5 Things You Should Toss Before Hosting Christmas, According to Pro Organizers

Let’s face it: the holidays can be stressful, especially if you’re the one hosting. There's food to prepare, a guest list to curate, and gifts to purchase. But the biggest silent stressor? Cleaning and organizing your space to prepare for the festivities.

It can be tough to know what to toss and what to simply tuck away for later. To help you get organized and minimize your pre-hosting jitters, we chatted with professional organizers to help you decide what to get rid of before a Christmas gathering and why.

Countertop Clutter

We're not saying to throw your prized trinkets in the trash, but now is a good time to audit the items on your countertops. "With kitchen counters, having clear space gives you more room to prep, plate, and serve," says Lenora O'Keith, decluttering and organizing expert at Aronel Home. "It also allows you to focus on mise en place, and makes the 'clean as you go' approach to cooking a breeze."

O'Keith also recommends temporarily removing any personal items from bathroom countertops. "Store your personal items in the cabinet temporarily, or place them in a small storage box and hide it under the bathroom sink," she says. "When hosting, ideally, there’s nothing on your bathroom counter except hand soap, hand or paper towels, and maybe a candle or small succulent for décor."

Not only do knick-knacks steal valuable space, but they also can create a feeling of chaos. "When our countertops have a lot of visual clutter, it can create a stress response in our bodies," Cathy Orr, co-founder of The Uncluttered Life, explains. "Try to offload clutter to see if it gives a calmer feel."

Damaged Holiday Décor

In the process of getting Christmas décor out of the attic, basement, or spare closet, you might notice that some items have been damaged since last year. Think string lights that don’t work, inflatables with holes, and cracked ornaments.

If you determine the damage is something you can’t (or don’t want to) fix, it might be time to part with these items, says Laura McHolm, co-founder of NorthStar Moving Company. You don’t need to clutter your space with broken Christmas items that'll be on display for visitors.

"If you have a holiday wreath that has seen better days, for example, it's okay to toss it in the trash," notes Orr. "Items that can be thrown away also include those that are broken, like ornaments that have previously fallen from the tree or came apart during storage."

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Serving Pieces You Don’t Use

While it's fun to pick up beautiful serveware whenever you see it at the thrift store, if you find yourself using the same pieces over and over, it’s time to reevaluate your collection.

"As a professional organizer, one thing I see people hold onto that actually makes hosting harder or more stressful is serving dishes that serve no purpose or are the wrong size," O’Keith remarks. "Perhaps you bought them because they were on sale, or maybe someone gave them to you, but keeping serving trays and dishes that are no longer compatible with your current lifestyle adds to clutter and disorganization.”

Instead, Orr says it's better to have just a couple of high-quality serving pieces. "Many people tend to think more is better, but by keeping only that which is very special to us, we enjoy them more," she says.

Outdated Paper Piles

The holiday season is the perfect excuse to toss stacks of paper that have accumulated around your home, including bills, junk mail, and invitations.

Piles like these tend to build up slowly, and before you know it, your space feels more like a cluttered office than a festive gathering spot. McHolm explains that these seemingly innocuous piles of papers can cause stress and take up valuable counter space that would be better used for decorations, drinks, and delicious food.

A simple rule of thumb: If the paper is outdated or irrelevant, it’s time to get rid of it. Not only will you reclaim valuable space, but you'll also create a calmer environment. 

Holiday Items You No Longer Enjoy

Just because an item is seasonally appropriate doesn’t mean it deserves space in your home. If a holiday decoration has lost its charm or is a piece you feel obligated to keep because it was gifted, it’s time to toss it. O'Keith recommends donating anything in good condition so it can brighten someone else's home.