I enjoyed reading Ottilie Blackhall's recent piece for Homes & Gardens, 5 Clutter Hotspots to Clear Ahead of Hosting for the Holidays. It rounds up advice from several professional organizers on the places that tend to pile up this time of year: holiday decor, toys, kitchen cabinets, gift wrap, and the entryway. None of it calls for a whole-house overhaul. It's a short list of spots that, once they're cleared, make the season feel lighter.
A few of their tips stuck with me:
Sort before you decorate. Test your string lights and sort your decorations into keep, donate, and discard before they go up, not after.
Use what you have. Finish off the wrapping paper, ribbon, and gift bags you already have before you buy more.
Let the kids help. Let them choose which toys to pass along. They're far more willing to let go when it's their choice.
Don't forget the front closet. Your guests' first few steps inside your home should feel welcoming, not like a game of coat Jenga.
The goal isn't a perfect house. It's a house with room for people.
There's still time before December, and short sessions add up. Pick one spot this week and see how it feels. What do you want your home to feel like when the doorbell rings this year? If you'd like a hand getting there, I'd love to help.
