8 Ways to Tackle Christmas Clutter and Avoid Festive Chaos

Are you looking forward to Christmas but feel overwhelmed at the thought of the clutter and stuff that comes with it? In this article I’m sharing 8 ways to tackle Christmas clutter and avoid festive chaos!

WHEN THE FESTIVE CHAOS INVADES OUR HOMES AND MINDS!

Christmas can be a tricky time. We all love the holiday season, but let’s be honest—every December, our homes get hit by a tidal wave of decorations, gifts, cards, wrapping supplies, and more. It can start to feel like a festive mess that takes over everything! And I don’t just mean our homes – the festive chaos can overwhelm our brains and To Do lists, just like our spaces!

One of the ways I try to create a simpler, less stressful Christmas is to plan and organise ahead of time so that I’m not running to and fro and my home can be prepared just like my meal plan.

And no, that doesn’t mean my Christmas runs smoothly or perfectly! I just find it easier to handle all the emotions and things I have to do and remember. This forward planning is a little like my Christmas self-care gift to myself!

8 WAYS TO DEAL WITH CHRISTMAS CLUTTER

To help you get a handle on the chaos this Christmas, I’ve broken down the main types of Christmas clutter and shared some simple ways to manage each one so that you can enjoy a calm, organised Christmas without being buried in baubles and tinsel.

1. Decorations Clutter

Christmas decorations are lovely, but they can easily become a burden if we’re dealing with too many. Each year, it’s easy to add a few new things without realising you’ve not cleared any out. Suddenly, you’ve got ten boxes of decorations, half of which don’t even get used.

Here are some tips for dealing with decoration clutter.

• Sort through decorations as you go: While unpacking decorations, set aside anything that feels tired or that you didn’t use last year. If you don’t love it, consider donating it!
• Choose a theme: Sticking to a general colour scheme or theme can help you keep things simple and avoid impulse buys. When you have a clear theme, you’re less likely to keep excess decorations that don’t match. Are you going for silver and white or red and gold, or something different?
• Invest in quality, not quantity: It can be tempting to pick up a few new things each year, but a few high-quality pieces that you truly love will bring more joy than tons of random decorations.
• Store smartly: Use clear boxes to pack everything away after Christmas. Label each box so you can find exactly what you need next year and avoid rummaging through a whole storage cupboard of random boxes.

2. Gift Clutter

We all love giving and receiving gifts, but let’s face it – gifts add to clutter too! We’ve all received a few items that we don’t need or just don’t have space for. And if you’ve got kids, the toy situation can quickly get out of hand too.

I try to buy thoughtful consumable gifts where possible and am always conscious of reducing our need for physical ‘stuff’ where possible. If you’d like to do the same, you might find this list of clutter-free gifts helpful.

Here are some tips on managing gift clutter.

• Be clear about what you want (if someone asks, of course): If friends or family members want to get you something but you’re short on space, it’s perfectly fine to ask for experiences instead, like a meal out or a family day trip.
• Set limits with kids: For children, the “4-gift rule” is a lifesaver: something they want, something they need, something to wear, and something to read. It helps keep the toy pile from getting too high!
• Regift or donate unwanted items: If you receive something lovely but just don’t have a need or space for it, don’t feel guilty about passing it on. Charities welcome new or gently used items, and you’ll know it’s going to someone who’ll enjoy it.
• Gift clutter for future holidays: If you’re given Christmas-specific items, like festive mugs or décor, store them with your decorations rather than letting them clutter up your cupboards all year.

3. Wrapping Paper, Cards, and Gift-Bag Clutter

Gift wrap clutter can sneak up on you! It’s so easy to pick up extra rolls of wrapping paper, bags, ribbons, and tags when they’re on sale or looking especially cute. I also try to recycle gift bags and ribbons that I’ve received with presents and re-use them when wrapping gifts to give to others. Before you know it, you have more wrapping supplies than you can realistically use in one season.

Here are some tips on organising and simplifying your wrapping and supplies.

• Create a wrapping station: Dedicate a small box or drawer to all wrapping supplies so it’s all contained. Place rolls of paper upright in a tall box or container to keep them neat and save space.
• Use it up first: Make a rule to finish off what you have before buying new. Christmas wrapping paper doesn’t go bad, so there’s no rush to pick up more if you still have some from last year. This is why it’s a good idea to see what you’ve got at home already before rushing off to buy yet more.
• Get creative with wrapping: Use reusable options like cloth bags, fabric wraps, or even scarves! Not only are these eco-friendly, but they also save you from piles of used paper that end up in the bin.
• Store leftover bags and boxes: After Christmas, save gift bags, bows, and any reusable boxes. Fold and store them flat to reduce clutter and save on buying new supplies next year.

