7 Things to Put Away Before Christmas If You Want Your House to Feel Calm

Christmas adds a lot of extra stuff to the house—decor, gifts, people, food, Amazon boxes. If you don’t move anything out before all of that moves in, the whole place starts feeling cramped and noisy fast. The easiest way to make the season feel calmer is to clear a little space on purpose before the totes ever come out.

You don’t have to do a full clean-out. Just get a few of these things out of the way and your Christmas stuff will have room to breathe instead of fighting with everyday life.

1. Extra throw pillows and blankets you don’t love

If your living room already has six pillows on the sofa and three throws draped everywhere, adding Christmas pillows on top just makes it feel messy. People end up tossing them on the floor to sit down.

Before you bring out anything seasonal, pull the worn, flat, or “meh” pillows and blankets. Keep your best basics, then add a couple of winter or Christmas ones. The room still feels cozy, but not like it’s drowning in fabric.

2. Everyday knickknacks and small decor

Candles, little signs, vases, framed photos—those fill shelves and tables before a single ornament shows up. If you leave them out, you’ll end up decorating around them and everything blends into one visual blur.

Grab a tote or box and give your regular decor a break. Clear off the mantel, coffee table, and console tops first, then layer Christmas decor back in. It’s a simple swap that keeps the house from feeling like a flea market.

3. Off-season shoes and jackets

The entry already works hard. Add winter coats, boots, and guests’ stuff on top of out-of-season shoes and light jackets, and it’ll look crowded the entire month. That clutter hits you in the face every time you step inside.

Pull anything you’re not wearing right now—sandals, thin jackets, random pairs no one grabs—and move them to a closet or bin. You free up hooks and floor space so heavier winter gear has somewhere to live.

4. Bulky kids’ toys from common areas

The big plastic kitchen, the overflowing toy bin, the ride-on car parked by the tree—those eat space fast. They’re fine in day-to-day life, but once the house fills up with people and decor, they make rooms feel chaotic.

Choose a few “living room” toys and move the rest to bedrooms or a playroom for December. You’re not banning fun, just making sure adults can walk through and guests don’t trip over a dump truck on their way to the tree.

5. Extra side tables and random chairs

Side tables, stools, and that one extra chair you stuck in the corner all become clutter once the tree is up and people are trying to move around. They collect junk, block paths, and make the room feel smaller.

Walk through the living and dining areas and ask, “What piece do we barely use?” Pull one or two things to a bedroom or garage for the month. You’ll gain breathing room without losing actual function.

6. Countertop decor you don’t notice anymore

Crocks of utensils, canisters, tiered trays, little signs, permanent “displays”—it all eats prep space. When you layer Christmas mugs and hot chocolate setups on top, the kitchen starts feeling packed even before you cook.

Do a quick sweep: clear one main counter and the island, and choose only a couple of everyday pieces to stay. Then add your Christmas touches. Cooking and baking will feel less cramped, and cleanup will go a lot faster.

7. Out-of-season blankets, pillows, and decor from bedrooms

Bedrooms quietly collect extra stuff—throw pillows, heavy quilts, decorative blankets, fall decor you never put away. When Christmas hits, you’re adding more layers on top: winter sheets, extra blankets, possible Christmas touches.

Strip out anything that doesn’t serve you right now. Fold and store lighter bedding, extra decor pillows, and out-of-season touches. Your bedroom will feel calmer, and you’ll actually have room if you want to add a wreath or a small tree without feeling buried.