20 Days Home Reset: Order & Relaxation Before Christmas

Christmas is just around the corner, and you want to start the holidays in a cozy and tidy manner? Then feel free to join my new challenge “20 Days Home Reset: Christmas Edition.” I specifically wanted to create an easily implementable challenge with daily mini-tasks that will help you organize, declutter, and prepare your home step by step before Christmas, stress-free. Perfect for families, but also for those celebrating alone or with a partner.

At the end of this post, you can download the complete checklist for free as a PDF. Because I know all too well: A printable checklist can be incredibly motivating. You can see daily what you have already accomplished and which tasks are still ahead of you. Additionally, I will take you along on my Instagram account @i_need_sunshine daily during the challenge. So, it’s worth checking out my story if you want to see how I and others are progressing with the challenge. Feel free to drop by, as we can motivate each other better together.

Why You Should Declutter & Organize Before Christmas

Do you feel the same way? The pre-Christmas season often feels like a whirlwind of to-do lists, appointments, and chaos. Christmas parties at school, work, and clubs, baking cookies, thinking about, buying, and wrapping gifts, getting Christmas decorations out of the basement, creating a festive atmosphere, crafting gifts for grandparents with the kids, and so on. The list is certainly very individual and different for everyone. But there is one commonality: There is always so much to do during the pre-Christmas season. Yet, what we really wish for is coziness, calm, and a tidy home where we can relax and spend some reflective hours.

20 Days Home Reset until Christmas: Start the holidays tidy and cozy

A home reset during Advent ensures that you:

• create order faster
• let go of mental burdens
• approach Christmas preparations more relaxed
• have more space for gifts, decorations & family time
• gift yourself a cozy, calm home

Many of my followers want to create more order and sort out unnecessary things again. Small Christmas tasks should not be missing either, as they prepare us for the holidays. And that’s exactly what this challenge brings. Clearly listed in a practical checklist for ticking off, so you don’t lose track.

The Complete 20-Day Home Reset Challenge “Christmas Edition”

Here you will find all 20 tasks, including a brief explanation, so you know what to expect daily. On average, you will need about 5 to 10 minutes per day. I think that’s quite manageable even in a busy family life.

Download Checklist Here

Week 1: Start Easy & Visible Successes

Focus: Quick Wins + Initial Christmas Preparations

We consciously start the first week with areas where we can see quick results. So, especially surfaces and areas in the house that we see multiple times a day, like the kitchen, entryway, and living room. You will see that even a few minutes of daily decluttering can make a significant difference. This keeps us motivated for the coming days.

Day 1: Kitchen Hotspot

Clear the countertop completely, leaving only daily essentials.

Mini-Christmas Task: Set up winter decorations or a scented candle.

Day 2: Living Room Reset

Clear and organize surfaces like the coffee table, sideboard, and TV stand.

Day 3: Entryway / Cloakroom

Sort scarves, hats, gloves, bags & shoes.

Mini-Christmas Task: Create a subtle winter atmosphere.

Day 4: Paperwork 10-Minute Sprint

Dispose of advertisements, sort letters into “To Do” and “File.”

Day 5: Digital Quick Clean

5 minutes: Sort photos and videos.

Day 6: Baking Equipment Check

5 minutes: Review cookie cutters & baking pans, sort out duplicates.

Mini-Christmas Task: Create a shopping list for baking cookies.

Day 7: Mini-Christmas Decoration Check

Check 3–5 decoration items: what stays, what goes?

Week 2: Pre-Christmas Boost

Focus: Gift Preparation, Structure, Family Organization

The first week is done! You’ve probably already noticed that your home radiates a bit more calm. Now, in the second week, we will declutter a bit deeper and more thoroughly. We will tidy up the areas we often neglect in everyday life, such as the bathroom or bedroom. Once you master week 2, it will significantly contribute to more order throughout the home. I promise!

Day 8: Refrigerator & Pantry

Check expiration dates, wipe briefly.

Mini-Christmas Task: Create a shopping list for Christmas dinner.

Day 9: Bathroom Quick Fix

Sort out expired cosmetics, reorganize everyday products.

Day 10: Children’s Room OR Your Own Area

Declutter one drawer or shelf.

Bonus: Sort out 10 minutes of books.

Day 11: Organize Wrapping Station

Bundle gift wrap, ribbons, scissors & tape and store in one place.

Day 12: Christmas Gift Day

Wrap or plan gifts.

Extra: Pass on/donate unwanted gifts.

Day 13: Wardrobe 5-Piece Round

Select 5 pieces: keep, donate, or dispose.

Day 14: Bedroom Reset

Sort nightstands & create a calming atmosphere.

