The Ultimate Post-Holiday Decluttering Checklist: Reclaim Your Home After the Festivities
The holidays are magical — but the cleanup afterward? Not so much. This post-holiday decluttering checklist helps you tackle the after-Christmas mess with simple, stress-free steps. From organizing decorations and wrapping paper to sorting seasonal items, you’ll create a fresh, clean start that makes your home feel calm and reset for the new year.
Homemaker Highlights
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Why You Need A Post-holiday decluttering checklist
Can we be honest for a second? That magical glow of Christmas morning has faded, the last guest has waved goodbye, and now you’re standing in your living room surrounded by crumpled tissue paper, mysterious boxes, and approximately 47 gift bags you swear you’ll reuse next year. I get it — I’m literally typing this while staring at a tangled mess of lights that somehow came off the tree in a much bigger mess than they went on.
The post-holiday cleanup can feel overwhelming, but here’s the thing: it doesn’t have to be a marathon decluttering session that leaves you exhausted.
With a simple checklist approach, you can transform your space from holiday chaos to fresh-start calm in manageable chunks that fit into your real, busy life.
Why Post-Holiday Decluttering Actually Matters
After weeks of festive decorations, extra guests, and all those “just for the holidays” items, our homes are carrying extra stuff that served its purpose but now needs a proper home—or a proper goodbye. This seasonal reset isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about creating breathing room for the year ahead.
Last January, I skipped the post-holiday declutter because I was “too tired,” and you know what? I found Easter eggs behind Christmas decorations in March. I’m still finding mixed up holiday and seasonal items!
That experience taught me that tackling post-holiday clutter quickly actually saves time and stress in the long run.
💡 PRO TIP: Set a timer for 15 minutes and tackle one small zone at a time. You’d be amazed how much you can accomplish when you’re not trying to do everything at once! This bite-sized approach keeps the task from feeling overwhelming and gives you quick wins that motivate you to keep going.
Your Room-by-Room Post-Holiday Decluttering Checklist
Living Room & Main Spaces
Start where the holiday magic happened—and where most of the mess probably lives right now.
Decorations
- Remove all Christmas decorations systematically (I go top to bottom: ceiling, walls, surfaces, floor)
- Sort ornaments into keep, donate, and toss—trash the ones that are ready to go, put the donate items in your donation bin, and pack the ones you’re keeping
- Label storage boxes clearly—”Fragile Ornaments” beats “Christmas Stuff Box 3” every time
Wrapping Paper & Gift Supplies
- Gather ALL the wrapping paper, tissue paper, and gift bags from every corner
- Store reusable items together
- Recycle or toss damaged or unusable wrapping materials
- Create a gift-wrapping station for next year while you’re thinking about it
The gift bag situation in my house was out of control until I started using a simple rule: if it’s creased beyond recognition or missing handles, then it’s time for it to go. Those perfectly good bags get folded flat and stored in a designated bin with tissue paper.
Kitchen & Dining Area
The kitchen bears the brunt of holiday entertaining, and it shows.
Seasonal Items
- Pack away holiday-themed dishes, napkins, and tablecloths
- Assess serving platters—keep only what you actually use
- Clear out expired holiday treats and ingredients
- Organize your regular dishes back to their prime real estate spots
Pantry Reset
- Check expiration dates on holiday baking supplies
- Consolidate opened packages (hello, three half-empty bags of chocolate chips)
- Relocate specialty items you won’t use until next season
💡 PRO TIP: This is the PERFECT time to wipe down your pantry shelves while they’re partially empty. I keep a container of cleaning wipes handy during decluttering sessions for exactly these opportunities. You’re already removing items, so cleaning takes just seconds longer!
Bedrooms & Guest Spaces
If you hosted overnight guests, these spaces need some love too.
Guest Room Reset
- Wash all linens and store them fresh
- Remove any temporary furniture or items borrowed from other rooms
- Clear surfaces of miscellaneous holiday items
- Return the room to its regular function (home office, craft room, actual guest room)
Kids’ Rooms
- This is where the new toy influx lives! Work with your children to choose toys to donate.
- Create homes for new items before putting them away
- Rotate toys seasonally to prevent overwhelm
- Update storage solutions if the old systems aren’t working
I learned this the hard way: don’t declutter your kids’ rooms without them present (unless they’re really little). The time I threw away the stuffed cat missing its nose—I’m still being reminded of that mistake!
