From Holiday Clutter to Calm: Your Mom Reset Starts Now

The holiday season is always magical but I know I’m not the only one whose living room looks like a toy store exploded.

Between the excess wrapping paper scraps, new gifts from grandparents, and clothes that mysteriously no longer fit, I always find myself drowning in post-holiday clutter. I’m sure I’m not  the only mom that feels overwhelmed. 

After all, post-holiday organization isn’t just about cleaning up, it’s about reclaiming your space and your peace of mind.

Here’s some ideas on how to tackle the chaos, one toy bin and closet at a time, and find joy (and floor space) in the process.

Step One: Assess the Post-Holiday Damage

Start with a good look around. Honestly, it can be overwhelming at first. 

The toys are still half-wrapped, and there are boxes that haven’t made it to the recycling bin, and not to mention, your kids’ closets are probably bursting with outfits they have clearly outgrown overnight.

Make a list. Nothing fancy, just three columns labeled Toys, Clothes, and Miscellaneous. 

Get a sense of what needs to be sorted, donated, or stored.

Tip

Take photos before and after your decluttering. It’s surprisingly motivating to see progress in action!

Step Two: Sort Toys with Purpose

Toys should be the first thing on the list because they are most likely everywhere (at least in our house). Consider enlisting the help of your kids and turn it into a game. 

We like to use the “Keep, Donate, Trash” method.

Keep 

Beloved toys they still use regularly.

Donate

Gently used toys that have fallen out of rotation.

Trash

Broken toys, games with missing pieces, or anything unsafe.

It was eye-opening to see how many duplicates we had. Somehow, we always end up with multiple sets of legos and duplicate books. 

Once we thinned out the collection, we had breathing room again.

Step Three: Create a Toy Rotation System

Instead of putting everything out at once, I’ve started doing a toy rotation with my toddler. Every month, I swap out a set of toys from storage. This not only keeps things fresh and exciting for her  but it also cuts down on mess and clutter.

Use clear storage bins with labels like “January Rotation” or “Quiet Play” to make swaps easy.

Bonus

Less stuff out means quicker clean-up times!

Step Four: Tackle the Clothing Overflow

If you’re anything like me, your kids probably got a ton of new clothes for the holidays. And somehow, their closets still have swimsuits from last summer and pajamas two sizes too small.

I try to tackle their closets one by one. Here’s the method that worked for me:

Empty the entire closet or dresser

My kids love this part

Sort into piles

Keep, Donate, Store (for younger siblings or resale), and Trash.

Try things on 

if you’re unsure (yes, this takes time, but it’s worth it).

I also used this opportunity to teach my older child two how to fold and organize by category. Now they know exactly where to find their socks and they no longer have to go digging.

Step Five: Manage the Chaos (a.k.a. Everything Else)

Then came the random stuff: gift bags, broken ornaments, and a mountain of old and new holiday cards.

I created three quick systems:

Holiday Storage Bin

Everything seasonal (stockings, festive PJs, etc.) goes in here, clearly labeled and stored for next year.

Art Keepsake Box

Let your kids make the cute holiday crafts. Save the most sentimental ones and place them in a memory box.

Command Station

If you have a junk drawer, clear it off and designate one drawer for batteries, instruction manuals, and small parts of new toys.

This can cut down on stress big time. No more digging for the tiny screwdriver or instructions when a toy magically stops working.

Step Six: Set Up Systems That Work for You

Decluttering isn’t a one-time event, it’s a mindset! I knew if I didn’t put new systems in place, I’d be back in chaos by maybe mid-January.

Here are a few routines that help me stay on top of things:

Weekly 10-Minute Pickups

Everyone pitches in to reset their spaces, even the little one.

Donation Bin in the Closet

As soon as something no longer fits or gets ignored, make your kids put it straight into the bin.

Label Everything

Consider using drawer dividers, labeled toy bins, and color-coded hangers to make everything easy to find and return.

And guess what? Your kids may even start taking ownership of their spaces, too. That’s the real win!

Step Seven: Involve the Kids

Decluttering doesn’t have to fall entirely on us moms. In fact, involving your kids builds responsibility, gratitude, and great decision-making skills.

For my kids, You can also talk about space and how too much stuff can make it hard to enjoy what we have.

Make it fun with music, timers, and even rewards (like hot chocolate after cleaning up). It’s not perfect, but it will get the job done and that’s what counts.

Step Eight: Celebrate the Progress

It’s easy to rush to the next thing, but this year, celebrate our post-holiday reset. Light a candle, brew some tea, and just sit in your newly clean (for the time being) living room.

The clutter is gone (for now, lol), the chaos is managed, and your home will feel  like a sanctuary again.

And while everything won’t stay perfect forever, know that you’ve taken steps toward a calmer, more organized home.

Final Thoughts: Finding Peace After the Holidays

Post-holiday decluttering isn’t just about organizing, it’s about protecting your sanity, creating a peaceful environment, and modeling healthy habits for your kids.

There’s no “right way” to do it, and it doesn’t have to happen all at once. Take it room by room, one bin at a time. Your future self will thank you.

From one mom in the trenches to another…you’ve got this!Have a post-holiday organization tip that saved your sanity? Share it in the comments! Let’s help each other navigate the new year with more peace and less mess.