December is a magical month—filled with warm lights, family gatherings, and festive celebrations. But it can also be one of the most overwhelming times of the year when it comes to household clutter. Between the gift-giving, the décor, and the endless flow of once-a-year items, your home can quickly feel overcrowded. That’s why this is one of the best months to take intentional steps toward decluttering and planning smart storage solutions for the holiday season and beyond.
At this time of year, a little organization goes a long way. Whether you’re preparing your home for guests, packing up décor as the season winds down, or setting the stage for a clutter-free new year, a thoughtful approach to December organizing can save you stress, time, and storage space.
Here’s how to make this season smoother, calmer, and more joyful.
1. Why Decluttering Before the Holidays Just Makes Sense
Before the festivities begin, take an hour—or even 15 minutes per room—to reduce clutter. Why? Because holiday décor looks best in a space that feels light, intentional, and free of visual noise. Decluttering before decorating also prevents you from layering “seasonal clutter” on top of everyday clutter.
Areas to focus on:
- Living room: Remove outdated magazines, unused throw blankets, extra décor, toys, and remote-control clutter.
- Kitchen: Clear counters, toss expired items, and donate small appliances you don’t use—extra kitchen space is essential for holiday cooking.
- Guest rooms: Remove old linens, expired toiletry samples, and anything that doesn’t belong. Create a “hotel-like” atmosphere for visiting family.
- Entryway: Make space for extra boots, coats, and bags—this zone gets crowded in December.
Think of pre-holiday decluttering as setting the stage for enjoyment. A simplified environment helps you truly appreciate the décor and moments that matter.
2. Decorate with Intention
It’s easy to collect more holiday décor each year without realizing it. Between gifts, impulse purchases, and trendy finds, your seasonal items may grow faster than your storage space. This year, take a more intentional approach.
Try these décor-focused tips:
- Unpack only what you love: As you unwrap each item, ask yourself if it still brings joy or fits your style. If not, set it aside for donation.
- Create designated décor zones: Instead of spreading decorations randomly, choose a few focal areas—entryway, fireplace, dining table, staircase—so your home feels cohesive, not cluttered.
- Rotate décor collections: If you have a large holiday collection, choose different pieces each year to keep your look fresh while minimizing what you display at once.
- Avoid over-decorating: Leave “breathing room” around décor so your home feels festive but not chaotic.
Intentional decorating not only enhances the look of your home but also prevents storage overload when the season wraps up.
3. Set Up a Holiday Storage Strategy Early
The biggest mistake people make? Waiting until after New Year’s to think about storage. Creating a plan now makes cleanup smoother and keeps items safe, organized, and ready for next year.
Tips for smart holiday storage:
- Group items by category: Lights, ornaments, garlands, tabletop décor, outdoor décor, specialty linens—store each category together.
- Invest in specialized organizers: Ornament dividers, wreath containers, light-winder reels, and ribbon organizers keep delicate items from tangling or breaking.
- Use clear, labeled bins: They protect décor, make retrieval easier, and stack well.
- Label bins by room or zone: “Tree Décor – Living Room,” “Outdoor Lights,” “Mantle Décor,” etc. This speeds up decorating next year.
- Store in accessible locations: Only long-term items should go in deep storage. Holiday décor is used annually, so it needs to be easy to reach.
If you struggle to keep track of what décor you have, ask us about creating a holiday storage inventory system—a digital list or photo catalog you can reference each year before shopping or decorating.
4. Declutter as You Pack Away Holiday Décor
When the season winds down and it’s time to take everything down, use the opportunity to lighten your holiday stash.
Ask yourself:
- Did I use it this year?
- Is it in good condition?
- Does it still match my holiday style?
- Do I have duplicates?
- Does it spark joy—or obligation?
Let go of anything unused, broken, outdated, or no longer meaningful. December and early January decluttering prevents you from storing items that will only gather dust and take up space.
5. Create a “Gift In, Gift Out” Habit
December is the biggest month of the year for new items entering your home. Adopt a simple rule:
For every gift that comes in, one item goes out.
This keeps your space balanced and prevents clutter from sneaking up on you. Encourage kids to do the same by donating toys they’ve outgrown—this teaches generosity and keeps play areas manageable.
6. Organize Your Post-Holiday Clean-Up
The end of the season doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. Break the process into manageable steps and tackle one area at a time.
A suggested cleanup roadmap:
- Week 1 after the holidays: Take down indoor décor.
- Week 2: Coil and pack lights; remove outdoor décor on a mild day.
- Week 3: Sort, declutter, and store items in categorized, labeled bins.
- Week 4: Return furniture, textiles, and spaces to “everyday mode.”
Spacing out the tasks avoids burnout and makes the transition into the new year smoother.
7. Prepare for the New Year with Intentional Organizing
As December winds down, your home is already halfway to a clean slate. Extend that momentum into January by planning a few early-year organizing projects:
- Pantry refresh
- Closet decluttering
- Paperwork sorting
- Garage or storage-room organization
- Digital decluttering
Starting small builds habits that keep your home organized all year long.
8. When to Bring in a Professional Organizer
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, you’re not alone—December is one of the busiest times of year for households, and it’s perfectly normal to need support.
A Professional Organizer can help with:
- Whole-home holiday decluttering
- Holiday décor setup or teardown
- Custom holiday storage solutions
- Creating functional systems for the new year
- Managing donations and handling items responsibly
Sometimes an outside perspective and a little hands-on help make all the difference.
If you’re ready to simplify your holidays and start the new year feeling lighter, Rose City Professional Organizing is here to help. From décor storage solutions to whole-home organizing, our team makes the process effortless so you can focus on what matters most.