Stress-Free Holiday Storage & New Year Reset Tips
A December Guide to Staying Organized Before, During & After the Holidays
The holiday season is here — twinkling lights, festive décor, joyful gatherings, and all the magic that makes this time of year so special. But as we savor the celebrations, it’s also the perfect moment to think ahead. A little planning now can make taking down decorations easier and set you up for a calmer, more organized start to the new year.
At MACMOM Organizing, we believe that preparation is one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself. Here are some simple steps you can take now in December to ensure holiday cleanup is stress-free — and your New Year begins with clarity and ease.
Set Yourself Up for Easy Takedown
Before you fully dive into holiday decorating, take a moment to think about how you want to store everything afterward.
Ask yourself:
Where do I want my décor bins to live?
Do I have enough containers for fragile ornaments, lights, and wreaths?
Do I want to label bins by room or by Christmas category?
Spending a few minutes preparing now will make the post-holiday cleanup dramatically easier — and much more organized.
2. Declutter Before You Deck the Halls
Before you start decorating, do a quick sweep through the spaces you’ll be using most — living room, kitchen, entryway, dining room.
Clear off surfaces, donate outdated décor, toss broken items, and make room for the joyful pieces you love.
This not only makes decorating easier but also helps avoid that overwhelmed feeling once the season is over.
3. Create a Holiday Storage Plan (Before the Holidays Begin!)
Instead of stuffing decorations away in whatever bin is closest, decide ahead of time how you want to store things later.
We suggest:
Clear, labeled containers for ornaments, lights, garlands, and figurines
A wreath bag to protect greenery
A “First Out / Last In” box with essentials you use every December
When you know where everything will go BEFORE December 26 arrives, cleanup becomes a calm, easy process instead of a stressful chore.
4. Keep a Donation Box Handy All Month
December naturally brings more “stuff” into the home — gifts, décor, hosting supplies. This is the perfect time to set up a Holiday Donation Box in a corner of your mudroom, hallway, or closet.
Throughout the month, drop in:
Outgrown toys
Holiday décor you no longer use
Extra linens or kitchen items
Clothing you no longer love
By the time the holidays end, you’ll have decluttered without even trying — and your home will feel lighter heading into January.
5. Start Your New Year Reset Now
Even during the festive season, you can lay simple groundwork for a fresh, organized start to the new year.
Try:
✨ A 10-minute nightly tidy
✨ Reorganizing one high-traffic drawer each week
✨ Refreshing your entryway for winter gear
✨ Making a list of home systems you want to improve in January
Small December habits reduce January overwhelm — and help you step into the new year with intention.
✨ Give Yourself the Gift of a Stress-Free Holiday Season
By planning ahead, simplifying where you can, and thinking about storage before the decorations even go up, you’ll save yourself time and stress later. Your future self (the one looking at a living room full of ornaments in January!) will thank you.
At MACMOM Organizing, we help families stay organized through every season — especially the busy ones. Whether you want support with holiday prep, takedown, or a New Year home reset, our team is here to help you start 2026 feeling refreshed, calm, and clutter-free.
Ready to enjoy a simpler, more organized holiday season?
Book your December or January session today and let us help you create a peaceful transition into the new year.
