Marie Kondo Inspired Tips for Enjoying the Holiday Season

The holidays are a time for joy, connection, and celebration—but it can also bring stress and clutter into our lives. If you’re looking to enjoy more peaceful festivities this year, take some advice from Marie Kondo, the tidying queen herself, on how to bring more joy into your life for the holidays.

Imagine Your Perfect Holiday Season

Close your eyes and picture what the holiday season of your dreams look like. What do you see? What do you hear? What do you smell? And overall how do you feel? Before you begin the process of decorating or even tidying up, it is important to have a clear vision in your mind of what you want the season to feel like.

It’s particularly important to do this for the holidays as the busyness of the season makes it easy to become overwhelmed and off track. Visualizing your holiday goals will enable you to have a clear direction and let you stay focused and joyful during times of stress.

Declutter Before You Decorate

Now that you know what you want to get out of the holiday season, you can work on bringing it to life! But before you unpack your holiday decorations, take a moment to declutter your space. 

Ask yourself:

• Which items truly bring me joy?
• Are there any decorations I no longer love or use?

By clearing out old or broken items, you’ll create a clean canvas to showcase the pieces that make the season special to you and your loved ones. 

Assess Your Space

Look at how your home is organized and how you will set things up. You may default to the same decor placements every year which can result in more clutter and disorganization than intended. Be sure to look at your space and decide where and how you want to decorate. Planning is a key to a happy holiday season!

Don’t forget to make use of items that are not specifically holiday-themed too! Vases, candles, and blankets for instance can make a space cozy and festive.

Be Intentional with Gift-Giving

Marie Kondo encourages thoughtfulness when selecting gifts. Instead of focusing on quantity, think about what will truly spark joy for the recipient. Consider experience-based gifts, handmade items, or something meaningful that reflects their personality.

Organize Wrapping Supplies

Wrapping is one area of household supplies that is fastest to feel cluttered! Keep your wrapping station tidy by using boxes or bins to store paper, ribbons, and tags. Marie suggests folding wrapping paper neatly and storing it vertically to save space and make it easy to see what you have.

For a sustainable twist, reuse paper bags or fabric wraps (furoshiki), a Japanese wrapping tradition that combines beauty and eco-friendliness.

Simplify Holiday Traditions

Traditions are meant to bring joy, not stress. Marie recommends revisiting your holiday rituals to ensure they align with your current values and lifestyle.

• Keep traditions that resonate with you and your family.
• Let go of activities that feel like obligations.

Simplifying your calendar allows you to focus on meaningful connections and relaxation.

Create a Joyful Atmosphere

The KonMari philosophy extends well beyond tidying — it’s about curating a joyful space so you can lead your ideal life. Use lights, scents, and music to create a warm, inviting atmosphere. Whether it’s string lights, a favorite holiday playlist, or the smell of cinnamon and pine, small touches can transform your home.

Put Things In Their Place

The holidays can bring an influx of items into your home, from gifts to party leftovers. Marie Kondo suggests ensuring everything has a place to go to avoid feeling overwhelmed.

• Designate a specific spot for new items until you decide where they belong.
• Donate or discard items that no longer serve you to maintain balance.

Reflect on Gratitude

At its heart, the holiday season is about gratitude. Take time to reflect on the people, experiences, and moments that bring you joy. Writing a list of what you are grateful for or sharing your appreciation with loved ones to deepen your sense of connection are great ways to embrace gratitude.

This holiday season, let Marie Kondo’s wisdom guide you to a joyful, intentional, and harmonious celebration. By focusing on what truly matters, you’ll create memories that spark joy for years to come.