4 Things You Should Throw Away Before the Holidays for a Clean Slate

For some people, holiday decorating begins the moment the Thanksgiving dishes are put away. The joy of the holiday season sweeps through their homes, but in the midst of the festive fervor, it's easy to overlook all of the stuff around your home that should probably not be around your home. 

Before transforming your home into a winter wonderland, take a moment to dispose of unnecessary items and create a clean slate for the holidays.

Read on to see what four items need to go before you start decorating.

Old Decorations

The easiest items can go first—get rid of those lights that just don’t work. Tangled strings of lights and boxes of shattered ornaments are not only frustrating to deal with but can also dampen the holiday spirit.

Before you start untangling and decorating your tree, sift through your collection of lights and ornaments. Plug in every cord of lights to make sure they actually light up, and check all your ornaments to ensure they’re not too broken to fix. Discarding any that are broken, non-functional, or missing parts will save you time and frustration.

Now comes the trickier bits of decluttering. The allure of nostalgia often prompts us to hang onto decorations from seasons past. While sentimentality has its place, there are bound to be a few pieces in your collection that you don’t actually like.

Take a deep look at your collection and part ways with items that no longer align with your style, remind you of a moment or year you absolutely adore, or just have seen better days. Think this will make room for fresh, festive additions that truly make the season joyful.

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Ripped Wrapping Paper

Most people often have a stash of wrapping paper and gift bags accumulated over the years. Before you embark on your gift-wrapping extravaganza, sift through your supplies. Dispose of wrinkled and torn wrapping paper and bags that you just aren’t going to use again.

Expired Ingredients and Gadgets

Beyond the decor, you simply have to clean out the fridge. The holiday season is full of lots of cooking, hosting, and gatherings, which means there are going to be a lot of ingredients and leftovers taking over your pantry and refrigerator.

Take a moment to assess your food stocks and discard any expired items or ingredients you know you won't use. This will not only free up space but also make room for fresh, festive ingredients for your holiday culinary adventures.

This goes for unused or broken kitchen gadgets, too. Get rid of any items that are broken, or you haven’t used in years. It’ll save frustration when you try to use a peeler that no longer works on Christmas day.

Boxes

Now this one may seem obvious, but the aftermath of Black Friday and Cyber Monday often leaves us with a pile of empty boxes and packaging materials.

Before the holiday decorating begins, break down and recycle those old boxes as soon as you can. You can even use some of those delivery boxes for wrapping—as long as you choose with discretion. 

As you bid farewell to these items, you'll not only declutter your home but also pave the way for a fresh start to the holiday season. Embrace the joy of decorating with intention and creating a space that reflects the warmth and magic of the holidays with a clutter-free environment.