Declutter Your Christmas To-Do List in 20 Minutes
If the holidays feel overwhelming before they begin, let’s slow things down- together.
Every year, the to-dos, the gifts, the commitments, and the pressure pile up… and suddenly the season that’s supposed to feel magical feels more like a full-time job.
Let’s fix that.
Here’s a simple, quick, gentle 20-minute system to declutter your Christmas list so you can breathe again and actually enjoy the season you’re working so hard to make special.
STEP ONE: The Brain Dump
Let’s keep this super simple.
Set a timer for 5 minutes and write out or add a note to your phone, and list every single thing you think you need to do to prepare for Christmas.
Include gifts, events, decorating, things you “should” do, things you forgot last year, things you don’t want to do but somehow feel like you have to.
No organizing. No judging. Just a messy, honest brain dump.
Sometimes the actual overwhelm comes from carrying every single Christmas task- so let’s get it all out.
STEP TWO: The Sorted List
Now take that list and sort everything into 3 simple categories.
MUST-DO
These are the things that matter to YOU, the holiday must-dos you choose because they bring you joy, not out of guilt or old traditions you don’t even love.
Once you identify what you want to keep this Christmas, add it to your calendar. (See below on tips for scheduling all the things).
For me, taking the kids to get their Christmas picture is a true must-do- and so is buying the matching holiday frame. Not because it’s a tradition I feel obligated to continue, but because we genuinely love pulling out those frames each year. It brings us so much joy to display those photos and enjoy them all season long.
With your must-dos set, you can review the rest of your list and decide which items fall into the nice-to-do bucket.
NICE-TO-DO
These are the things that would be lovely if you can squeeze them in, but they don’t make or break your holiday. Remember, you don’t have to take them on alone. If you have a support system, lean on it.
Try texting a friend: “What to do a cookie swap this year? You bake one recipe, I bake one, and we split!” or ask your mom or sister, “If you’re out on Saturday, can you grab the pyjamas I sent you a picture of?”
Sometimes a little help is all you need to make those nice-to-dos feel doable instead of overwhelming.
If asking for help is not an option, try simplifying the task instead of abandoning it altogether. If you’ve always baked a dozen kinds of cookies, choose one or two of your favourites this year. If matching pyjamas feels like too much, go for matching socks instead:)
You still get the joy of the tradition- just in a lighter, more manageable way.
LET-IT-GO
These are the things that drain you, stress you out, or no longer fit the kind of holiday you’re trying to create.
Letting them go is a gift to yourself and your family.
The real freedom comes from communicating clearly and early so you’re not silently stressed or avoiding conversations.
Want to opt out of another gift exchange? Simply say, “I’m trying to simplify the holidays this year, so I won’t be in the work gift exchange - but can’t wait to see everyone’s gifts!”
You are not disappointing anyone; you're modelling healthy boundaries and creating a holiday that feels peaceful rather than pressured.
With your list sorted and the clutter cleared, it’s time to build a holiday schedule that actually works for you.
If you are ready to bring that same clarity and calm to your whole home- beyond the holidays, I can help you simplify, declutter, and create a space that truly works for you. Click the button below to learn more about my services.
STEP THREE: Simplify your Schedule
Once you have brain dumped everything and sorted your list into must-do, nice-to-do, and let-it-go, the last step is to give your December some gentle structure- something that feels calm.
To simplify your schedule, assign each week or a chunk of days to one simple focus. For example, week one is all about decorating- putting up the tree, getting the outdoor decor up.
Week two may be about gifts. Finish your shopping and wrapping, and order anything that is missing. Schedule 1-2 dedicated shopping days in your calendar- even if they’re just 1-hour blocks.
Week three may be all about food and fun, prep or bake and add in a family movie night or light tour in your neighbourhood. Schedule in the days and invite family members to join in to lessen the load and make it an experience rather than another thing you have to do.
With a flexible weekly focus, you’re not trying to wrap gifts, bake cookies, decorate, plan dinner and shop- all within one week. You focus on one type of thing at a time, which feels like instant relief for your brain.
If instant relief for your brain is what you want for your entire home, all year round, I’m here to help! Book your free discovery call today:)
By taking just 20 minutes to brain dump, sort your tasks and create your schedule, you give yourself the gift of a calmer, more intentional Christmas- one where you actually get to enjoy the season instead of just surviving it. Enjoy it!
to calmer spaces,
Andrea