Back to Web Poll Results Index Web Poll Results

What are the best ways to

tackle post-holiday clean-

up and organizing?

by Maria Gracia Published on January 1, 2025 The holiday season brings joy, warmth, and festive decor—but once the celebrations end, it's time to tackle the post-holiday clean-up and organizing. From pacing yourself over time to embracing Little Christmas as the cut-off point, everyone has their unique approach. We asked our readers how they handle it, and their responses might inspire you to take on this yearly task with ease and efficiency. Join our newsletter to be notified when new content is added to our website. In a recent GON Reader Poll, we posed the question, “How do you tackle post-holiday clean-up and organizing?” The results show just how varied approaches can be: 35% pace themselves by putting things away little by little throughout the season, 27% make sure everything is cleared by January 6th (Little Christmas), 17% have it all packed away and organized by New Year’s Day, and 16% shared other methods. Additionally, 2% keep their homes simple and clutter-free year-round with no holiday decor, while 2% admit their holiday decorations might still be visible in July. Lastly, 1% embrace the holiday spirit a bit longer, starting their organizing process in February. 35% I pace myself, putting things away little by little throughout 27% Everything is put away by January 6th (Little Christmas) 17% Everything is packed away and organized by New Year’s Day! 16% Other 2% No holiday decor here! I keep things simple and clutter-free year-round 2% I'll have to admit...you may still see some of my holiday stuff in July! 1% I enjoy the holiday stuff a bit longer and start organizing in February Here are a whole bunch of personal reader comments in response to this poll… • I take everything down and it’s put away the day after Christmas. We leave for Florida for 3 months and I don’t want to come home in April to Christmas decor • Each year, l scale down and only keep precious things which can be packed away efficiently and quickly by the end of Christmas • Sometime in January, the real holiday things are put away. I keep snow decorations and my blue and silver mantle garland (lit with blue lights) around well into March. Unless the spring holidays come early! • If I had my way, decorating would be done on Christmas Eve and taken down the first Saturday after Boxing Day • Going away this year so very limited decorating. Will put away after returning, but before mid January • Sometimes right after Christmas and other times into January • I decorate for winter, so that stays up until March. Greens and snowflakes all season with red berries in December added • It's cold and dark, so it's nice to keep up some Christmas lighting and red decor items until Valentine's Day • January 6th. I start and normally by the 7th, everything is put away. • We celebrate Christmas on January 6th, so the decorations and atmosphere linger a few weeks into the month. It's nice to not end it all so abruptly • My family likes to enjoy holiday decor through New Year's. Afterward, we dedicate one day in January to put everything away • Depending on what also needs done • Mostly done by January 6. But, I clean as I put things away, so I allow a few days for that • When the family comes to my house for Christmas, the decorations stay up until they leave. Then they all come down in one day. If no one is coming for Christmas, I don't decorate • I wait until after the first January Saturday as both of my sons and families are here for our whole family gathering. So that Sunday I can put the house back together. I do less now than I used to • Everything packed at once - first weekend AFTER January 6 (the 12th day of Christmas) • Cleaning bits as I go around. Also able to identify tasks for the future eg touch up paint, spot clean a mark • Christmas gifts and wrapping station all away immediately. Christmas tree and decorations away New Years. Nativity away after Epiphany/Little Christmas • I like to enjoy the season a bit longer, until approx mid January • Limited holiday decor in the last 4 years. So a couple of spots decorated. We also have a family gathering the first Saturday in January (as long as that isn't New Year's Eve or Day). So my decorations get packed up that next day. • Everything is put away by the day after New Years! Back to Web Poll Results Index