Thanksgiving Declutter Guide: Donate, Pack Smart, and Move Lighter

As the holidays arrive on the Northshore, there’s no better time to clear space, give back, and prep for an easier move. Whether you’re hosting family in Mandeville, downsizing in Covington, or planning a post-holiday relocation to New Orleans or Jefferson Parish, a focused declutter can lower stress and moving costs. At Uncle Sam’s Moving Corps, we help you donate responsibly, pack efficiently, and move lighter with exact quotes, not estimates—so there are no surprises.

Start With a Northshore Declutter Plan

A clear, local plan makes all the difference. Start early and tackle one area at a time so Thanksgiving week stays manageable.

• Set a 20-minute timer per space: pantry, guest room, closets, garage.
• Sort into keep, donate, sell, and discard. Use color-coded bags for speed.
• Right-size holiday decor: keep only what you display; store the rest or donate.
• Think seasonally: pack summer gear now and label boxes by room and season.

Where to Donate in Mandeville, Covington, and New Orleans

Give your lightly used items a second life while supporting local neighbors. Household goods, furniture, and clothing are welcomed by area thrift stores, parish community organizations, and faith-based charities. Consider home goods donations to ReStore-style outlets for building materials and furnishings, and share books with library or school drives in St. Tammany Parish. Pantry surplus? Bag unopened, nonperishable foods for regional food banks that support families throughout the Northshore and Greater New Orleans. Verify hours and pickup options ahead of time—our Loading & Unloading Help can move items to your vehicle or assist with curbside pickups.

Is it better to declutter before or after packing?

Declutter before you pack. You’ll reduce the number of boxes, save on packing materials, and pay less for your local moving services. You’ll also unpack faster and settle in sooner. Exceptions: if you’re on a tight timeline, pack a “maybe” box for sentimental items and decide after the move. If you need to relocate quickly, our Last-Minute or Emergency Moves keep your schedule on track without sacrificing care.

Pack Smart to Save Time and Money

Our Packing & Unpacking services and professional packing materials protect your belongings and speed up move day. If you’re packing yourself, keep it simple and strategic:

• Create an essentials tote with meds, chargers, a few utensils, towels, and Thanksgiving-week must-haves.
• Use small boxes for books and heavy items; fill gaps with linens to prevent shifting.
• Bag hardware and label it when disassembling furniture; tape the bag to the item.
• Photograph cable setups before disconnecting electronics.
• Label three sides of every box with room, contents, and priority level.

Need temporary space for extra decor or furniture? Our climate-controlled Storage Solutions in the Mandeville and Northshore area keep humidity in check—ideal for antiques, wood pieces, and seasonal items.

Move Lighter With Local Pros You Can Trust

As a veteran-owned Mandeville moving company, we serve Covington, New Orleans, Jefferson Parish, and surrounding Northshore communities with integrity and precision. Choose exactly what you need:

• Residential Moving and Apartment Movers for homes of all sizes
• Local Moving Services within a 50-mile radius
• Long-Distance Moving for interstate relocations
• Labor Only Services for loading, unloading, or in-home rearranging
• Furniture Assembly & Disassembly to protect complex pieces
• Commercial/Office Moving to minimize downtime during the holiday season

We honor exclusive discounts for veterans, teachers, and first responders. And because we provide exact quotes rather than estimates, you can plan your holiday budget confidently.

A Lighter, Brighter Holiday Starts Now

Decluttering before Thanksgiving makes your home guest-ready and your next move easier—whether you’re staying local on the Northshore or heading across parish lines. Donate what you no longer need, pack with purpose, and let Uncle Sam’s Moving Corps handle the heavy lifting with professionalism and care.

Ready to declutter and move lighter? Get your precise quote today at unclesamsmovingcorps.com or call our friendly team. Book your November move early—our Mandeville, Covington, New Orleans, and Jefferson Parish crews are here to make your holiday transition seamless.