By the time the holidays are done I’m really tired of the extra decorations, clutter and hub-bub. Most people will agree its fun to decorate for Christmas, but decorations that were so much fun to put up are really a drag to take down.
Another problem is that our holiday decorations continue to expand and take over more and more valuable storage space. This year, take a few extra minutes and add some planning while packing away the holiday decorations. Here’s some great ideas to help storing your holiday decor be anything but ho-hum!
First check out the items you didn’t use this year.
Are they really items you’ll use again? If you are holding on to them for sentimental reasons, is there another family member or friend that would use them and cherish them? Maybe it’s time to pass on ornaments to the kids or grandkids?
Do you know a young family that probably doesn’t have many holiday decorations? Sharing these decorations can be wonderfully fun – especially if your decorations will be enjoyed and displayed in years to come.
Purge ruthlessly — realizing that decorations that didn’t get used this year probably won’t be used next year! (Sharing is caring!)
Store them well. Walk through any store this time of year and there are storage boxes galore on sale. Measure your storage space and buy a few well fitting boxes or totes with lids. A tall narrow box for wrapping paper is super handy as well.
We store much of our decor by color. Each year we have a color theme for our tree. If the theme is for example, silver and red – we have fewer boxes to sort through as we unpack and decorate because the other colors are sorted to separate boxes.
I love to buy wrapping paper and cards on sale after Christmas and by having good storage and well labeled boxes it’s in perfect condition and easy to find next year.
Wind lights around paper towel tubes or rolled newspaper. Leave the end that is plugged into the outlet on the outside of the roll. Next year you’ll be able to test the lights and have no tangled messes to deal with.
If you are moving in the coming year:
- Make sure to add extra packing materials and pack for the move now.
- Label the boxes and seal so they won’t need to be evaluated and repacked later.
- Purge, purge, purge and don’t buy the year-end holiday sale paper or cards. It isn’t worth storing and moving!
- Give away your excess cards and wrapping paper.
- If hard to move items like your Christmas tree stand aren’t in great shape, toss them now rather than later!
Next year as you pull out your holiday decorations you’ll appreciate the moments you spend now organizing!
Margaret Oscilia Home Stager and Redesign Specialist 503-881-0886
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