Once you know what you’re aiming for, you’ll declutter with purpose instead of perfectionism.
Step 2: Tackle High-Traffic Zones First
The kitchen, entryway, and living room are the heart of the holidays — where people gather, snack, and drop off coats.
Entryway
- Clear out old shoes, umbrellas, and mail clutter.
- Add a basket for gloves and scarves.
- Keep one sturdy rug to handle snow or mud.
Kitchen
- Donate small appliances you don’t use (yes, even that extra slow cooker).
- Keep only the baking pans and utensils you’ll actually need.
- Designate one cabinet for “holiday hosting supplies.”
Living Room
- Store summer décor and swap in cozy blankets and pillows.
- Leave room around the tree or centerpiece area before it arrives.
- Add a small bin for remote controls, chargers, and candles — small things that multiply fast.
Decluttering these key zones first makes your whole house feel instantly more prepared.
Step 3: Declutter by Category, Not Room
Instead of moving room to room, simplify by item type — it’s faster and more motivating.
- Décor: Pack up anything out of season before new items come out.
- Linens: Keep two sets per bed and donate extras.
- Serving Dishes: Pull out what you’ll need for gatherings and store the rest in labeled bins.
- Toys & Games: Rotate out summer toys or duplicates to free space for gifts.
Pro tip: As you declutter, keep a donation box in your trunk. Drop it off the same day you fill it — less to think about later.
Step 4: Create a Holiday Command Center
A command center keeps chaos at bay once the season kicks in.
Include:
- A small calendar or dry-erase board for parties, concerts, and travel days.
- A bin for holiday cards and stamps.
- A folder or envelope for receipts and gift tracking.
- One drawer or box labeled “Gifts to Wrap.”
When everything has a home, you spend less time searching and more time celebrating.
Step 5: Prepare Guest Spaces Early
If you’re hosting, think comfort and convenience first.
- Freshen bedding and towels now, before the laundry backlog hits.
- Add a bedside basket with snacks, water, and travel-size toiletries.
- Leave an empty drawer or two for guests’ belongings.
- Store bulky off-season clothes in self storage to free closet space.
Even a small guest nook feels thoughtful when it’s clear and ready to use.
Step 6: Simplify Décor — Less Is More
It’s easy to go overboard with lights, garlands, and glitter. The trick is to decorate with intention.
- Choose one color palette that ties rooms together.
- Focus on a few statement pieces instead of dozens of trinkets.
- Mix natural décor — pinecones, greenery, dried oranges — for warmth and sustainability.
- Store fragile ornaments in padded bins labeled by room or tree theme.
When the season ends, everything packs away neatly and safely.
Step 7: Set Up Smart Storage Systems
The best time to plan for post-holiday cleanup is before it starts.
- Dedicate one closet or corner to hold empty bins as you go.
- Label containers by holiday (Thanksgiving, Christmas, Winter Décor).
- Store wrapping paper vertically in a garment bag or tall bin.
- Keep extension cords and hooks in a small toolbox for easy reuse.
For larger décor or items you only use once a year, a climate-controlled self storage unit keeps everything organized, protected, and out of the way.
That means more space at home and less post-holiday clutter.
Step 8: Streamline Gift Storage & Wrapping
Gift wrapping supplies multiply fast — ribbons, tags, tape, and boxes can take over every surface.
- Create a “wrapping station” in a closet or unused corner.
- Use clear plastic drawers or hanging organizers for supplies.
- Keep a small bin labeled “To Wrap” so you don’t lose track of purchases.
- At the end of the season, pack leftover supplies in a single bin labeled by category (bags, bows, tissue).
Having one designated system keeps gift prep enjoyable instead of chaotic.
Step 9: Simplify Before You Celebrate
The real benefit of early prep isn’t just a cleaner home — it’s peace of mind.
By starting now, you’ll have time to actually enjoy the lights, laughter, and gatherings instead of rushing to tidy up.
- Take ten minutes each night to reset one space.
- Keep one donation box open all season for quick edits.
- And remember: organization doesn’t have to be perfect to be powerful.
Storage Success Starts with the Right Space
Simplifying for the holidays is about making room for joy, not just clearing clutter. Whether you’re packing away décor, creating space for guests, or storing gifts, the right storage solution keeps your home calm and holiday-ready.
We’re here to help with secure, climate-controlled units sized for every home and every season.
