The 10-Day Happier Holidays Challenge
10 days to less chaos and more joy this season
Is it just me, or does the holiday chaos seem to creep in earlier every year? I’ll admit that last year, the holidays kind of snuck up on me. I overcommitted to work, left things to the last minute, stretched myself too thin, and honestly, spent most of December feeling more stressed than joyful.
That’s why I designed this 10-day challenge: to help you (and me!) simplify the season and make room for the things that really matter. Whether it's room to entertain, time to relax, or more breathing space to enjoy the festivities, this challenge is here to help you find more calm and joy this holiday season.
Challenge details
Each task should take 20 minutes or less (please don’t feel like you need to spend more)—perfect for squeezing in between everything else you’ve got going on. By the end, your home will feel calmer, your mind clearer, and you’ll be ready to embrace the holidays with more ease and joy.
The challenge is free for everyone, challenges are outlined below, and we begin tomorrow! Perfect timing to get organized before Thanksgiving for those celebrating in the US.
For those of you who love the satisfaction of checking things off, I’ve put together a handy printable to keep us on track. You can download it at the bottom of the post.
I’ll also be popping into the community chat each day and sharing photos of my progress to keep me accountable. If you want to join the chat, share your own updates, or ask questions along the way, consider upgrading your subscription. We’d love to have you with us!
Challenge assignments
1. Walk your house with a donation bag.
Let’s kick things off with a quick declutter, shall we? Grab a trash bag and take a lap around your home. Fill it with anything you no longer need, use, or love. Stash the bag (or box) in a spot that’s out of the way but where you can easily add more items over the coming days.
2. Clear your countertops & dining table.
Let’s create some breathing room for all the cooking, crafting, and entertaining ahead. Start by clearing off your countertops and dining table. Relocate decorative items like candles and vases and quickly sort through any mail and paper piles. Put away small appliances you don’t use every day and return stray items to their proper places. Swap out your dish rack for a simple dish towel (maybe a festive one!) and finish with a quick wipe-down to leave your cleared-off surfaces looking fresh.
3. Tidy up your entryway.
A calm and inviting entryway sets the tone for your home, especially during the busy holiday season. Take a few minutes to remove excess shoes, bags, and jackets that have piled up. If shoes and winter accessories are scattered around, consider adding some baskets, a mat, or stick-on hooks to help keep things organized. Shake out your floor mat and give the floor a quick vacuum to leave the space feeling neat and welcoming for your family and holiday guests.
4. Write your holiday to-do (& not-do) list.
Grab a pen and paper (or your favorite app) and jot down everything you need or want to tackle before the end of the year—meal prep, holiday cards, gift shopping, wrapping, travel plans, pageant costumes, advent calendars... it can quickly feel like a never-ending list! But getting it all out of your head and onto paper will lighten the mental load and make it easier to stay on track. In a separate column, write down a few things you’ll say no to or let go of for the rest of the year—like attending every holiday event you’re invited to or continuing traditions you don’t truly love. Simplifying feels good and creates more room for what really matters.
5. Make space for new gifts.
Have everyone in your household find 5-10 items they no longer use or love and add them to your donation pile—whether it’s toys, clothes, gadgets, or anything else that’s cluttering up your space. By doing this, you’ll create room for the new things that will soon make their way into your home and give unwanted items a second life.
6. Organize your wrapping supplies.
Take a few minutes to go through your paper, ribbons, bags, and other wrapping supplies. Toss anything that’s damaged, faded, or no longer useful. Make a list of any supplies you need, and organize what you want to keep. (Don’t forget to add scissors and a fresh roll of tape so everything you need is right at your fingertips!) This small step now will save you time later—and might even make wrapping gifts more enjoyable!
7. Prep your holiday gift list.
Today, spend a little time planning the gifts you want to buy for friends and family. Whether you use a simple list on your phone, a spreadsheet (like this: Name | Gift Idea | Price/Budget | Purchase Status), or just a hand-written list in a notebook, planning and tracking your gifts will help you stay organized, avoid impulse buys, and take advantage of early holiday deals. If you need some inspiration, here are 60+ minimalist gift ideas and 50+ experience gift ideas for kids.
8. Declutter your holiday items.
Pull out all of your holiday decorations and separate out your favorites—the items you’re excited to put out and really bring the holiday spirit into your home. Donate any you don’t love or didn’t even pull out last year. Only having decorations you truly love will let them shine brighter this season.
9. Make room for holiday decor.
Now that you’ve downsized your holiday decor, it’s time to pack away your everyday decorations to make room for your favorite seasonal ones—think cozy throw blankets, festive tablecloths, and candles with your favorite holiday scents. Putting away the everyday decor will make room for the special seasonal decorations and help your home feel less cluttered throughout the holidays.
10. Drop off your donations.
The final step! Round up everything you’ve set aside during the challenge and take it to your local donation center. Clearing these items out of your home will leave you feeling accomplished and your space lighter—just in time for the holiday season.
Bonus challenge: Fill your empty boxes.
Every time a package arrives over the next several weeks, put the empty box to good use by filling it with things you no longer need, use, or love. Make this a regular habit throughout the year, and decluttering will become a more manageable, ongoing routine instead of an overwhelming task you only tackle once or twice a year.
Challenge printable
Your turn: Which task are you most excited to tackle?
Up next: By request, I’ll be sharing a behind-the-scenes of everything in my fall/winter capsule next week. Stay tuned!
I love this! Looking so forward to starting the challenge tomorrow!