[This article first appeared here in December 2021. It has been expanded and revised.]

For many people, the holidays means making meals, making memories, and celebrating with family and friends. It also means more stuff to find a place for!

All those presents under the tree, along with all the things we tend to pick along the way during the holidays, can add up to much more clutter by New Year's. Which means clutter control is now a priority.

Clutter Control: Holiday Decluttering

"'Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house...     was lots of stuff."

We've all been there.

Hectic holidays, people in and out, gifts and presents and new purchases all over the place. The house is a mess and the schedule is too much. What's a person to do?

Take an entire day to do nothing but clean, organize, and clear everything out you don't want or need right before New Year's? Nobody's got time for that! For most of us, the week between Christmas and the dropping of the Ball in Times Square is barely enough to catch our breath.

So, how can anyone hope to have a house looking spiffy without cramming everything extra out in the garage (or the basement or the attic or spare bedroom)?

Clutter control doesn't have to be a full-out assault on your domestic mess. A simple strategy for keeping things in check throughout the holiday season can help keep your home uncluttered, inviting, and comfortable even after the additional avalanche of Christmas gifts adding to your pile of belongings!

Decluttering Your Home During the Holidays:

A Guide to Reclaiming Space and Serenity

The holiday season is a time of joy, warmth, and togetherness. However, amidst the festivities, our homes often become a hub for decorations, gifts, and gatherings, leading to clutter that can quickly accumulate.  All that "deck the halls" can add up to a large amount of trash, waste, and plain, old clutter.

And, while the holiday season is a time of celebration, it's also an opportune moment to declutter and restore a sense of peace and spaciousness to your living space.

Here are some tips garnered from experts across the web:

1. Start Early, Start Small

Embarking on a decluttering journey during the holidays may seem daunting, but the key is to start early and take small, manageable steps. Begin with a specific area—a closet, a room corner, or a countertop—and set aside some time each day to declutter. Tackling small sections gradually can make the process less overwhelming.

2. Festive Sorting and Donating

The holiday season is also a time of giving. As you sift through belongings, consider items that are no longer in use but could bring joy to someone else. Create separate piles for items to donate, sell, or discard. Clothes, toys, kitchenware, or electronics that are in good condition can be donated to local charities or shelters, spreading the holiday cheer to those in need.

3. Organize Seasonal Decorations

Decorating for the holidays often involves unpacking various ornaments and decorations. As you adorn your home, take the opportunity to sort through existing decorations. Donate or discard items that no longer align with your festive vision. Invest in storage containers or organizers to keep holiday decorations tidy and easily accessible for future years.

4. Gift-Giving with Purpose

The tradition of gift-giving brings joy, but it can also contribute to clutter. Consider thoughtful and intentional gifts rather than adding to material possessions. Opt for experiences, consumables, or gifts that serve a purpose and won’t accumulate as clutter. Encourage friends and family to consider alternative gift options, such as donations to charitable causes or contributions towards experiences.

5. Plan a Post-Holiday Clean-Up

Prepare for a post-holiday clean-up in advance. As the celebrations wind down, set aside time to declutter and reorganize. Dispose of wrapping paper, packaging materials, and any unnecessary items accumulated during the festivities. Make it a family affair—include everyone in the clean-up process to instill a sense of shared responsibility.

6. Consider Professional Help

Sometimes, decluttering can feel overwhelming or time-consuming, especially during the bustling holiday season. Consider hiring a professional junk removal service to assist with clearing out larger items, disposing of unwanted belongings, and ensuring a clutter-free home quickly and efficiently.

7. Embrace a Minimalist Mindset

Amidst the holiday chaos, embrace the principles of minimalism. Focus on the value of experiences and connections over material possessions. Reflect on what truly matters during this season—spending quality time with loved ones, creating cherished memories, and fostering a welcoming and peaceful home environment.

Decluttering during the holidays is not just about tidying up; it’s about reclaiming space, reducing stress, and creating an environment that fosters joy and tranquility. As you navigate this festive season, remember that a decluttered home can lead to a decluttered mind, allowing you to fully embrace the spirit of the holidays.

Clutter Maintenance Can Help Keep Clutter Under Control

For most of us, the holidays are not a great time to stop everything in order to dive into some deep cleaning in the house. In fact, effective "clutter control" is really more a matter of keeping on top of things in small ways each day - it's more clutter maintenance than decluttering and deep cleaning.

Part of the challenge for many of us, too, is knowing where to start and what to focus on. In the spirit of giving, we've put together this handy "Holiday Clutter Control Checklist" to provide you with some simple tips and guidance for helping keep your home clutter-free, stress-free, and full of cheer this holiday season!

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Make Room with Holiday Decluttering and Junk Removal

After all your parties are over, the in-laws have finally left, and you've found homes for all the new things you and your family received, you will probably have old stuff that needs to be disposed of.

If you are unable to sell it or donate it, or you simply don't have the time for that, you can call on the services of a professional junk hauling firm.

At Junk King, we understand that decluttering and organizing can make for a happy home. And that usually involves getting rid of stuff. So, let Junk King take care of the excess junk and all the unwanted stuff!

Our professional and expert residential junk removal services can provide you with an easy solution for clearing out your clutter and hauling away your unwanted junk after the holidays.

Being Green, Being Kind, and Giving Back

Junk does not have to end up in a landfill because Junk King believes in recycling every bit of material possible. So, you can feel good about doing the eco-friendly thing when you work with us.

In addition, we also send any usable items to local non-profits and donation centers to help your community and reduce waste. One person’s unwanted furniture or electronics may do a stranger in need a world of good! 

Our professional and insured trash removal team will show up on time at your home and we'll call 15 to 30 minutes before we arrive. Once we're there we’ll give you a free estimate based on how much room your items take up in our truck. You simply point and we'll load your items into our junk removal trucks - and all without any hidden fees!

Ready to get rid of that holiday junk? It can be as easy as 1, 2, 3.

Just make an appointment by booking online above or by calling us at 1.888.888.JUNK (5865).