Christmas is coming and it’s always smart to do a little tidying up before receiving new gifts and decorations in your home.

We spoke with three professional organizers to gather their key insights on what types of items you might want to consider parting with before the holidays. Spending some time now getting your home in top shape means you’ll have one less task to cross off your to-do list for the new year.

Holiday decorations

If you’re done decorating the halls for the year and are left with decor you don’t want to display or don’t fit your current style, donate it, says Carly Booze, founder of POP Organizing.

Booze explains how this all applies to decorations from Halloween, Thanksgiving and beyond—get rid of anything you haven’t reached for in months. Best of all, doing it before Christmas means other people in your community will be able to buy your used pieces to decorate their own homes, so you can feel extra good about your decluttering spree.

Holiday Cards

You might want to keep a few extra sentimental holiday cards from last year, but you probably don’t need to keep every single one you get. Before this year comes, it is worth going through it a little.

“I find that people rarely go back and watch them after the year is over,” says Booze.

In general, she recommends recycling any Christmas cards you receive after you take down your holiday decorations for the season.

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Coats

The weather outside this time of year is terrifying, and that means you’ll most likely be opening your closet multiple times a day. Make the hunt for the right jacket less of a chore by cleaning out your closet.

“A coat closet can easily become a catch-all and therefore can fill up very quickly,” says Katherine Picott, founder of Tidy Milso. “By dedicating time to decluttering, you’ll be able to streamline your closet and easily find all your winter essentials.”

Better yet, try to leave free hangers in the closet after cleaning so you’ll be ready to hang your guests’ coats when they drop by for the holiday celebration.

Not sure what to do with your unwanted outerwear? As Picott points out, many organizations are holding coat drives this year and are asking for donations in all sizes and styles. Consider passing on your gently worn items to someone in need who will greatly appreciate them.

Sheet Sets

Many people are getting ready to host overnight guests for the holidays. While you’ll definitely want to make sure you have enough bedding sets for every bed in your home, you don’t have to stick with countless extras.

“Set a limit for your home: two to three sets per bed is enough,” says Picott, noting that you can easily donate the rest of your collection.

Children’s items

Your kids are very excited about what Santa will bring them this season, but they most likely already own a lot of toys and games, some of which they can barely reach for.

Use the time before Christmas to go through your kids’ toys and clothes, suggests Kristina Pinkerton, founder of Organizing Huntsville.

“Clearing out items they’ve outgrown or no longer use not only frees up space, but also makes it easier for them to enjoy their new gifts,” she says.

Kitchen Items

As you begin your holiday baking and meal prep, leave your kitchen behind once again.

“The holiday kitchen is a game-changer for anyone hosting guests,” says Pinkerton.

She recommends taking a deep dive into your space: clean out the pantry, evaluate your gadgets and gizmos, and part with unused dishes.

“This creates a more functional space, making preparing holiday meals and entertaining much easier,” says the organizer.