The holiday season brings so many wonderful things: time with family, festive decorations, thoughtful gifts, and plenty of opportunities to make memories. But let's be honest, it can also bring a whole lot of extra stuff into our homes!
Before the gifts start piling up and the holiday festivities are in full swing, November is the perfect time to take a look around your home and make a little breathing room.
The good news? You don't need to organize your entire house before the holidays. A few intentional changes in the right spaces can make a big difference in how your home looks, feels, and functions throughout the season.
Here are five areas worth tackling before the holiday rush begins.
If you have kids, you know how quickly toys, games, and stuffed animals can accumulate. With new gifts likely arriving in December, now is a great time to sort through what you already have.
Start by gathering toys and games into categories so you can see what's there. Look for broken items, missing pieces, and toys your children have outgrown or simply don't play with anymore.
Depending on their ages, consider involving your kids in the process. Encourage them to choose a few gently used toys to donate, making room for something new while helping another family.
Organizing Tip: Before purchasing additional toy storage, declutter first! You may find that your existing bins, baskets, and shelves are more than enough once everything has been sorted.
Between winter coats, holiday outfits, and new clothing that might arrive as gifts, closets can get crowded quickly this time of year.
Take a little time to go through clothing, shoes, and accessories. Pull out items that no longer fit, haven't been worn, or simply aren't needed anymore.
Don't forget about your entryway or coat closet! If you're hosting guests this holiday season, making room for their coats and belongings can make your home feel more welcoming.
Organizing Tip: Keep a donation bag or basket in your closet. As you come across items you no longer need, add them to the bag instead of putting them back on the shelf.
Holiday baking, family gatherings, and extra groceries can put even the most organized kitchen to the test.
Before stocking up on seasonal ingredients, take inventory of your pantry, refrigerator, and kitchen cabinets.
Check expiration dates, toss anything that's no longer good, and group similar items together. Take note of ingredients you already have so you don't end up buying duplicates during your next grocery run.
This is also a great time to evaluate your kitchen tools, serving dishes, and small appliances. If something hasn't been used in years, consider whether it's worth the valuable storage space it's taking up.
Organizing Tip: Create a designated area for holiday baking essentials like flour, sugar, sprinkles, cookie cutters, and decorating supplies. Keeping everything together makes baking days easier and more enjoyable.
As you pull out your holiday decorations, take a moment to evaluate what you're actually using.
Do you have boxes of decorations that haven't made it out of storage in years? Broken ornaments you've been meaning to fix? Tangled lights that no longer work?
Instead of automatically putting everything back into storage, use this year's decorating process as an opportunity to declutter.
Keep the decorations that bring you joy and fit your current style. Donate items that are still in good condition but no longer have a place in your home.
Organizing Tip: As you unpack, take photos of how you've decorated different spaces. When it's time to put everything away, store decorations by room or category and label each container. Your future self will thank you next year!
One of the biggest challenges during the holidays isn't necessarily the amount of stuff coming into our homes. It's not having a designated place to put it all.
Take a look at the storage areas you use most often, whether that's a hall closet, basement shelving, mudroom, or storage room.
Are there items taking up space that you no longer need? Are seasonal items mixed in with everyday essentials? Could a few simple changes make things easier to access?
Focus on creating functional systems that work for your family rather than trying to make every space look picture-perfect.
Organizing Tip: Avoid buying storage containers before you've sorted and measured your space. The right organizing products should fit your belongings and your home, not the other way around.
A Little Less Clutter, A Lot More Joy
The holidays are meant to be enjoyed, not spent stressing over overflowing closets, crowded countertops, and endless piles of stuff.
By taking a little time to declutter now, you're creating more than just physical space. You're making room for easier routines, less stress, and more time to focus on what matters most.
And remember, getting organized doesn't have to happen all at once. Start with one drawer, one shelf, or one small area. Progress is progress!
Need Help Getting Organized Before the Holidays?
At Simplicity Organization, we believe your home should work for you, not the other way around.
Whether you're looking to refresh your pantry, create functional storage solutions, or finally tackle that space that's been on your to-do list, we're here to help.
Let's create a home that feels a little lighter this holiday season and beyond.
