Today’s episode is all about how to get a clean house by Christmas, and we’re diving into some really good strategies for starting your decluttering process now. It’s September 20th as we’re recording this episode, and I have to admit, I’m not usually one to think this far ahead. However, it’s the perfect time to get a head start if you want a peaceful holiday season without the overwhelm of clutter.
Now, here’s the thing. I want to remind you that you’re not alone in how you approach this. Some of us are already thinking about Christmas and prepping now, while others don’t start planning until, say, December 17th. And if you’re in the December 17th camp—let’s be real—it’s a bit too late to get everything done stress-free. Starting now ensures that you won’t be rushing through the season in a panic.
We’re going to break this down into three key parts:
- Why you should start decluttering now if you want a clean and calm house by Christmas.
- How to choose your Christmas values and declutter in alignment with those values.
- How to set boundaries for what you want (and don’t want) during the holiday season.
Why Should You Start Now?
Let’s talk about why this is the ideal time to start decluttering. I’ve been doing Motherhood Simplified for two Christmas seasons now, and every December, without fail, I see a wave of panic in the community. People feel overwhelmed by the incoming stuff—gifts from family, friends, and all the other extras that come with the season. The problem is, by that time, it’s almost too late to manage all of the clutter.
The truth is, a lot of us spend the other 11 months of the year accumulating and avoiding decluttering, which makes the holiday season that much more stressful. If you wait until December to start, it’s overwhelming to deal with all the incoming gifts and events while your house is already bursting at the seams.
Let’s take a look at the timeline. Today is September 20th. In about six weeks, Halloween will be over, and you’ll be diving straight into Thanksgiving preparations. Realistically, you won’t have much time to declutter once you start prepping for Thanksgiving, and as soon as that holiday wraps up, Christmas is here. This little window of time between now and Halloween is your best opportunity to get ahead. You’re not bogged down with holiday prep yet, and there aren’t any new gifts or decorations coming into your home. It’s the perfect moment to start decluttering!
Most of us are already living at max capacity—our homes are full, our schedules are tight, and we’re juggling a million things. When Christmas comes along, it can start to feel like more of a burden than a joyful season. By starting now, you can prevent that feeling of overwhelm and make space for the season of generosity and love, rather than feeling like it’s just adding to your already overflowing plate.
Here’s an updated podcast version of this from 2022
The Consequences of Living at Max Capacity
Here’s another thing to keep in mind: when you live at max capacity year-round, it makes it hard to enjoy the holiday season. Instead of being a time to relax, celebrate, and be with loved ones, Christmas starts to feel like a burden. And that’s not fair to you or to the people in your life who want to give and share with you.
Think about it: gift-giving is an expression of love. When people want to give you something, they’re not just thinking about what you want—they’re doing it because it feels good for them to give. But if you’re living at max capacity, it’s hard to receive gifts graciously, and you end up telling people, “Don’t get us anything. Just give us experiences.” That’s not a bad thing, but it can sometimes come from a place of being overwhelmed with stuff rather than actually preferring experiences.
How to Choose Your Christmas Values
The next step in this process is deciding on your Christmas values. What do you want this holiday season to look like? This is such a personal decision, and there’s no right or wrong answer. Some families go all out with gifts, while others prefer to focus on experiences or charitable giving. But if you don’t decide what your values are before the season starts, you may end up disappointed because things didn’t go the way you hoped.
For me and my family, we do a pretty traditional Christmas with gifts because that’s what we enjoy. My husband and I had fun with gifts as kids, and now we get to enjoy giving gifts to our kids. But we’ve learned to do it within limits—within a budget and within the boundaries of what fits in our home—because we’ve spent the year decluttering and making sure we have room to enjoy the season without stress.
So, take some time to think about what Christmas means to you. Do you want to focus on gifts? Do you want to focus on experiences? Or maybe a mix of both? Once you’re clear on your values, it’s easier to set boundaries with family and friends around gift-giving, and that’s the next thing we’ll get into.
By starting your decluttering journey now and getting clear on your Christmas values, you’re setting yourself up for a holiday season that is calm, enjoyable, and aligned with your vision of what Christmas should be. The goal is to create room for what truly matters and to remove the overwhelm of clutter before the busy season hits.
We’ll dive into how to set boundaries and manage expectations during the holidays now
By preparing your home before Christmas and identifying your holiday values, you’ll be in a stronger position to communicate boundaries with family and friends. This way, you won’t feel overwhelmed by gifts or the season itself.
Here’s why it’s essential to do these things now:
First, when you declutter, you’re not only creating physical space but also gaining emotional clarity.
The mental load lightens, and that’s a huge deal when you’re gearing up for the holidays. If you’re not already in Decluttering Simplified, which is my course designed to help you declutter your entire house in four weeks, I encourage you to jump in now. If you start soon, you can be totally prepared and ready to enjoy a simplified holiday season without the clutter weighing you down.
Second, when you have a clear vision of what you want your Christmas experience to be like, it gives you a foundation to stand on.
Without that, it’s hard to set boundaries around gift-giving. When you don’t take control of your space, it can feel unfair to others to ask for no gifts simply because you’re feeling overwhelmed. Gift-giving is about the giver’s intention, not just the recipient’s experience.
Now, once you’ve done the work of decluttering and getting your house in order, it’s fair to communicate your preferences for the holiday season. It’s also important to have a balanced perspective on gift-giving. Sure, you can suggest gift ideas like experiences or specific things that align with your values, but keep in mind that you can’t fully control what people choose to give.
That’s where communication comes in. Be open about your decluttering journey—share with your family and friends how much you’re enjoying the benefits of having fewer things. This can help them understand why you may be asking for simpler or more intentional gifts this year. And if they ask what to get your family, be specific but flexible. Send them wish lists or ideas that align with your values, but don’t be disappointed if they still give traditional gifts. You’re not obligated to keep everything forever—you’re the gatekeeper of your home.
Ultimately, start now.
Take ownership of the things in your home and the choices you’ve made over the past year, so you don’t end up feeling burdened by Christmas gifts.
If you’re ready to make a change and prepare for the season, Decluttering Simplified or the Toy Decluttering 101 course included in this 11 course decluttering bundle can help you get there. They offer not just a fast track to decluttering but also emotional support to help you through the process.
By starting today, you’ll be ready to enjoy a more peaceful and meaningful holiday season, free from the clutter!
