How Do I Reset My Home After the Holidays?

After weeks of decorating, cooking, entertaining, and exchanging gifts, your home may need a little attention. Start by putting away your holiday decorations, cleaning up after holiday meals, and getting rid of clutter that accumulated during the season. Then, take a fresh look at your everyday belongings and decide what you actually want to keep. 

Key takeaways 

• Put away holiday decorations and sort them before storing them.  
• Clean holiday linens, decorations, and other seasonal items before packing them away.  
• Deep-clean the areas that got extra use during the holidays, including the kitchen, living room, and guest spaces.  
• Clean out the refrigerator, freezer, and pantry, and get rid of expired food and old leftovers.  
• Take a fresh look at your everyday decor before putting everything back in its usual spot.  
• Use the one-in, one-out rule to keep new gifts from adding to your clutter.  
• Donate, sell, or get rid of belongings you no longer use or enjoy.  
• Move seasonal or infrequently used belongings into storage if you don’t have room for them at home.  
• Use the new year as an opportunity to rethink how you organize frequently used items. 

How do I put away holiday decorations? 

Start by taking down your holiday decorations and sorting them before you put them away. Don’t automatically pack everything back into the same boxes. If something is broken, worn out, or you didn’t enjoy using it this year, decide whether it’s worth keeping. 

Clean decorations before storing them, especially anything that collected dust or food residue during the holidays. Wrap fragile ornaments individually and keep similar decorations together. 

Label each box with what’s inside so you won’t have to open several containers next year to find what you’re looking for. 

What should I do with a real Christmas tree? 

If you have a real Christmas tree, check with your local city or county sanitation, public works, or environmental services department to see if there is a recycling or Christmas tree collection program. Many communities offer designated drop-off locations or curbside pickup after the holidays. 

Remove all ornaments, lights, hooks, and other decorations before getting rid of the tree. Even if you don’t want them anymore, your tree may not be disposed of or recycled if it isn’t just tree and nothing else.  

Don’t leave a dried-out tree inside your home for an extended period because it can become a fire hazard. 

How should I store a fake Christmas tree? 

Remove ornaments and lights, disassemble the tree according to the manufacturer’s instructions, and take the time to clean off your artificial tree before putting it away. Wipe the limbs with a damp cloth to get rid of dust and lint they may have collected over the season. Let them dry and store the pieces in a container or bag that protects them from dust. 

If the original box is damaged or difficult to use, consider replacing it with a sturdier storage container designed for artificial trees. 

How should I deep clean my home after the holidays? 

Once the decorations are down, use the empty surfaces as an opportunity to deep clean. Dust shelves, ceiling fans, light fixtures, and other areas that may have been overlooked during your regular cleaning routine. 

You can also: 

• Wipe down walls and doors 
• Clean baseboards 
• Vacuum under furniture 
• Clean windows and mirrors 
• Dust shelves and cabinets 
• Clean kitchen appliances 
• Wash guest bedding and towels 
• Empty trash cans 
• Clean high-traffic areas 
• Organize closets and cupboards 

You don’t have to tackle the entire house in one day. Work through one room at a time so the cleanup doesn’t become another overwhelming task. 

What should I clean in the kitchen after the holidays? 

The kitchen often needs extra attention after holiday cooking and entertaining. Start with the refrigerator and freezer. Throw away leftovers that have been sitting for several days and check expiration dates on other foods. Be sure to wipe down shelves and drawers while you have less food in the refrigerator. 

Then clean your countertops, cabinets, oven, microwave, and other appliances that got extra use during the holidays. 

Check your pantry and cupboards, too. If you bought specialty ingredients for holiday recipes that you aren’t likely to use again, consider whether you really need to keep them. When in doubt, check the expiration date. Will it last until next year? 

What should I do with holiday linens? 

Wash holiday tablecloths, napkins, kitchen towels, blankets, and your Christmas tree skirt before storing them. Make sure everything is completely dry before packing it away. Moisture trapped in fabric can lead to unpleasant odors and damage while it’s stored. 

Fold linens neatly and keep them together in a labeled container. You can also add a simple list of what’s inside so you know what you have next year. 

What should I do with my everyday decorations? 

