Simplify Your Homemaking This Christmas + Free Printable Guide

Feeling overwhelmed by clutter but short on time to deal with it? Let’s talk about simple strategies to get your house in order now, so you can focus on what matters most this holiday season.

If you are a homemaker who already feels stretched thin, the thought of adding Christmas decorations, baking goodies, and creating joyful moments might feel overwhelming. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Today I’m sharing ideas on how to simplify your homemaking this Christmas season.

Be sure to download my free printable Holiday Declutter Quick Start Guide and January Reset Checklist at the bottom of the post!

The holiday season is meant to be a time of joy, but for many homemakers, it can also bring a whirlwind of to-dos that feel impossible to keep up with. Between keeping the house in order, managing everyday responsibilities, and trying to create a magical experience for loved ones, it’s easy to feel stretched thin.

However, embracing a simpler approach can bring balance, making it possible to savor the season’s moments while keeping your home feeling warm and welcoming. Let’s explore how to streamline your days, enjoy the holidays, and leave the stress behind.

Here’s how to streamline your homemaking routine, focus on the essentials, and create space in your day for festive fun and the joy of the season—all while saving bigger projects for the new year.

The Daily Essential Homemaking Routine

The key to managing your home during the holidays is prioritizing what truly matters and letting the rest go. Here’s a simple, effective routine to keep your home running smoothly:

Tidy Main Living Areas (15 minutes):
- Focus on the spaces you use most, like the kitchen, living room, and bathroom.
- Spend a few minutes putting things back in their place to create a sense of order.
Dishes & Sink (10-15 minutes):
- Wash dishes or load the dishwasher daily to keep the kitchen functional and inviting.
- A quick wipe of the counters and sink can make the kitchen feel refreshed.
- Go to bed with a tidy kitchen and clean sink. Wipe down the counters, wash pots and pans, and start the dishwasher.
Sweep High-Traffic Areas (5-10 minutes):
- A quick sweep or vacuum keeps crumbs and dirt from piling up, especially if you have holiday visitors. Or, if you have a Roomba like I do, set it to sweep your floors each day.
Make Beds (5 minutes):
- This small step makes bedrooms feel tidier and more peaceful, setting a positive tone for the day.
Laundry (5-10 minutes):
- Do one small load a day—whether washing, drying, or folding—to keep the laundry manageable. Do one load from start to finish.

By focusing on these simple, essential tasks, your home will stay functional and welcoming without adding unnecessary stress.

Weekly Tasks to Keep Your Home in Order

In addition to your daily routine, tackling one focused task each day can help maintain your home without overwhelm:

Monday: Bathrooms
- Wipe down sinks, mirrors, and counters.
- Clean the toilet and shower to keep the bathrooms fresh for your family and guests.
Tuesday: Floors
- Sweep or vacuum high-traffic areas and mop where needed to keep floors looking clean.
Wednesday: Clean the Refrigerator
- Toss expired items and give shelves a quick wipe-down to make room for holiday treats and fresh groceries.
Thursday: Wash Bed Linens and Towels
- Fresh sheets and towels create a cozy, inviting atmosphere during the holidays.
Friday: Dust and Polish Furniture
- A quick dusting and polishing session will leave your home feeling refreshed and ready for festive decorations.

Quick Solutions for Unwanted Clutter

When you’re short on time during the busy holiday season, tackling unwanted clutter can feel like an impossible task. Instead of letting it weigh you down, here’s a practical approach to manage it temporarily and keep your home feeling peaceful:

Designate a “Clutter Zone”
- Choose a bin, basket, or specific area (like a corner of a closet or garage) to temporarily store items you don’t have time to sort.
- Keep it contained so the clutter doesn’t spread.
Use the “Out of Sight, Out of Mind” Method
- Place clutter in opaque bins or boxes and label them by room or type (e.g., “kitchen items,” “toys,” or “clothing”).
- This ensures you’ll know what’s inside when it’s time to deal with it after the holidays.
Set a Future Date to Revisit
- Schedule a day in January or February to sort through your clutter.
- Mark it on your calendar or in your household notebook and treat it as a planned task to ensure it gets done.
Prioritize Donation
- If you know certain items are no longer useful or wanted, place them directly into a donation box.
- Drop the box off at a local donation center when you’re running errands, even if you haven’t sorted through everything else yet.
Communicate with Family Members
- Let your household know where the clutter is being stored and that it’s temporary.
- Encourage them to take responsibility for any items they can sort or put away themselves.

By containing clutter and creating a plan to deal with it later, you can free up your mental space to focus on what truly matters during the holidays: enjoying time with your loved ones and embracing the joy of the season.

Save Big Projects for the New Year

The holiday season isn’t the time to stress about deep cleaning or organizing every inch of your home. Instead, create a “January Reset” list of projects to tackle after the holidays, such as decluttering closets, purging unused items, or reorganizing storage.

Remember: the goal is to create a cozy, welcoming atmosphere, not a picture-perfect house. Let go of perfectionism and focus on what truly matters this season.

Download my Holiday Declutter Quick Start Guide at the bottom of the post!

Making Room for Festive Fun

Once your homemaking routine is streamlined, you’ll have time to enjoy the magic of the season. Here are some ways to prioritize joy:

Plan for Small Joys:
- Dedicate 15-30 minutes a day to a holiday activity, like baking cookies, watching a Christmas movie, or crafting ornaments.
- Involve your family to make it a shared experience.
Simplify Holiday Prep:
- Opt for no-bake desserts or pre-made cookie dough to keep baking stress-free.
- Set up a wrapping station with all your supplies in one place to streamline gift wrapping.
- Use my free printable Holiday Planner to help streamline all of your holiday planning and activities.
Let Go of Extras:
- Skip traditions or activities that feel overwhelming this year, and focus on the ones that bring true joy.
- Make a list of a few meaningful traditions you feel able to manage and focus on those.

Celebrate the 12 Days of Christmas Joy Challenge

To add a little magic to your days, take part in our 12 Days of Christmas Joy Challenge. Each day, focus on a simple activity or tradition that brings joy to you and your loved ones. Whether it’s reading a holiday story, taking a walk to admire Christmas lights, or sharing a cup of cocoa by the fire, these small moments are what make the season special.

You can join the challenge here.

By prioritizing these essential routines and letting go of unnecessary expectations, you can enjoy the holidays without feeling overwhelmed. Your home will still feel welcoming and festive, and you’ll have the time and energy to celebrate what truly matters.

Merry Christmas! May your holiday season be filled with peace, joy, and love!

More Ideas for the Holidays

Free Printable Holiday Declutter Quick Start Guide

The Holiday De-Clutter Guide is your step-by-step solution for managing clutter during the holidays and preparing for a fresh, organized start in the new year.

How to Download

If you’re a member of The Homemaker’s Society, you’ll find your link to download the Holiday Declutter Quick Start Guide below.
Become a member of The Homemaker’s Society. and you’ll get instant access to this and hundreds of other helpful resources for your home as part of your membership.
FREE for non-members too! If you aren’t ready to become a member yet, just fill out the form below and you’ll get the Holiday Declutter Quick Start Guide sent straight to your inbox!
OR, you can purchase the printable Holiday Declutter Guide here!

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