It's that time of year again!
We are officially entering pre-holiday decluttering season—that time when we face the chaos that exists in the spare bedroom, under a bed, in the garage, or "all of the above."
Where we store (and sometimes hide!) our seasonal decorations, and how we store them, is the theme of this month's pre-holiday decluttering article.
Here are some timely tips to help you make sense of it all.
Just to review, we have Halloween coming up fast. November brings Thanksgiving family dinners and celebrations, and December welcomes us with Chanukah, Christmas and Kwanzaa.
No wonder we get overwhelmed. That is a lot of planning, decorating and decluttering!
Here's how to make a pre-holiday decluttering plan work for you.
Step 1: Locate Your Seasonal Decorations
First things first. Where is everything?
Find the bins, boxes and bags containing your seasonal decorations and bring them together so you can actually see what you have. Whether they're tucked away in a garage, storage locker or spare bedroom closet, pull everything into one spot.
Step 2: Inspect Last Year's Items
Take everything out and see what is still viable and what is torn, ruined or simply ready to go.
Of course, we all have a tendency to want more. All well and good if you have the room and space to keep everything organized.
If not, consider donating decorations you no longer need or want. Discard anything broken, unusable, dull or just plain worn out. This is a great time to declutter before the holidays so you're only storing what you actually love and use.
Step 3: Start with Halloween
Halloween arrives every year on the last day of October, so you still have a little time.
Make decorating fun for the whole family. With adults in charge, invite the kids to help decorate both inside and outside.
But here's the important part: share the responsibility after the holiday, too! Get everyone involved in taking the decorations down and putting them back into their designated bins and containers.
Storage Tip: Keep your storage bins looking good. Any that are cracked, overstuffed or "not quite right" should be replaced. Life's too short to have cracked and broken organizing bins.
Another Tip: Cardboard boxes certainly have their place, but for decorations you use year after year, I prefer sturdy storage bins. They stack well, help protect your prized possessions and make seasonal decorations much easier to organize and retrieve. Go with bins for long-term holiday storage and boxes for temporary storage and moving.
Step 4: Make Decorating Part of the Celebration
Put on some music, pour the seasonal pumpkin-spice drinks and have fun making your home spooky, creepy and full of wonder.
Decorating doesn't have to feel like another chore on the list. Make it part of the celebration.
Step 5: Put Halloween Away the Right Way
After October 31, get those decorations put away.
Secure them, label the containers for next year and, whenever possible, store everything together in one designated place.
Your future self will thank you next October!
Thanksgiving: Declutter Before the Guests Arrive
Thanksgiving is more of an "inside job" when it comes to decorating.
Focus on warming up the dining room, clearing the kitchen counters and prepping the table in advance for the arrival of family and friends. Here in Boca Raton and across Palm Beach County, many of us are welcoming snowbirds and out-of-town family during this season—another reason to declutter before the holidays hit full swing.
Discount stores can have a great collection of faux autumn leaves, flowers and kitschy items to help embellish the look. Of course, nothing compares to fresh flower arrangements, live plants and the smell of apple-cinnamon spices.
When it comes to seasonal fragrances, I personally prefer more natural options such as soy or beeswax candles, essential oils, or simply simmering cinnamon and spices on the stovetop. There are plenty of simple ways to make the house smell like the holidays, so choose whatever works best for your home and family.
Thanksgiving can be an annual highlight filled with cooking and baking, basting the big bird and, of course, some in-law company fun!
Whether you're a guest in someone else's home or hosting everyone at yours, make the most of it. Add homemade decorations, bring in those fun autumn colors and make the space your own.
December Celebrations: Christmas, Chanukah and Kwanzaa
We love Christmas décor—both inside and outside the home.
And it seems we decorate earlier and earlier, usually just after Thanksgiving dinner is finished and the Black Friday shopping is done.
Again, follow the same process as above. Review what you already have before adding more.
Trash broken lights, cracked ornaments, frayed wires and anything unsafe, worn, torn or simply ready to go.
Depending on your own traditions, have a blast setting up the yard, the roof and the lights. Invite family and friends over if you like.
Get the kids involved with age-appropriate tasks, whether that means hanging stockings on the mantel, picking out a tree or helping decorate it.
You're creating memories while also teaching lessons about design, responsibility and taking care of the things you own.
And don't forget the other side of decorating!
Consider having a seasonal decoration "take down" party. If everyone helps on the front end, everyone can help clean up and return those decorations to their bins after the holidays, too.
The same idea applies to Chanukah and Kwanzaa celebrations, although the decorations may be focused more inside the home than outside.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far in advance should I declutter before the holidays?
Start at least four to six weeks before the first holiday you celebrate. Here in South Florida, that means early October gives you time to sort through Halloween, Thanksgiving and December decorations without feeling rushed.
What is the best way to store seasonal decorations?
Use sturdy, stackable plastic bins with tight-fitting lids. Label each bin by holiday and store them together in a dedicated spot in your garage or storage locker. Avoid cardboard for long-term storage—Florida's humidity can cause mold and damage.
How do I decide what holiday decorations to keep or donate?
If you haven't used it in two holiday seasons, it's time to let it go. Donate items in good condition to local Boca Raton charities or thrift stores. Toss anything broken, faded or missing pieces.
Can a professional organizer help with pre-holiday decluttering?
Absolutely. A professional organizer can help you sort, purge and set up efficient storage systems in a fraction of the time. At A+ Clutter Clearing Services, we help homeowners across Boca Raton, Delray Beach and Palm Beach County get holiday-ready with personalized organizing plans. Call 561-706-7779 for a free consultation.
These tips, insights and ideas are presented by A+ Clutter Clearing Services. We help with home organizing, designing with a feng shui flair, and making the process of letting go of items that no longer serve us as effortless and enjoyable as possible.
Visit us online at AplusClutterClearing.com and on social media, including Google, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.
If you have questions or are looking for solutions, please don't hesitate to contact me, David Hall, at 561-706-7779. With almost 10 years of experience and 73+ five-star Google reviews, we're here to help your home shine this holiday season.
We enjoy this family time of year as much as anyone, so let's do our very best to bring in the holiday season with fun, excitement, purpose and family connection.
May you and yours have the very best holiday season ever.
Clear the Clutter…Clear the Mind™
May Peace Prevail on Earth