10×10 Decluttering Challenge for a Peaceful Advent Season

In this decluttering challenge for advent I will walk you through an easy way to declutter 100 items from your home in just 10 days to be more peaceful this Christmas season.

graphic of simple modern designed 10 x 10 grid printable for decluttering and an image of a mirror on a side table with free printable for a peaceful advent

It is nearly time to take out the Christmas decorations (ok some of us already have!) and I am in the mood for a last-minute home purge and clean!

The Joy of Decluttering Challenges

Christmas joy is nearly upon us. As I am writing this, there are only 6 short weeks until Christmas. With Christmas comes lots of extra home decor, toys and baking. There is a lot to be done, and families want to maximize their quality time and minimize stress.

Many homemakers I know make a concerted effort to get Christmas shopping, baking and planning done in advance of the season so they can spend more time relaxing and enjoying this quality time with their families.

In an effort to do so myself, I have decided to do a quick and easy declutter of my home before the Christmas decor and gifts come into the space. It will give me an opportunity to check a few extra deep cleaning spots off my list, too.

And best of all, my house will be 100 items lighter before Advent and Christmas!

If you are new here, welcome! I’m a homeschool, homebirth, homemade mom of 5 boys. Check out my about page to meet me and my family.

What is Clutter?

Clutter is defined as

clutter: noun. (a lot of objects in) a state of being untidy.
Cambridge Dictionary

I think clutter can be a lot of things, physical and mental! In this challenge we will be focusing on physical clutter. But, it is a good time of year to do a brain dump and declutter your head space, too!

Why Should I Do a Decluttering Challenge for Advent?

Research shows that clutter our lives has a negative impact on mental health. As we head into Advent, we want to prepare our hearts and minds as well as our homes for the coming of our Saviour. In the traditional Advent carol, People Look East, we sing

People, look east. The time is near
Of the crowning of the year.
Make your house fair as you are able,
Trim the hearth and set the table.
People, look east and sing today:
Love, the guest, is on the way.
Words and Music: Eleanor Farjeon (1881-1965), 1928

As moms, hosts and homemakers it can be challenging to enter into the Christmas spirit while we are so busy “stuff” managing. So why not have 100 fewer items to manage?

As we declutter over the next two weeks we are aiming to have less stress over the holidays and making space for more joy, peace and patience. And we will be able to do it Monday to Friday (or whatever days work for you!). In just 5 days a week and 10 items a day. Simple, manageable but a BIG impact. 100 fewer items in your home before Advent!

What Should I Declutter for Advent?

This challenge is designed to remove some of our surface-level clutter. This is the stuff that will be in the way this Advent and Christmas season as we decorate, bake, craft, host and play with our kids. Be sure to get your free printable below to keep you organized and motivated as you declutter!

10x10 decluttering challenge monday to friday areas of the home to declutter

How to Declutter

There is no wrong way to declutter your space, but this challenge is designed to take very little time and energy in an already busy time of year.

Now that I am an adult, I am not sure of a time of year that isn’t busy, as a matter of fact, so this form of simple surface-level decluttering could work anytime!

Decluttering Challenge for Advent Steps:

If you don’t have a routine of how you declutter, feel free to borrow mine! This is how I usually declutter a space.

Dispose of garbage
Put away stuff to keep that has a home
Select and box up donation items
Identify homeless items that are causing clutter problems – rehome if possible!
If I have time I also do a quick clean wipe down of the area too!

As you look at each space on the checklist, first pick up and dispose of any garbage that may be in the space. Next, put away anything that doesn’t belong there and has an easy home. Then see if there are any items that need to be donated. Finally, make note of anything that needs a permanent home but doesn’t have one yet.

Any garbage or donate items count towards your 10 items on the 10 by 10 decluttering challenge chart! Just check off the little boxes on your free printable (download below!) so you can keep track as your get to 100 items!

If you don’t declutter 10 items one day, you can always go back and fill in the extra items in a space that has more clutter later.

Each home is unique and your clutter and spaces will reflect that. Feel free to substitute in different spaces as needed!

Declutter Fall Items for Advent

Since this is a pre-Advent declutter, be sure to remove any arts and crafts projects from fall or autumn decor items as you go! Before you know it you will be decorating for Advent and Christmas!

Your 10×10 Decluttering Challenge Checklist

Here is your decluttering checklist!

Kindling Wild Community Decluttering Together

You are invited to join us on the journey of this decluttering challenge for Advent on my private Facebook group, the Kindling Wild Community! I will be posting reminders, inspirations and my Before & Afters there and you are welcome to do so as well (this is real life my friends!). If you want in on the nitty-gritty, come join us!

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