4. Kitchen and Food Clutter

The Christmas kitchen can be a whirlwind of ingredients, recipe cards, and leftovers. Between extra holiday baking and big festive meals, the fridge and pantry often end up crammed, making it hard to stay organised.

I have to cater for teenage kids that come and go, an extended family with little ones, picky eaters and enthusiastic bakers. Plus, I also try to avoid big supermarkets at Christmas as much as I can, so having plenty of food and options in my store cupboard and freezer is important to me. It not only saves time and stress but we enjoy eating and cooking together at Christmas as a simple tradition that the kids have loved over the years.

Here are some tips on dealing with kitchen clutter.

• Use a meal plan: Plan Christmas meals and snacks ahead so you only buy what you need. This keeps the pantry from overflowing with extras and helps reduce food waste.
• Clear space in the fridge and freezer: Before the big food shop, go through your fridge and freezer, tossing out anything that’s past its best. It makes space for Christmas goodies and ensures you know exactly what you have.
• Cook and freeze ahead: For items you can prepare in advance, make them early and freeze portions. This reduces the stress on Christmas Day and keeps the kitchen mess under control.
• Keep a pantry basket for snacks: Place all the festive snacks, chocolates, and nibbles in a separate basket. This way, everyone knows where to find treats without rummaging around and creating chaos in the pantry. Note: If you don’t want them to eat things before Christmas, put a sign on them to not touch! I’ve learned this from experience in my house!

5. Guest and Entertaining Clutter

If you’re hosting, chances are you’ve got extra bedding, towels, or chairs cluttering up various spaces. Hosting is great, but it’s easy to feel like you’re drowning in stuff by the time guests arrive!

Here are some tips for keeping guest clutter to the minimum.

• Set up a guest essentials box: Gather things like spare toiletries, towels, and blankets in one container or cupboard. This keeps guest items tidy and easily accessible.
• Borrow instead of buy: If you need extra chairs or a dining table, check if family or friends have any to lend rather than buying new pieces that will only add to your clutter long-term.
• Clear out after guests leave: Once everyone heads home, do a quick tidy-up. Pack away any extra bedding and seating, and return borrowed items straight away. This helps you get back to your normal setup quickly.
• Organise a quick laundry system: If you’re hosting over several days, make sure you have a laundry basket ready for all the towels and bedding. This way, you won’t have piles of laundry building up in the guest room.

6. Christmas Card Clutter

Cards are lovely but can start piling up on every surface if you don’t keep them organised. Christmas cards often don’t have a home, so they end up scattered around the house.

Here are some tips on handling Christmas card clutter.

• Display them neatly: Use a card display hanger or pin them on a noticeboard, so they’re all in one place. It looks festive and keeps surfaces clear.
• Digitise your greetings: If your family is open to it, consider switching to digital cards. They’re kinder on storage space and just as heartfelt!
• Reuse or recycle after Christmas: If you love keeping a few cards, store them with your decorations. For the rest, you can recycle them or cut them into next year’s gift tags!

7. Digital Clutter

With so many emails, digital shopping lists, and festive photos, it’s easy to overlook digital clutter. But it’s worth taking a moment to tidy up your devices, too.

Here are some tips on managing digital clutter at Christmas.

• Clear out holiday emails: After Christmas, go through your inbox and unsubscribe from seasonal emails or newsletters you don’t want. Your inbox will feel much lighter in the new year!
• Organise festive photos: Create a folder just for Christmas photos. Save your favourites, and delete any extras or duplicates to keep your gallery manageable.
• Plan ahead for next year: Bookmark any recipes, gift ideas, or decorating inspiration you’d like to try next Christmas. Having them in one spot saves you time and hassle next season!

8. Christmas Clothes and Accessories

Christmas jumpers, festive pyjamas, party outfits – these seasonal items can end up taking over drawers if you don’t have a place for them.

Here are some tips on managing Christmas clothes.

• Designate a festive drawer or box: Keep all your seasonal clothes together, so they’re easy to find (and easy to store away) when the season ends.
• Limit yourself to a few favourites: Christmas jumpers are fun, but sticking to one or two keeps it simple.
• Pack away after the season: After Christmas, wash and store festive items with your decorations or in a separate box. This keeps your wardrobe clutter-free until next year.

CONCLUSION

With these simple tips, you can tackle every type of Christmas clutter and make your home feel calm, cosy, and ready for the holidays. I think it just takes a little bit of forward planning and organisation.

Here’s to a festive season that’s full of joy – not stuff!

MORE ON THIS TOPIC

Here are some other Christmas articles to help you declutter, organise and simplify your home and life this Christmas!

• 8 Tips for Decluttering Christmas Decorations
• 30 Things to Organise and Plan for Christmas
• How To Do a Seasonal Clothing Declutter for A Clutter-Free Wardrobe
• 4 Reasons to Declutter Your Home Before Christmas