17 Holiday Organization Tips For a Less Stressed Christmas

Inside: 17 easy holiday organization tips to lower stress and increase joy during the Christmas season.

You may be feeling all the excitement that the Christmas season is upon us but also the anxiety over how to manage it all. Keeping it simple and holiday organization is key to reveling in the joy of Christmas without the added stress.

The Christmas season can quickly become hectic and rushed. We are all trying to create special memories for our families, be with friends, and still enjoy the reason for the season. However, making memories takes effort! But there are ways you can slow down the chaos with holiday organization strategies to streamline and simplify your to-do list.

17 Tips for Simple Holiday Organization

Use shoe boxes for ornaments

There is no need to purchase a special ornament box if you don’t have one. Use discarded shoe boxes and tissue paper to wrap ornaments or fragile decor items. You can also use an egg carton for small items. Upcycling at its best!

Large plastic bins for holiday decor

Large plastic bins with lids are the best way to store seasonal goods, especially those awkward-shaped Santas and brush trees. Be sure to use clear, sturdy ones with easy-to-close lids. These bins keep things in place without having assorted decor scattered in different places around your garage or storage area. My personal favorites are these with snap lids.

Wrap lights around cardboard

Avoid tangled Christmas lights by wrapping them around a piece of cardboard. No boxes handy? Use zip ties or place in oversized Zip Locs to keep strands separated. Label bag or cardboard with a Sharpie to indicate length, size, and location (i.e., front porch) for the string of lights.

Reuse the Christmas card box

Ordering Christmas cards this year? Hold onto the box they arrive in for holiday organization when stuffing and addressing your cards. It’s the perfect size for the number of cards you ordered. Then just take the box to the post office for bulk mailing when they are ready.

Save address labels from incoming Christmas cards

Confirm you have current addresses for family and friends by holding on to the return address label from incoming holiday cards. Cut out the label and store it in a plastic baggie or small envelope for future use or to update your address book all at once.

Gift wrapping organization

Get organized for the holidays with a gift wrapping station. If you don’t have a space or area in your home to donate for this (like many of us) keep your supplies organized for wrapping as time allows (without waiting until Christmas Eve).

how to create a gift wrapping station

• Set up a wrapping station with paper, ribbon, tags, scissors and tape. If you don’t have a table or area to keep it up, use a gift wrapping organizer (I use one like this).
• Wrap gifts with a set/theme of three types of paper (a solid and two prints) that complement each to avoid overbuying paper and random rolls.
• Store loose gift tags, ribbons, stickers, etc. in plastic baggies.

Use vertical file folders for catalogs

Holiday catalogs coming in by the boatload? Recycle the ones you don’t want, but store the ones you want to keep for reference in vertical file folders (you can get cheap ones from Dollar General). File folders are handy storage for lots of things. Use them to hold holiday coloring or activity books, cookbooks, library books, art and craft supplies. Having the vertical storage saves more counter space as well!

Keep organizing supplies handy

Keep a steady supply of items that help keep your home and holiday needs organized. You’ll be happy you have this on hand when the need arises and surprised at how often that need may come up during all the holiday shopping, planning, baking, etc.

List of supplies for holiday organization

• Command hanging tools
• Zip Loc baggies of all sizes
• Sharpies for labeling
• Tissue paper for wrapping fragile decor and breakables
• Assorted batteries (this battery organizer is the best)
• Most needed baking supplies: flour, sugar, baking soda, brown sugar, etc.

Trays for corralling items

The holidays always seem to bring more stuff into the home…goodies and treats, school art projects, Christmas cards, holiday catalogs…just to name a few! The MVP of holiday organization (well, just about any organization really 🙂 is trays. Trays in any shape help corral like items to keep them from being scattered and messy on your home’s surfaces.

organization ideas for trays

• Hold Christmas art work, craft, and coloring supplies
• Display a curated decorative arrangement with candles, winter foliage, and a family Christmas photo
• Set up a holiday coffee and tea station by coffemaker
• House all the beautiful Christmas cards you receive

Avoid dish clutter

If you like to use Christmas coffee mugs and /or china, replace everyday sets so your dishware cabinet isn’t super crowded. Store seasonal china in a soft, divided storage case if you don’t have a place to display it. Enjoy those special mugs and china patterns even for everyday use!

Organize your gift ideas digitally

Keep an ongoing gift-idea list on your phone so you can “jot” down ideas on the go. Use Google Keep or the Notes app on your phone where you can also include links to online items so you never forget a brilliant gift idea again.

Amazon provides “wish lists” on your account as an easy way to save and organize items for future purchases. Or you can place an item in your cart and then move it to “save for later” as a way to remember possible gifts. If you decide not to purchase, simply delete it.

Make a list and check it twice

Lists are your friend this time of year. Gift lists, card lists, meal lists, shopping lists, to-do lists. The list goes on (pun intended:)! Writing things down greatly increases your productivity and motivation to get things done (included in the Christmas Planner are several types of printable lists to keep you on track).

Keep shopping receipts and packing slips together

Save receipts and packing slips from your Christmas shopping. Use an envelope, file folder, or plastic baggie to hold this paperwork together. Then you’ll have proof of purchased Christmas gifts if needed for post-holiday returns. Once you know all gifts are being kept toss receipts — no need to keep paper clutter any longer than necessary!

Hold onto those boxes

Likely you are ordering items online and receiving lots of boxed deliveries. Break down and store useful boxes until after the holidays. They can be used for shipping returns, wrapping gifts, or storing holiday decor. Good boxes can be hard to come by! But don’t hold on to them forever — be sure to recycle once you determine they are not needed.

Declutter baking supplies

Be prepared for holiday baking by doing a quick declutter of your baking supplies. Take a look at your dry goods and spices. Throw out those that are expired or spoiled and make a list of what you need. Keep all baking supplies together in one area of the pantry on a lazy susan-style tray or in a large plastic bin.

Keep a few baking boxes on hand

Last-minute guests happen easily during the holidays — as it should! The holidays are an ideal time of year for socializing and being with others. Keep baking mixes on hand for a quick dessert to dish up or to make as last-minute gifts.

Trader Joe’s baking mixes are amazing. While their selection may change year-to-year I also look for the Chocolate Peppermint Loaf and Gingerbread Spice to keep on hand. So easy and good! Bake in no time and serve these sweet treats on a Christmas serving platter or bag a few in holiday treat containers.

Use a holiday planner

Take your holiday organization a step further with a planner dedicated to the season. While you may already have a day planner, it’s incredibly helpful to have one dedicated to holiday organization. The one in the For the Love of Simple shop is an easy-to-use printable Christmas Planner that helps keep track of gifts, cards, meals, and events. Having a space to write down all your holiday needs keeps the season so much more organized.

My hope for you this holiday season is simply that you enjoy it! As moms and busy women, we work hard to make special moments for others. We can certainly still do that, but hopefully, with holiday organization and a focus on simplicity, those special moments can be created without added stress.