7 Essential Items to Declutter Before Thanksgiving

The holiday season is nearly here, with Thanksgiving marking the official start. From there, the festivities take off—sometimes chaotic, but always exciting—leading up to New Year’s Day. Preparing your home in advance will help minimize stress and ensure it’s ready for the upcoming celebrations.

“I truly enjoy decluttering before the holiday season,” shares Carly Adams, a professional organizer and founder of Tidy Revival. “I believe the best time to tidy up and organize the spaces where you’ll be hosting guests is before the holiday rush sets in. It’s also the perfect opportunity to reassess whether your seasonal decorations still bring joy or if they’re merely out of habit.”

To simplify your holiday preparation, we’ve curated a list of things to declutter before Thanksgiving.

Holiday Serving Dishes

Take inventory of all your serving dishes, including trays, platters, bowls, flatware, and utensils meant for holiday gatherings or hosting occasions.

“Get rid of any old, cracked, or chipped pieces that no longer bring you joy, and see if anything needs a little polishing,” advises Wendy Trunz, partner and lead organizer at Jane's Addiction Organization. “For those holiday-only trays, platters, and bowls, you can even consider labeling them with the dish they'll hold.”

This gives you a chance to check if anything needs replacing, ensures all your items are ready for serving, and may even inspire your menu planning.

Table Decorations 

Likewise, bring out your festive table decorations, such as linens, centerpieces, and decorative items. 

“Remove any outdated, damaged, or worn-out decor, and assess what you currently own and what’s still needed,” advises Trunz. “Inspect your linens—table runners, cloths, placemats, and napkins—and ensure they’re clean and neatly pressed. Discard stained linens and make time to have your cherished ones professionally laundered.”

Prior to Thanksgiving, either hang or iron your tablecloths to smooth out any wrinkles.

Guest Restrooms 

Without a doubt, your guests will need access to the restroom during a lovely event at your home. Make sure to tidy up this area, remove any clutter, and pay attention to the finer details to ensure it shines.

“Begin by clearing out your medicine cabinet or vanity—an area that's both easy for guests to access and potentially dangerous if children find medications,” advises organizational expert Jane Stoller, author of Decluttering for Dummies. “Dispose of expired medications, toiletries, and cosmetics, and organize duplicate items or products you no longer use.”

Also, double-check that essentials like soap, extra toilet paper, and hand towels are readily available. Stoller also suggests that this is a great time to evaluate your towels. If they’re starting to look worn or frayed, consider replacing them before the holiday season and donating your old towels to animal shelters.

Your Wardrobe

While it may seem unusual to focus on your wardrobe when decluttering before Thanksgiving, the holidays provide ample opportunities to dress up. Plus, the changing season is an ideal time to reassess your clothing.

Take some time to evaluate which summer pieces you actually wore and which fall and winter essentials you're eager to wear. Any items you felt indifferent about can be donated,” suggests Adams. “Decluttering before the holidays also frees up space for any gaps in your wardrobe that you may want to fill during the holiday sales or with gifts you might receive this year.”

Entryway and Closet 

Your entryway is the first thing guests see when they arrive, so it’s worth giving this space a quick check-up.

“Clear out the closet or space and go through everything together as a family,” Trunz advises. “Donate old coats or ones that no longer fit. Don't forget to dig through the bottom of the closet for shoes, boots, sports equipment, or any other items that don't belong and make sure they're returned to their rightful places.”

Other ways to tidy up this area include using matching hangers, adding baskets or bins for accessories like hats, gloves, and scarves, and setting up hooks or a coat rack to organize everything more efficiently.

Home Office

As remote work becomes more common, many of us now find ourselves working from home, meaning your home office might be part of your daily routine. If this area is visible to guests, it’s a good idea to take a moment to tidy up. Clear off any clutter from the desk, organize the drawers, and freshen up the space.

This is also a great time to manage your digital clutter, as suggested by Stoller. Although it’s invisible to others, digital clutter can overwhelm your focus and mental space, which may affect your enjoyment of the holiday season.

Children’s Bedrooms and Playroom 

Kids tend to be more interested in having fun than in adult conversations, so ensure they have a space to enjoy their time. Take the opportunity to declutter your children’s bedrooms or playrooms and evaluate the toy collection as well.

“The stress of dealing with the influx of new toys during the holiday season is a common concern for my clients,” says Adams. “This is why decluttering before the festivities begins can make a big difference. You can clear out toys that your kids have outgrown or get rid of broken items.”

Once the clutter is gone, you’ll have plenty of room for those holiday gifts!