10 Things You Need to Throw Out Before Christmas

The Christmas season has a way of shining a spotlight on every corner of your house. Suddenly that drawer, that closet, and that pile in the corner all feel louder when you’re trying to decorate, wrap gifts, or host family. Before the tree goes up and the calendar fills, it helps to clear out the things that are obviously taking up space.

You don’t have to do a full-house cleanout right now. Just grab a trash bag and start with these ten things that make your house feel more cluttered and less ready for Christmas than it has to be.

1. Broken and Burnt-Out Christmas Lights

If you have tangled strands that have been half-dead for three years, this is the year to stop packing them back into the tote. Broken lights, cracked wires, and mystery strands you “might fix someday” are doing nothing but taking up space.

Test each strand once. If they don’t light up easily or large sections are dead, toss them. Label the working ones and store them neatly. It’s better to have a smaller stash of lights that actually work than a bin that makes you frustrated every December.

2. Chipped Mugs and Cracked Holiday Dishes

Christmas coffee, cocoa, and desserts feel less special when you’re serving them in chipped mugs and plates with hairline cracks. Those damaged pieces also aren’t safe long-term if they’re cracked or the glaze is wearing off.

Pull out your everyday and holiday dishes and do a quick check. If you keep skipping a mug because it’s chipped or you’re hiding a cracked platter under a towel, it’s time to let it go. Free up the cabinet space for pieces you actually like using.

3. Stained Tablecloths and Napkins You’re Embarrassed To Use

If the Christmas tablecloth has permanent gravy stains or the cloth napkins are yellowed beyond saving, you’re not going to feel great laying them out for family or guests. You’ll either stress over it or avoid using them altogether.

Check your linens now. If washing them with stain remover doesn’t help, toss or cut them up for rags. Make a note of what you actually need—maybe one good neutral tablecloth and a set of napkins—so you’re ready when you see a good deal.

4. Tired Throw Pillows That Have Lost Their Shape

Flat, lumpy, or stained pillows on the couch can make the whole room look a little worn out, no matter how pretty your tree is. If the covers are stained or the inserts are beyond fluffing, you’re allowed to admit they’ve done their time.

Decide which pillows are worth saving with a new cover and which ones need to go in the trash. Clearing out the bulky, tired ones makes room for a couple of fresh covers that feel more pulled together for Christmas gatherings.

5. Ratty Blankets and Throws No One Reaches For

We all have that one blanket that’s scratchy, pilled, or weirdly stretched out. It gets washed and folded but never actually used because everyone skips over it. If you wouldn’t want to hand it to a guest on the couch, that’s a sign.

Keep the blankets that are soft, warm, and in good shape. Toss the ones that feel rough, have big snags, or smell off even after washing. Fewer, nicer blankets instantly make your living room or guest room feel more inviting.

6. Old Candles That Don’t Smell or Burn Well

Half-burned candles that tunneled down the middle or lost their scent are just clutter at this point. They’re taking up space on shelves, mantels, and under the sink while you keep reaching for the same one good candle.

Gather all your candles in one spot. Light each one quickly. If the wick is buried, it smells like nothing, or the scent makes you wrinkle your nose, let it go. Keep a small set of candles that actually make the house smell good for company and quiet evenings.

7. Expired Snacks and Baking Ingredients

Christmas baking and holiday snacks are hard enough without discovering your chocolate chips taste odd or your nuts went stale two years ago. Expired food takes up pantry space and can ruin a recipe when you need it to work.

Check dates on baking supplies, nuts, sprinkles, snacks, and mixes. Toss anything rancid, stale, or long expired. Wipe the shelves while you’re in there. You’ll walk away with a clearer picture of what you actually have before the baking marathon begins.

8. Kids’ Broken Toys and Puzzle Pieces With Missing Parts

The broken truck with one wheel, the puzzle missing five pieces, and the toy that no longer works even with new batteries are not doing your kids any favors. They just make cleanup harder and frustrate everyone.

Before new toys show up at Christmas, quietly go through the playroom or toy bins. Toss the broken, incomplete, and totally ignored things. You’re not being mean—you’re making it easier for your kids to enjoy what they have and what’s coming.

9. Old Gift Bags, Boxes, and Tissue That Look Rough

Crumpled gift bags, ripped boxes, and tissue paper that’s been reused to death can make even a thoughtful gift look sloppy. If you wouldn’t use it to wrap a present for someone you care about, it doesn’t need to live in your closet.

Go through your wrapping stash and be honest. Recycle anything bent, stained, or torn. Keep sturdy boxes, clean tissue, and a small variety of bags. It’s a quick project that makes wrapping smoother and less stressful this year.

10. Random Decor You Put Out “Because You Have It”

We all have a few holiday pieces we don’t really like but keep putting out because they’re there. If it doesn’t fit your style anymore, you don’t love it, or you’re only putting it out out of guilt, it’s okay to let it go.

Pick a box and fill it with decor that doesn’t feel like you anymore—especially if you always tuck it in last-minute spots you don’t care about. Donate what’s still in good shape. You’ll have fewer totes to dig through and more room for pieces that actually make you happy.