You know who you are. You keep the holiday decor up and on display well into summer! Well if putting holiday decor away is just too daunting of a task here are some tips to help you get it done.
Sort Decor by Room or Area
Sort and store decorations by the area they are used in your home. For example, have one container labeled “Front Porch Decorations”, another labeled “Dining Room Decorations”. If you need some decorations sooner than others pack an “Open First” box and store last the things that you’ll need to take out first. They’ll be the easiest to reach when it is time to find them again.
Label lights, garland, wreaths, or ball of mistletoe with a tag or marker and masking tape as you take it down. Note the exact hanging location so you’ll always know which item to hang on the “Front Hall Banister” and which is just the right size for the “Mantel”.
Use Clear Plastic Storage Boxes Not Cardboard
Use plastic storage to protect decorations and maximize storage. Avoid using cardboard as long-term storage. The boxes can get crushed if they are stacked. Cardboard also attracts moisture and bugs when stored in non-climate controlled areas like garages and attics.
Use Ornament Boxes
Ornament boxes are convenient for separating fragile ornaments. Buy enough boxes to store all your ornaments in the same way so you don’t have to hunt for ornaments the next year. Egg cartons make excellent packaging for tiny, fragile ornaments at the top of the box. Stuff all the nooks and crannies with used tissue paper. Run used wrapping paper through your shredder and use it as filler in your boxes to keep ornaments safe.
Protect Wreaths
Store wreaths in wreath boxes or clear trash bags. After you’ve wrapped them in a bag, you can hang them on a wall to save space and keep them from being crushed by other items in your storage area.
Wrap and Store Lights Using Common Household Items
To store indoor and outdoor lights use paper towel tubes or wrapping paper rolls. It’s difficult to rewind them and fit them into the original packaging. Throw away the packaging and use cardboard. With scissors, make a slit at each end of each tube. Stick one end of the lights into one slit, loosely wind the lights onto the tube, and then finish by sticking the other end of the lights into the other slit.
Create a Wrapping Station to Store Wrapping Needs
Designate an area in a spare closet for all your wrapping needs. Store rolls of wrapping paper in clear plastic vertical containers. Store flat paper, tissue paper, and gift bags in a three-drawer clear plastic rolling cart. Sort the wrapping by holiday, birthday, or wedding, etc. Organize your bows, ribbons, tags, tape, scissors, and anything else you use to wrap in a clear plastic over-the-door shoe organizer on the back of the closet door.