Week 3: Kitchen, Pantry & Holiday Ready

Focus: Everything ready for guests, good food & peaceful holidays.

Now the third and final week begins, and with it, the part of the challenge where we prepare even more for the Christmas holidays. After all, we want to start the holidays tidy and cozy.

Day 15: Prepare Household Helpers

Quickly check trash bags, cleaning supplies, vacuum cleaner accessories & other helpers – everything ready for the final day.

Mini-Christmas Task: Prepare 1–2 small things for the holidays (e.g., tealights, candles, decorations) – so everything is relaxed and ready.

Day 16: Car Clarity

Remove 10 items: trash, drink bottles, flyers, toys, etc.

Day 17: Check Festive Outfits

Check Christmas sweaters & festive outfits: Does everything fit? Is something missing? Does it need to be washed?

Day 18: Festive Preparation

Set up or plan table decorations & small details for the holidays.

Mini-Christmas Task:

5-Minute Holiday Mini-Plan for Less Stress:

• Which days do you want to design calmly?
• Which meals are important (for you / your family)?
• What do you want to prepare to reduce stress?
• Are guests coming, or are you going out?

Day 19: Guest Bathroom Holiday Ready

Fresh towels, refill soap, set up small winter decorations.

Day 20: Final: “15-Minute Household Reset Light”

Vacuum floors, wipe surfaces, take out the trash. For a relaxed holiday feeling.

You did it! For 20 days, you dedicated yourself to your home with small mini-tasks every day and created more order. You not only decluttered but also established a basic order for the pre-Christmas season so that you can enjoy the holidays relaxed. If you want to print the tasks together: The complete checklist can be found below as a free PDF download.

Download Free Decluttering PDF Checklist

To keep everything in view daily, I have created the challenge as a clear PDF checklist.
With explanations, tasks, and mini-Christmas tasks. Ideal for printing and ticking off or for your phone.

Download Checklist Here

20 Days Home Reset Christmas Edition: Start the holidays tidy and cozy

FAQ 20 Days Home Reset: The Most Common Questions

1. Who is the 20 Days Home Reset Challenge suitable for?

This challenge is perfect for anyone who wants to bring more order, calm, and structure into their daily life before Christmas. Whether with family, working, with a lot or little time. I deliberately kept the tasks short so that you can easily implement them even on busy days. After all, there are already enough appointments during the pre-Christmas season.

2. How much time do I need per day?

For most tasks, you only need 5–15 minutes. If you are motivated and have time, you can certainly use that to get even more done. But remember, even small steps add up, and you don’t have to create unnecessary stress for yourself.

3. Can I catch up on tasks if I miss a day?

Yes, of course! You can implement the challenge flexibly, as it suits you best. You can bundle tasks, swap them, or catch up over the weekend. The important thing is to keep going. And say goodbye to perfectionism.

4. Is the Home Reset doable if I have small children?

I think so. Because many of the tasks can be completed quickly or integrated well into everyday life. You can also split some tasks, for example, 3 minutes here, 5 minutes there.

5. Do I have to declutter a children's room on Day 10 if I don’t have children?

No, you can alternatively choose your own area, e.g., office, desk, paperwork pile, or a creative drawer. You can flexibly adjust the challenge to suit your needs.

6. Is there a checklist available as a printable PDF?

Yes, you can download the complete PDF version with all explanations directly here in the blog post. So you can print the list or load it onto your phone.

7. What should I do with the items I sorted out?

Here are a few tips on what you can do with the sorted-out items:

• Sell: Vinted, eBay, classifieds, flea market
• Donate: local organizations or thrift stores
• Pass on: friends, family, neighbors (Tip: Just offer it in your WhatsApp status)
• Recycle/Dispose: everything that is broken or expired

Small tip: Set up a “Give Away Box” in the hallway. You can put everything that needs to go in there directly and take care of disposing of it later.

8. Why is the challenge specifically a Christmas edition?

Because the Advent season is often particularly stressful, and many areas come together at the same time: guests, gifts, meal planning, decorations, more laundry, more appointments. Yet, we wish for more calm and reflection during this time. The Home Reset ensures that you can start the holidays relaxed. Without chaos, without last-minute panic.

9. Will there be more Home Reset challenges?

Yes, I have definitely planned that. If the challenge is well received, I would like to develop a regular reset series (for example, for spring, summer, back-to-school, and autumn). What do you think of the idea? Stay tuned on Instagram if you don’t want to miss anything!

Join in and start the holidays relaxed!

I hope I can help you with my checklist to start the Christmas holidays a bit more relaxed and organized. For less chaos but more order and coziness.