Here we are. The New Year is underway, and many of us have high expectations for 2026. I know I do, and I imagine you do, too. Before we can truly embrace this new year, it’s important to clean up, declutter, and organize after the holidays.
Yes, as tempting as it is to procrastinate and tell ourselves we’ll get to it later, there are many reasons to simply bite the bullet and clean up, declutter, and organize now.
One of the best reasons? The new year often brings new routines, habits, or even a new job. It’s much easier to start something new when you’re not feeling overwhelmed by the stuff in your home. Below is a simple, step-by-step guide to help you clean up, declutter, and organize after the holidays.
Put Away Holiday Decorations
Start by putting away your holiday decorations. As you do this, set aside anything you no longer want to use.
- If decorations are tired or broken, throw them away or recycle them.
- If they’re still in good condition, donate them.
Next, take down your Christmas tree.
- If you have a live tree, arrange for removal or curbside pickup if your town offers that service.
- If you have an artificial tree, take it apart carefully and store it in a box or bag to keep it in good condition.
Once the holiday items are stored, clean your surfaces and return your everyday décor to its place.
Put Away Holiday Gifts
Many gifts arrive in boxes. If you plan to keep and use the gift, recycle the box. The exception is electronics, which may need to be returned or serviced.
Boxes take up unnecessary space. If you need boxes for shipping or storage, keep only a few. Otherwise, break them down and recycle them. More free space equals less clutter.
As you put gifts away, notice whether a new item can replace something you already own.
For example, I received a beautiful new sweater for Christmas. I don’t own one in that color, but I do have an older sweater with holes in it. Letting go of the old sweater makes room for the new one. I can donate it to Goodwill or GreenDrop.
Clean Up, Declutter, and Organize as You Put Things Away
If your gift is clothing, look in the drawer, shelf, or closet where it belongs. Can you remove one or two items to make room?
Before putting the new item away, take a few minutes to clean that drawer or shelf. It truly doesn’t take long to empty one space, wipe it out, and remove anything you no longer wear. Then neatly put everything back, including your new gift.
If your gift belongs in the kitchen, decide where it will live. Is there something you can clean up, declutter, and organize to make space for it? Follow the same simple steps.
Maybe your gift is a photograph or decorative item. I love receiving pictures of my grandchildren, and I imagine you enjoy displaying photos of people you love, too. Before adding something new to your space, take the time to clean up, declutter, and organize so it can be enjoyed rather than lost in visual clutter.
Reasons to Clean Up, Declutter, and Organize Post Holidays
One of the best reasons to clean up, declutter, and organize small spaces is confidence. You know there’s room for your new items, you know where they are, and you’ll actually use them. They won’t sit forgotten in a box at the back of a shelf.
Another reason to tackle this now is to avoid a common mistake. Recently, my husband discovered two gifts he had tucked into a drawer to open later – and then forgot about. He only found them when he decided to declutter and organize the drawer. Both were books from his brother that he’s excited to read.
Finally, when you clean up, declutter, and organize now, you begin the new year knowing your home is ready for what’s next. Decorations are put away, gifts are ready to use, and you can start fresh.
If this is something you want to do but struggle with, reach out to me. Send me an email to schedule a free consultation. We can work together in person if you’re in Atlanta or virtually if you’re anywhere else in the world.
FAQs
How long should it take to clean up, declutter, and organize after the holidays?
It doesn’t have to happen all at once. Start with small spaces – one drawer, one shelf, or one category at a time. Even 15–30 minutes a day makes progress.
What if I feel overwhelmed and don’t know where to start?
Start with the most visible area, like holiday decorations or gifts still in boxes. Seeing quick wins builds momentum.
Should I keep boxes for gifts I might return?
Yes, temporarily. Keep boxes only for items that may need to be returned or serviced, and recycle them once you’re sure you’re keeping the item.
What’s the biggest mistake people make after the holidays?
Putting things away without decluttering first. This often leads to overstuffed drawers and forgotten items.
Can a professional organizer help with post-holiday organizing?
Absolutely. A professional organizer can help you make decisions, create systems, and move forward without feeling overwhelmed.
Because I can’t stand the clutter of inbound gifts not being put away, my rule is that I have to write the thank you note before I can put gifts away. Otherwise, I might procrastinate on sending them, and I do believe in old-fashioned etiquette. So, the process is: write note, mail it, put gift away (or read the instructions and set it up), and then let go of the old stuff. Everything you recommend, plus the trigger for writing note means that I won’t keep piles of goodies. This works well at birthday time, too!
The approach you describe has all of the benefits you explain, plus it allows people to “close the loop.” Too often, we acquire something but it doesn’t make it to where it needs to be to use it. With clothing, it often sits in the bag, then the bag gets moved from the car to the front hall, and then to the stairs, and then to the bedroom, and then it will sit on the closet floor. So often, my clients are shocked to fine their holiday presents and purchases, still with the tags on but buried and forgotten. Your approach eliminates that issue!
Absolutely, Julie! I love your strategy for writing Thank You notes. I believe in them, too.
Happy New Year! Great reminders, Diane! This year was the first in a few years that I took some time to declutter and organize my attic space before adding the filled Christmas bins. I felt so much better about the space now. It is fantastic that I had such a busy year; I felt the need to declutter A LOT from October to December. And, man, did that help me mentally in my home and business. While I broke a 30+ year old ornament, the angel topper on the tree, and the lights on part of our artificial tree burned out, we had a plan, purchased replacements, and are ready for next year, instead of waiting until November and realizing we have a broken bulb. Planning and getting the items now, while they are discounted, will help me during the holidays.
That’s terrific, Sabrina
We’ve been pushing through on these tasks up here this weekend. We went away after Christmas, and then came back to having to do all the de-decorating, unpacking, grocery shopping, laundry, and gift-putting-away. Even for an organized person, it does feel like a lot.
One thing I was noticing as I took the ornaments off of 2 trees is that I could cull our ornament collection if we ever wanted to move down to one tree. I was thinking about each ornament as I wrapped it. Same is true with some of our decor. I know this isn’t the time to donate holiday decorations, but I may donate a bit come next fall.
That’s a great observation, Seana.
Happy New Year, Diane! I love the suggestion to “Clean Up, Declutter, and Organize as You Put Things Away!” I can’t help but do that myself, and actually have to resist the urge to go full scale on the place where I ended up. That is when my timer helps. :-)
Timers are great for that!
Every year, I try to put things away in a way that will make it easier next time. This year, I combined the contents of a small tote and a cardboard box into a large tote, which will be easier to carry upstairs and provide more protection for what’s left. This did involve getting rid of just a couple of ornaments we never display anymore. I also rearranged the contents of the storage locker when I put them away. Yay me!
Great job, Janet!
Great tips!
I love my Christmas decorations, but I also love the clean look for the New Year when all the decor has been put away.
As soon as I make a note of any gift for writing a thank-you note, I put it away. If it is an object that sits out, then usually it has to replace something else.
That happened to me this year with a picture that I received as a gift.
Looking forward to a fresh new year.
Thanks, Jonda!
That post-holiday reset is a great way to ease into the new year. It’s literally one way to ‘wrap up’ one year to prepare for the next. I use this same type of thinking after hosting holiday gatherings and parties. The house gets reset, cleaned, and ready for what comes next.
I also think of the idea as “full circle thinking.” You open a drawer, then close it. You wash your clothes and put them away. You buy groceries and then store them. It’s task or project completion. Without it, it’s easy to get stuck in unfinished loops.
I agree, Linda. It is a “full circle” idea. Thank you for that analogy.