Taming the Tinsel: Strategies for Organizing Christmas Decorations
Taming the Tinsel: Strategies for Organizing Christmas Decorations
The holidays are a magical time, but the aftermath of all that festive cheer can be a trail of tangled lights and overflowing storage bins. Spending a little time now can help with set-up next year and make cleanup much easier in the future. Think of it as an early Christmas gift for your future self! Plus, if in future years your situation changes or time is limited you may not want to go all out for the Holidays. If things are well labeled and organized you could keep things simple and just decorate the tree or you could put wreaths on the doors, and get out some seasonal mugs for hot chocolate. Being organized can give you some easy options!
1. All successful organizing sessions start with the decluttering:
Start with what is still boxed up: Go through all that is remaining in your decor boxes. If it never made it out this year the chances are good that it won't make it out in future years. Be honest – are those chipped ornaments really worth keeping? Donate or discard anything broken, outdated, or simply not loved anymore. It's also worth taking a hard look at things made by the kids. If the art projects didn’t take much creativity or skill on their part maybe those things aren’t so important to keep?
Look through everything that is out: Do you really enjoy all of the decor that was out this year?
Sentimental Favorites: There are usually some items that you just can’t bear to part with but don't necessarily work with how you are currently decorating. Designate a special box for these irreplaceable heirlooms or kids projects you would like to keep. If next year you want to pull them out to reminisce you can but you don't need to spend the extra effort pulling them out if you don’t want to. Consider photographing fragile items to preserve their memory.
2. Clean and repair:
Dust and Polish: Wipe down all ornaments, figurines, and other decorations with a soft cloth.
Wash and Dry: If your decorations are washable (like fabric items), give them a gentle wash and allow them to dry completely before storing.
Check for Damage: Repair any broken ornaments or fix any loose wires on lights.
3. Organize Strategically:
Divide By Category: Create separate bins or boxes for different types of decor. We love using clear bins or the color coordinated bins so it is obvious at a glance which bins are for the holiday. Some examples could be:
Tree Basics: Tree stand, tree lights, tree skirt, star for the top – if you do multiple trees a box for each tree would be ideal
Ornaments: Ornament boxes for purchase are available. https://amzn.to/4h54Fvp If you still have used wrapping paper around from the holiday that can be a great thing to protect fragile ornaments. Tissue paper always works as well!
Kitchen and Linens: The linens, packing paper, or bubble wrap can be used to protect glassware.
Collections: Some people have collections of santas, nutcrackers, villages, etc.
Decorations: Snow globes, candles, stockings, advent calendars etc.
Wreaths: Special containers are available for them. https://amzn.to/409781e The clear plastic bags that bed linens come in also work really well for this. Quite a few clients have also stored wreaths hanging on a wall in a basement, attic, or garage area.
Wrapping paper and Supplies: I use a long clearbox for this but there are some wrapping paper specific solutions that are kind of fun. https://amzn.to/3DUQxqg
Outdoor Decorations: Inflatables, lights, lawn ornaments.
Label Everything: Clear, concise labels are essential. You can simply label the bin with a permanent marker or label maker. I like to use clear notecard holders so I can easily switch out the label and have plenty of room for details. https://amzn.to/3PquwCs
4. Store away until next year:
Ideally you have a storage area available for the bins. Shelves are great if you have them so you can pull out a specific bin at a time. If they need to be stacked that’s ok too since you will probably not be getting into them until next year.
Keep in mind that if your storage area is not temperature controlled it would be best to store candles in another location.
By following these tips, you can ensure that your Christmas decorations are well-organized, protected, and ready to bring holiday cheer for years to come. Happy storing!
Bonus Tip: Take photos of your Christmas decorations before you pack them away. This will help you remember how you displayed them and recreate your favorite looks next year. Also, if life is hectic next year and you would like Simplified Home to help out with decorating, we will have a good idea of how you like your decor displayed!
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