Once it’s time to pack up the tree, take down the tinsel, and unravel all those strands of lights, the big question is: where to store all these decorations? You could throw it in a cardboard box in the back of the garage and forget about it until next year, but there are better storage solutions out there.
Here are a few tips to help you manage your holiday decor organization.
Choose the Right Space
An easy solution is to keep all your holiday decorations in one specific space, as this saves you from having to pull decorations from different areas of the house next year.
On the other hand, it may make more sense to store some items, like artificial trees, in the garage and other items, such as wrapping paper, in a spare closet or the attic. If you utilize this approach, make a note of it somewhere so you’ll remember what is where when the holidays roll back around.
Declutter Old Decor
Some holiday decorations last for decades, and some are lucky if they last a season. Before you pack everything up, take stock of what might be broken and destined for the trash and what just never got used or put out. If you have holiday decor that is in good shape, but you’d rather not keep it, donate unwanted decorations so that somebody else might get some merry enjoyment from them.
Use Labels and Clear Bins
It’s incredibly easy to forget which decorations are in which bin with solid color storage bins. For this reason, clear bins are a better pick. Consider creating categories for your various holiday decor and storing similar items in the same bin. This makes labeling what is where that much easier and will help you unpack things that much faster when the season comes back around.
Utilize Garment Bags
Storing a handmade wreath or fine linen tablecloth in the bottom of a box probably isn’t the best idea. This is where garment bags come in handy. Garment bags are fantastic for storing more delicate items like wreaths, garlands, tree skirts, or table runners. Just be sure to hang them someplace that’s dry to help keep everything protected.
Store Fragile Items Separately
Repurposing old egg cartons or drink containers can be great for smaller ornaments, and any kind of hard shell organizer with segmented storage well should work for larger ornaments. To add an additional layer of protection, line the bottom and sides of the container with bubble wrap or tissue paper for extra padding.
For other delicate items like nativity scenes, menorahs, antique trains, or nutcrackers, treat these with a bit more care. Wrap them carefully with bubble wrap or lots of tissue paper and place them in a plastic storage bin, taking care to avoid overcrowding.
Light Storage
Nobody wants to unravel a giant knot of Christmas lights when it comes time to deck the halls. To avoid this headache, cord storage reels are an easy solution. For an even cheaper solution, wrap lights around a rolled-up newspaper. Just be sure to use a piece of masking tape to secure the ends.
With a little holiday storage strategy, you’ll be ready to decorate your home like a pro all over again next year. To learn more about the available inventory of homes in the Caliterra community, contact us today.
