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With Christmas just around the corner, households across the UK are preparing for the seasonal influx of gifts, decorations, guests and extra food.
While these festive essentials help make the holidays special, they also come at a price that requires a lot of space.
For many, this means struggling to tidy up in time for showings, while fearing the judgment of a home that isn’t perfectly organized.
However, the UK’s leading decluttering experts, Ingrid Jansen and Lesley Spellman of TheDeclutterHub.com, say there’s no need to panic.
According to the duo, the secret to a stress-free Christmas starts now, with a little tidying and reorganizing before the holiday rush.
In fact, data shows that 72 per cent of Brits feel pressure to clean before welcoming visitors over the holidays, with one in four citing fear of being judged as their main reason for tidying up.
“Christmas is the time when your home works the hardest,” write Ingrid and Lesley in their upcoming book, Reset Your Home, Unpack Your Emotions and Your Clutter, Step by Step, due to be published in February 2025.
‘There’s the influx of gifts, the arrival of guests, and the plethora of “stuff” that comes with the season. Preparing your home now will ensure it is a space where you can relax and celebrate, rather than a source of stress.’
Experts offer seven essential tips for decluttering your home before Christmas Day:
For many people across the UK, Christmas means scrambling to tidy up in time for visitors, while fearing the judgment of a home that isn’t perfectly organized (file image)
Keep your living room tidy
The living room is often the heart of Christmas celebrations, where gifts are opened and family and friends gather to have fun.
But with so much going on in this central space, it can quickly become overrun with clutter.
Lesley advised: ‘Start by sorting out or recycling old magazines, newspapers, DVDs and books that take up unnecessary space.
“This creates space for everyone to sit comfortably and place drinks or snacks, even if there is a huge holiday tree in the corner!”
Experts are urging Brits to avoid hoarding Christmas presents – keep them in designated places and use them on the go. This will help you start the new year with a clean slate.
Experts urge Brits to avoid hoarding Christmas presents – keep them in designated places and use them on the go (file image)
Give your bathroom some love
Although often overlooked, bathrooms are heavily used during the holiday season.
Ingrid advises homeowners to declutter the bathroom by throwing away empty shampoo bottles, expired toiletries and unnecessary products.
Fresh towels, extra toilet paper rolls, and a quick refresh of the space will also ensure it’s ready for guests.
She added: ‘Stock up on essentials like toilet paper and clean towels, and make sure everything is easily accessible for guests. It’s these little touches that make the difference.”
The refrigerator makeover in 15 minutes
With a fridge stocked with turkey, cheeses and seasonal treats over the festive period, organization is key.
Lesley advised: ‘Start taking everything out of the refrigerator and checking the expiration dates on the jars and cardboard boxes. Throw away anything you can no longer eat, especially condiments like mayonnaise and chutney that are often forgotten.
‘Wipe down the shelves and clean the salad drawer, where pieces of vegetables can often remain. If you don’t have time for a full clean, focus on the essentials.’
Finally, adjust shelves to accommodate larger holiday items and plan a “leftover day” to avoid food waste.
With a fridge stocked with turkey, cheeses and seasonal treats over the festive period, organization is key (file image)
Have daily reboots
In the final weeks before Christmas, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.
But instead of letting tasks pile up, break them down into manageable chunks.
Lesley recommended: ‘You’ll need to be aware of your resets – a reset is a combination of tidiness and cleanliness that includes a list of non-negotiable items.
‘This could involve doing a load of laundry a day, wiping down work surfaces, unloading the dishwasher or sweeping the floor.
‘Think about your energy levels, how much time you have and what other tasks might come your way. Allocate short periods of time each day to declutter and organize.
Prepare your utility room
While the laundry room may not be the center of the Christmas festivities, it plays a crucial role in managing clothing, waste and recycling during the busy season.
Lesley advised: ‘Start small, sorting through one cupboard at a time. Throw away items you no longer need and avoid hoarding products unnecessarily; It’s tempting, but where will they all end up?
Plan ahead how to dry wet clothes and make sure you have enough recycling bins and bags to handle extra holiday waste.
According to experts, a little advance planning will keep this space functional all season long.
First impressions
Your hallway is the first area guests encounter when they arrive, so it’s important to keep it tidy.
Guests often arrive with coats, shoes and bags in tow, so your hallway should be prepared to withstand the influx.
The experts said, “Take everything off your rack and decide if you’ll wear them in the coming weeks.”
“Out-of-season coats and shoes should be stored elsewhere to create space for your guests.”
Invest in quality storage bags
When it comes to storing Christmas decorations, the way you store them can save you time and hassle next year.
Experts suggested: ‘If you want to go all out, invest in bags to store wreaths and trees or plastic containers with compartments for ornaments.
“These keep everything in pristine condition and make life so much easier when it’s time to decorate again.”
They advise homeowners to invest in Christmas light winders so they don’t get tangled, and even suggest using a paper towel tube for a cost-effective DIY version.
Whichever storage method you choose, it’s important to always label boxes clearly.
The experts added: “Write what’s inside, whether it’s ornaments, specific color combinations or other decorations.” And don’t forget to sort as you go. If it’s old, broken or unused, get rid of it rather than putting it back into storage.’