8 Ways to Stay Organized and Stress-Free on Christmas Day

This post may contain affiliate links. See my disclosure statement for details. 

Discover 10 practical tips for Christmas organization to keep your home tidy, less stressful, and joyful on Christmas Day. From managing gift wrap clutter to keeping the kitchen running smoothly, these easy tips will help you enjoy the holiday chaos-free

Christmas Day is one of the most beautiful, holy days of the year. But it can also feel a little overwhelming with all the gifts, meals, and festivities happening at once. Between keeping the kitchen tidy, managing gift wrap clutter and toys, and ensuring everyone is happy and engaged, the chaos can quickly steal the season’s joy.

The good news? A little planning and a few simple strategies can make all the difference. With some easy organization tips, you can stay on top of the day’s activities and enjoy the moments that truly matter.

The key is letting go if the idea of perfection. Strive for tidy and good-enough organization! You can enjoy the day and family and have a tidy or somewhat tidy home with these tips and strategies. From creating a calm space to involving the whole family, these practical ideas will help you keep Christmas Day running smoothly and as stress-free as this big day can be.

Here are 10 easy, smart, and practical ways to stay organized and make this Christmas Day your most joyful yet!

Make Your Bed

Christmas Day is a BIG day, whether you’re hosting family or heading to someone else’s home. It’s likely to be busy, a bit chaotic, and wonderfully full of activity. But in the midst of all the excitement, starting your day by making your bed can set a positive tone and help you stay organized.

Here’s why this simple task matters so much:

• A Sense of Accomplishment: Making your bed first thing in the morning gives you an immediate sense of completing a task. It’s a small win that sets the tone for a productive and organized day ahead.
• The Power of Calm: On a day as busy as Christmas, having one tidy space to escape to for a few quiet moments can make all the difference.
• Encourages Organization: Starting the day with an organized bed puts you in the mindset to keep the rest of your home (and day) running smoothly. It’s a small act that often inspires a chain reaction of tidiness.
• A Welcome Home Treat: If you’ll be out all day, coming home to a neatly made bed is a real treat to come home to.

So, whether you’re prepping for guests or rushing out the door to celebrate elsewhere, take a couple of minutes to make your bed. It’s a quick, simple way to start the day feeling grounded and ready for whatever the holiday brings. Plus, at the end of a long and joyful day, you’ll have a cozy and inviting place to relax!

I highly recommend the book Make Your Bed… little things that can change your life and maybe change the world, to read in the New Year.

Get Everyone Involved

Christmas Day is a time for togetherness, and that includes more than just enjoying the festivities. It’s also about sharing the responsibilities. It’s easy to fall into the trap of trying to do everything yourself, especially if you’re a planner by nature. I often catch myself thinking, “I’ll just take care of this quickly so no one else has to.” But over the years, I’ve learned a valuable truth: many hands make light work.

Not only does letting others pitch in lighten your load, but it also adds to the joy of the day. Tasks like clearing plates, managing gift wrap, or even prepping a quick snack can feel less like chores and more like part of the holiday fun when everyone is involved. Plus, most people genuinely enjoy being helpful amidst the hustle and bustle of Christmas because it makes them feel like they’re part of creating the magic, too!

Gift Wrap Clutter Control

Gift wrap clutter is one of those sneaky things that can turn your Christmas Day into a paper-strewn mess. While we all want the joy and excitement of opening presents to flow freely, no one wants to feel like they’re stepping over a mountain of torn paper, ribbons, and boxes. Keeping the space tidy helps everyone enjoy the moment and makes your home a welcoming spot for gathering.

Over the years, my sister and I have perfected a simple system to keep gift-opening both fun and organized, and it’s become a tradition that our family looks forward to each year.

Here’s what works for us:

• Prep Ahead of Time: On Christmas Eve, I set up a Gift Wrap Control Kit. It’s nothing fancy, just an Amazon box with three large plastic trash bags and two pairs of scissors. Having these tools ready means we can quickly manage the mess as it happens.
• Make It a Game: On Christmas morning, wadding up used wrapping paper and tossing it into the garbage bag becomes a fun game for the grandchildren. It’s amazing how quickly the floor clears when it feels like play! All used paper is put in the trash bag after unwrapping each gift.
• Save the Ribbons: In our family, we use real ribbons to make pretty bows and save them from year to year. As gifts are opened, I roll up the ribbons and place them in the box from our kit. Each family takes home the ribbons from their presents to use next year. It’s always fun to see beautiful ribbons from years past reappear on gifts in new ways!

With this simple system, we keep our living room clean and clutter-free while still embracing all the joy and excitement of Christmas morning. Give it a try. You might find it becomes a tradition your family loves, too!

Do you have any tips for handling gift-wrapping clutter?

Corral The Toys

With six young grandchildren, the toy situation on Christmas Day can quickly get overwhelming. Between the excitement of unwrapping presents and the sheer volume of new gifts, like Legos (a current favorite of our three grandsons), there are plenty of little pieces and lots of potential for clutter. While keeping things tidy might feel like a challenge, a bit of strategy and a good dose of adult supervision can go a long way in maintaining order and making sure everyone has fun.