💡 PRO TIP: Use the “one in, one out” rule for new toys. For every new item that arrived during the holidays, one old item finds a new home. This keeps the toy population manageable and teaches kids thoughtful consumption.
Watch the video below to learn simple toy organization and rotation tips that keep clutter under control and make playtime feel fresh again.
Entryway & Coat Closet
This high-traffic area accumulates stuff faster than anywhere else during the holidays.
Quick Wins
- Remove holiday wreaths and door decorations
- Sort through winter gear—donate what doesn’t fit
- Clear out shopping bags and packages
- Organize winter accessories
Storage Solutions
- Use over-door organizers for scarves, hats, and gloves
- Install hooks at kid-height for their items
- Keep a donation bag or box permanently in the closet for easy decluttering year-round
Creating Your Post-Holiday Storage System
Now that you’ve sorted everything, let’s talk smart storage. The key is creating a system that makes sense when you’re pulling things out again next November—not one that looks Pinterest-perfect but confuses you 11 months from now.
Decoration Storage
- Invest in clear bins so you can see contents at a glance
- Store the most fragile items on higher shelves
- Keep frequently-used items (like Advent calendars or first-week decorations) easily accessible
- Use original boxes for special ornaments—they’re designed to protect them!
I used to buy matching opaque storage bins because they looked nicer. Then I’d spend an hour every December opening every single bin to find the nativity set. Clear bins changed my life! Yes, they’re less attractive, but they’re in the garage or attic anyway, and the time savings are worth it.
Wrapping Supplies
According to the EPA’s guidelines on reducing holiday waste, Americans generate about 25% more trash between Thanksgiving and New Year’s. Organizing your reusable supplies helps combat this next year!
- Vertical storage (hanging organizers or tall bins) works best for wrapping paper
- Use small containers for ribbon, tape, and scissors
- Keep a “gift bag gallery” with bags sorted by size
- Store tissue paper flat to prevent wrinkles
The Year-Round Donation Station: Set up a permanent donation box in a convenient location—closet, laundry room, or garage. Throughout the year, as you encounter items you no longer need, they go directly in the box. When it’s full, schedule a donation drop-off. This prevents the once-a-year decluttering marathon!
Making It Happen: Your Action Plan
Feeling overwhelmed? Let’s break this down into a realistic timeline.
One-Week Plan
- Day 1-2: Remove and pack decorations
- Day 3-4: Kitchen and pantry reset
- Day 5: Bedroom and guest space organization
- Day 6: Entryway and miscellaneous areas
- Day 7: Finalize storage and make donation run
Weekend Warrior Plan
- Saturday: All decoration removal and packing
- Sunday Morning: Kitchen and common areas
- Sunday Afternoon: Bedrooms and final touches
There’s no “right” timeline—only what works for your family’s schedule and energy levels. Some years I knock it all out in a weekend; other years (like when I had a newborn), it took me three weeks of 20-minute sessions. Both approaches got me to the same destination: a decluttered, fresh home.
The Shopping List: Tools for Success
You don’t need fancy organizing products, but a few basics make the job easier:
- Clear storage bins (3-4 medium to large)
- Labels and permanent marker
- Packing tape
- Trash bags (you’ll need more than you think!)
- Cleaning supplies (wipes, all-purpose cleaner)
- Donation bags or boxes
- Optional: Space bags for soft items like tree skirts and fabric decorations
The Fresh Start Feeling
Here’s what I love most about post-holiday decluttering: it’s not just about removing Christmas stuff. It’s about creating space—physical and mental—for whatever the new year holds. Every time I complete this process, I feel lighter, more in control, and genuinely excited about the fresh slate ahead.
The Real Simple guide to decluttering emphasizes that post-holiday organization sets the tone for your entire year. I couldn’t agree more! When your home feels clear and intentional in January, you’re more likely to maintain that energy throughout the months ahead.
💡 PRO TIP: Once you’ve finished decluttering, do something special in your newly refreshed space. Light a candle, enjoy a cup of tea in your clean living room, or host a casual game night. Celebrating the work you’ve done reinforces the positive feelings associated with maintaining an organized home.
Your Turn!
I’d love to hear about your post-holiday decluttering journey! What’s your biggest challenge when it comes to the after-Christmas cleanup? Do you have any brilliant storage hacks or organizational tricks that work for your family? Drop a comment below and let’s share our best tips—we’re all in this together, and I always learn something new from this amazing community!
Remember: Progress over perfection, friends. Your home doesn’t need to look like a magazine spread; it just needs to work for YOU and your family. Happy decluttering!
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