5 Ways to Keep Your Home Tidy Through the Holidays
The holidays bring joy, warmth, and lots of memories… but they also bring clutter, guests, and nonstop activity. Between shopping bags, gift wrapping, cooking, and hosting, your home can go from festive to chaotic fast. The good news? Keeping things tidy doesn’t have to be stressful. With a few simple habits, you can maintain a calm, cozy space that feels good to come home to, even during the busiest season of the year.
Here are five practical ways to keep your home tidy through the holidays:
1. Start With a Pre-Holiday Reset
Before the holiday rush hits, give your home a quick reset. This doesn’t have to be a full “deep clean.” Focus on the essentials:
Clear surfaces
Declutter high-traffic areas
Toss or donate items you don’t need
Do a quick sweep of the living room, kitchen, and entryway
A clean baseline helps you stay ahead of holiday clutter, so small messes don’t spiral.
2. Create Drop Zones for Daily Chaos
During the holidays, random items pile up fast — mail, gift bags, scarves, kids’ toys, deliveries, holiday cards.
Designate small “drop zones” so clutter has somewhere to go without taking over your home. Ideas include:
A basket near the door for hats/gloves
A tray for keys, mail, and packages
A bin for incoming holiday gifts
A wrapping station with everything in one place
These tiny systems keep everyday messes contained.
3. Implement the 10-Minute Tidy Routine
The holidays are busy, so long cleaning sessions may not be realistic. Instead, do short, focused resets.
Set a timer for 10 minutes once or twice a day and tidy just the main areas — living room, kitchen counters, dishes, and trash.
You’ll be surprised how much gets done in such a small window, and your home will always feel “holiday-ready” for surprise guests.
4. Clean as You Cook (Your Future Self Will Thank You)
Holiday cooking is fun… until you look back at a mountain of pots and pans.
Make this your rule for the season: no cooking without cleaning along the way.
Put ingredients away as you use them
Rinse dishes immediately
Wipe spills quickly
Load the dishwasher throughout the process
By the time dinner is ready, your kitchen still feels manageable.
5. Keep Guest Spaces Simple and Intentional
If you’re hosting, simplify the guest areas so they stay clean with minimal effort.
Clear nightstands
Add a basket for towels
Use fresh sheets and keep a blanket nearby
Remove unnecessary decor that collects dust or takes up space
A clean, uncluttered room feels welcoming — and it’s easier to maintain during multiple visits or back-to-back gatherings.