Pre-Christmas Clear Out: Get Your Home Ready
Christmas has a habit of bringing more into our homes — extra food, presents, winter clothing, decorations and often more people too.
A pre-Christmas clear out is a great opportunity to make some space, use what you already have and get organised before the festive rush begins.
You don't need to tackle the whole house. Start with the areas that are likely to work hardest over the Christmas period.
1. Give your kitchen a pre-Christmas clear out
Christmas often means more entertaining, bigger food shops and cooking larger amounts, so it's worth making some space before it all begins.
Start by having a look through your cupboards, fridge and freezer.
Do you have packets lurking at the back that are out of date? Are there things that need using up soon? Rather than adding more to an already-full cupboard, try using up those items now before you do your big Christmas food shop.
It's also a good time to look at your kitchen equipment. Are your pans, baking trays and serving dishes still useful? Is anything broken or duplicated?
➜ Clear first, replenish second. You'll know what you actually need and have more room for the extra food and cooking you'll be doing over Christmas.
‘Before you buy more, take a look at what you already have’.
2. Sort your winter clothes
If you do a seasonal wardrobe swap, the arrival of your winter clothes is the perfect opportunity for a mini clear out.
As you bring out coats, jumpers, boots and other winter clothing, ask yourself:
Does it still fit?
Do I actually enjoy wearing it?
Does it still suit me?
Did I wear it last winter?
There's no point putting something back into your wardrobe simply because you've always had it.
And don't forget the children. Check whether their winter coats, hats, gloves and boots still fit before the colder weather really arrives. Anything they've outgrown can be donated, passed on or sold.
➜ Do the clear out as you swap over, rather than putting everything away and promising yourself you'll deal with it later.
‘Make space for the clothes you actually enjoy wearing’.
3. Kids' spaces: Make room for Christmas
Christmas often means lots of new things for children, so it's a good time to look at what they already have before the presents arrive.
Work through their toys, games and books together. What do they no longer play with? What have they grown out of? What could be passed on?
Good-quality items could be donated to charity, while things with a resale value could be sold. Why not let the children keep some or all of the money from anything they sell? It can be a good incentive to get them involved and gives them a sense of the value of their belongings.
It's also a useful time to think about their Christmas list. Once you've cleared some space, you may have a better idea of what they actually need or would genuinely enjoy.
And when you're buying, consider second-hand. Pre-loved toys, games and books can save money and are a more sustainable way to shop.
➜ Clear some space now, so there's somewhere for the new things to go.
4. Get your hallway ready for winter
Bring out the winter coats and put away anything you won’t need over the colder months. Check what still fits, what actually gets worn and whether anything can be donated.
Then look at your shoes and boots. Do you have a place for everyone’s everyday shoes? Enough space for winter boots and wellies? Are coats, bags and shoes ending up in a pile because the current setup isn’t quite working?
One of my own winter tricks is keeping wellies in the boot of the car, ready for muddy walks rather than taking up valuable space in the hallway.
A simple tote bag on a coat hook can make a handy home for winter hats, gloves and scarves — keeping them together and easy to grab.
➜ A few small changes now can make a big difference when wet coats, muddy boots and Christmas visitors start arriving.
‘A place for everything makes a busy hallway easier to manage.’
5. Shop mindfully this Christmas
A clear out is only half the story. It’s also worth thinking about what you bring into your home in the first place.
Before buying something, ask yourself:
Do I really need this?
How much use will I get from it?
Do I already have something that could do the job?
Could I buy it second-hand or borrow it if I only need it for Christmas?
This can be particularly useful when buying serving dishes, specialist kitchen equipment, decorations or entertaining items that might only come out once a year.
Mindful shopping doesn’t mean buying nothing. It’s about buying with intention and bringing home things that are genuinely needed, useful or loved.
➜ A little thought before you buy can save you from having to declutter it later.
You don’t need to declutter your whole home before Christmas. Choose the areas that will make the biggest difference, use up what you already have, pass on what you no longer need and think twice before bringing more into your home.
A little preparation now can mean more space, less clutter and a calmer home when Christmas arrives.
If there’s a room, cupboard or area of your home you’ve been putting off, Simplify + Style can help. I offer practical home organising and decluttering support to create spaces that are easier to manage and work better for everyday life.