Here are some strategies we try to use (emphasis on try) to keep the toys from taking over:

1. Designate a Separate Space for Each Child’s Toys
   • Assign each child’s toys a specific area. It could be a corner of the room, a large basket, or a spot near where they’re sitting. This helps prevent toys from getting mixed up or lost and makes cleanup easier.
2. Play with One Toy at a Time
   • Encourage children to enjoy one toy before moving on to the next. This keeps the space less cluttered and allows them to fully appreciate each gift instead of getting overwhelmed by all of them at once.
3. Put Toys Away Before Taking Out Another
   • Establish a simple rule: before moving on to the next toy or activity, the current one should be put away. This might mean packing Legos or a game back into their box.
4. Provide Plenty of Adult Supervision
   • Success with these strategies requires some adult supervision, especially if kids are young, like mine. Reminding them of the rules and help them stay on track.

Clutter Free Gift Displays

Grownups, just like kids, can benefit from having a designated area for their gifts on Christmas Day. Without some organization, it’s easy for gifts to scatter throughout the living room, creating clutter and making it hard to get around. Over the years, we’ve found a simple solution that works beautifully for our family, and it’s become a tradition everyone loves.

Keep Gifts Nearby While Unwrapping: As each person opens their gifts, they keep them in a small pile next to where they’re sitting. This way, gifts stay contained during the excitement of the moment and prevents items from getting lost in the shuffle.

Designate Piles Around the Tree: Once all the presents are opened, we take a few minutes to organize the gifts into designated piles around the Christmas tree. Each family member has their own spot, making it easy to keep everything together.

Stress-Free Cleanup: With gifts neatly organized, our living spaces stay open and clutter-free, allowing us to enjoy the rest of the day without tripping over wrapping paper or scattered presents.

No Last-Minute Searches: When it’s time for everyone to head home, there’s no frantic searching for missing items. Everything is in one place, making the transition smooth and hassle-free.

Keep Your Kitchen Organized

The kitchen is the heart of the home, especially on Christmas Day. With all the prepping, feeding a crowd, and cleaning up, it’s a space that can quickly feel chaotic. That’s why I make it a priority to keep our kitchen running like a well-oiled machine.

Here are some ways to keep the kitchen organized and enjoyable:

• Prep Ahead of Time: Streamline your meals by doing as much prep work as possible before Christmas Day. This cuts down on stress and allows you to focus on enjoying the festivities.
• Assign Kitchen Roles: Get everyone involved! My husband takes charge of the sink, my mom clears the table, and my daughter, who’s a fabulous cook, helps with the Christmas dishes. Having assigned tasks keeps things efficient and fun.
• Set a Festive Vibe: No one wants to feel stuck in the kitchen all day, but it can be a great place to gather when the atmosphere is cheerful. Turn on Christmas music, sip on hot cocoa, or share a few laughs while you work together.
• Clean as You Go: Encourage everyone to tidy up as they finish their tasks. A quick wipe of the counters or loading the dishwasher throughout the day helps keep the kitchen functional and clutter-free.

With a little planning and teamwork, the kitchen can stay organized and even become one of the most joyful spots in the house on Christmas Day!

How To Feed A Hungry Crowd At Christmas will give you lots of ideas and easy-to-do strategies.

Enjoy A Change Of Scenery

One of the easiest ways to keep things organized and stress-free on Christmas Day is to head outside. Not only does it give your home a little break from the wear and tear of all the holiday activity, but it also gets everyone moving and helps burn off some of that kid energy!

In our family, we love taking a walk before dinner. It’s a simple way to break up the day, enjoy some fresh air, and let the kids run around or try out their new toys, like a football or pedal cart.

Whether it’s a brisk stroll, a quick game in the yard, or simply watching the kids enjoy their new gifts outdoors, a change of scenery can make the day feel more balanced and enjoyable for everyone.

Christmas Evening Reset

After a busy and joyful Christmas Day, taking 15-20 minutes in the evening to do a quick reset can work wonders for your home and your peace of mind. No deep cleaning required! Just a little tidying up to restore some order after the festivities.

With six little children running around, you’d be amazed at what I can find! Like baby Jesus in the cat food bowl, or a half eaten cheese stick under the tree! I usually get a big giggle from that and realize that sooner than I want, those little ones will grow up!

Our family is great about helping out before they leave, but I like to take a few extra moments to:

• Fluff the pillows and fold throw blankets.
• Put dishes in the dishwasher.
• Gather stray items and return them to their places.
• Straighten up high-traffic areas like the living room or kitchen.

This simple reset leaves your home feeling tidy and calm, making it easier to relax and enjoy the rest of the evening. Whether you’re curling up with a new book or sitting by the Christmas tree to admire its glow, a little end-of-day tidying creates the perfect backdrop for unwinding.

I hope these ideas and tips for Christmas organization inspire and help you this holiday season! Many of these strategies might already be familiar, but my wish is that this post serves as a gentle reminder to keep Christmas Day joyful, festive, and beautifully organized. Enjoy every special moment, friend!

Frequently Asked Questions

Merry Christmas, friends!