About two years ago!

Look like they are Ilex 'Dwarf Burford', or maybe 'Needlepoint'. Generally you cut these back about 3 to 4 inches each year if you want them small. In other words, a little every year.

I would have done drastic cuttings back in February-March. Not sure if they'll put out a lot of new growth now if you cut them back, however it's likely, since you have a long growing season in Atlanta, and these are fairly hardy plants.

Hopefully someone with more drastic-pruning experience will chime in.

Main problem with taking off outer shell will be burning up of older leaves due to sudden increase in sun exposure. However, if you were to cut them down all the way to bare stems there would be no leaves to get burned. And they will still grow back - done now they will have the whole summer to make some replacement growth.

So basically I can cut back now or in the early spring. I think I will wait till next spring and cut them back. This will give them the entire season to establish new growth.

Sounds like a plan.

Does your holly have leaf spot (tar spot)?