Don’t be in a hurry to put all of your everyday decorations back in their usual spots. Take a look at each item and ask yourself whether you still enjoy it or you’ve simply kept it out of habit. If it isn’t sentimental or aesthetically pleasing to you anymore, it may be time to get rid of it. 

You’ll have less clutter and one less thing to dust. 

Also, don’t feel like everything has to go back in the same spot it’s always been. Try switching things up. Moving a lamp, rearranging artwork, or changing what’s displayed on a shelf can make your home feel different without buying anything new. 

What should I do with home decor I’m not sure about? 

If you’re on the fence about some of your decor, try putting it away for a while instead of making an immediate decision. Pack the items you aren’t sure about and put them somewhere out of sight. If you don’t miss them after several months, you may be ready to donate or sell them. 

If you don’t have room to store extra decor at home, a small storage unit can give you somewhere to keep items while you decide what you want to do with them. Public Storage has small “locker” units that are perfect for this type of storage. 

What should I do with holiday gifts? 

The holidays can bring a lot of new belongings into your home, so take some time to find a place for everything. Start by removing gifts from their boxes and packaging. Then, put items where you’ll actually use them instead of leaving them in piles around the house. 

If you received something you already own, don’t need, or don’t have room for, decide whether to return it, exchange it, donate it, or give it to someone else. 

This is also a good time to use the one-in, one-out rule. When something new comes into your home, consider getting rid of something similar that you no longer use. For example, if you received a new sweater, look through your closet for one you no longer wear. A new kitchen gadget could be a reason to get rid of an older one that has been sitting unused in a cabinet. 

How can I organize my home for the new year? 

Once you’ve cleaned and decluttered, think about how you want your home to function during the year. Put frequently used items where they’re easy to reach. Keep similar belongings together and give new gifts a permanent home. If a particular area always becomes cluttered, look at why. You may need to move something, add storage, or get rid of items you aren’t using. 

Don’t try to reorganize your entire house at once. Pick the areas that cause you the most frustration and start there. 

Post-holiday home reset checklist 

Use this checklist to get your home back in order: 

• Take down holiday decorations 
• Sort decorations before storing them 
• Clean and dry decorations before packing them 
• Label holiday storage containers 
• Dispose of or recycle a real Christmas tree 
• Clean and pack an artificial tree 
• Wash holiday tablecloths and linens 
• Clean the refrigerator and freezer 
• Throw away old leftovers 
• Clean the kitchen 
• Dust shelves and ceiling fans 
• Clean walls, doors, and other overlooked areas 
• Wash guest bedding and towels 
• Put new gifts away 
• Return or exchange unwanted gifts 
• Use the one-in, one-out rule 
• Sort everyday decor 
• Donate or sell items you no longer want 
• Move infrequently used belongings into storage 
• Give frequently used items an easy-to-reach home 

FAQs about resetting your home after the holidays 

When should I take down my holiday decorations? 

Take them down when you’re ready to return your home to its normal routine. Many people take down decorations shortly after the holiday, while others leave them up for a little longer. The important part is to avoid putting decorations away while they’re dirty, damp, or damaged. 

How should I clean holiday decorations before storing them? 

Dust decorations and wipe down surfaces when the material allows it. Check fabric items for stains and make sure everything is completely dry before packing it away. Replace or repair damaged decorations before storing them. 

How long can I keep holiday leftovers in the refrigerator? 

Most cooked leftovers should be refrigerated promptly and eaten within a few days. When in doubt, check current food-safety guidance and throw out anything that’s been stored too long or looks or smells questionable. 

What should I do with unwanted Christmas gifts? 

If you received something you don’t need, check whether you can return or exchange it. If that’s not an option, consider giving it to someone else, donating it, or selling it. Try to make a decision before the item becomes another piece of household clutter. 

How do I organize holiday decorations for next year? 

Group decorations by type or room and label each container. Keep frequently used decorations where they’re easy to reach, and store items you rarely need farther back. Taking a quick inventory can also save you from buying duplicates next year. 

What should I do with decor I’m tired of looking at? 

Set it aside for a while rather than immediately throwing it away. If you don’t miss it after several months, you may be ready to donate or sell it. Storage can also give you a place to keep items while you decide whether you still want them.