10 Things You Should Toss Before The Holidays Hit
The holiday season is filled with joy, family, and celebration but it can also bring a lot of extra clutter into your home. Guests arrive, new gifts pile up, and seasonal décor takes over every surface. If your home already feels packed, the holidays can quickly turn from magical to stressful. That’s why fall is the perfect time to do a quick declutter challenge. By clearing space now, you’ll make your home feel lighter, calmer, and more welcoming just in time for holiday gatherings. Ready to get started? Let’s dive into the 10 things you should toss (or donate!) before the holidays hit.
9/28/20252 min read
10 Things to Toss Before the Holidays
Things you may need:
1. Expired Pantry Goods
Holiday baking requires space and fresh ingredients. Toss expired spices, stale snacks, and outdated pantry items to make room for all the seasonal treats you’ll soon be stocking up on.
2. Worn Out Kitchen Gadgets
How many spatulas does one kitchen really need? Donate duplicates and toss broken gadgets cluttering your drawers. Freeing up kitchen space will make Thanksgiving cooking much less stressful.
3. Excess Décor
If it sat in a box last year, chances are you won’t use it this year either. Let go of tired décor pieces to keep only what sparks joy and fits your holiday style.
4. Tired Towels & Linens
Fresh linens instantly make guests feel welcome. Replace worn out towels, frayed sheets, or mismatched sets with fresh, cozy alternatives.
5. Outgrown or Unused Kids’ Toys
With new gifts coming soon, now is the perfect time to donate toys your kids no longer use. It creates space for what’s new and teaches generosity.
6. Clothes That Don’t Fit or You Don’t Wear
Seasonal wardrobes can quickly overflow. Use the “one in, one out” rule: every time you add something new, donate one old item. Your closet will thank you.
7. Old Paper & Mail Stacks
Piles of paper on your counters? File what matters, shred the rest. A clean surface creates a calm, clutter free home just in time for guests.
Note: A good paper shredder can help get rid of piles of papers and keep your information safe.
8. Bathroom Products Past Their Prime
Expired makeup, lotions, and half used bottles add unnecessary clutter. Toss them and refresh your bathroom with only what you actually use.
9. Random Electronics & Cords
We all have a drawer of mystery chargers and old gadgets. If you haven’t used it in a year, recycle or donate it. Simplify your tech space before the chaos of holiday shopping.
10. Shoes You Haven’t Worn in a Year
Shoes take up prime closet space. Donate pairs you haven’t touched in 12 months to make room for boots, slippers, and new holiday finds.
Tools That Make Decluttering Easier
Heavy duty donation bags perfect for drop offs.
Shelving units keep what you love neatly stored.
A paper shredder to keep your information safe.
Final Thought
Decluttering before the holidays isn’t about tossing everything, it’s about making space for what matters most: family, friends, and the joy of the season. By letting go of what you don’t need, you’re creating a calm, clutter free environment that makes the holidays more enjoyable for everyone.
Ready to take on the challenge? Grab your donation bags and start today you’ll thank yourself when the guests arrive and your home feels beautifully organized.
Earns Commissions