Love decorating your home for the holidays, but kind of dread taking it down and packing it all away? It is a chore, but believe it or not, there are some ways to make it more manageable and, yes, maybe even enjoyable.
For starters, select a space in your home where you’ll store all your holiday decor. Consider the size of your space, your climate and how much stuff you have. It’s possible you may have to sort it into categories, such as indoor and outdoor before you stash it.
Overwhelmed by the amount of stuff you’ve acquired? Make a plan to declutter every year. Ask yourself if it still blends with your style, if anything is broken or if you have too much. Next, categorize what’s left, whether by the room where it’s displayed or by the type of item it is, such as candles, Santas, snowmen, reindeer and the like.
To best organize your decor for safekeeping, invest in quality bins and storage. This way, you’ll save time, money and make your decorating efforts most efficient!
How to Store Your Tree
Your artificial tree is likely the largest holiday decor item you’ll have to store. Choose a zippered cover rather than its original box. Plan to keep it upright in your storage space so it doesn’t get crushed. Can’t find a bag? Cover and wrap the tree with a large trash bag and tie it off or seal the opening until next year.
How to Store Your Ornaments
Consider organizing your ornaments like you would your decor in general. Everyone has sentimental or fragile ornaments that may require extra protection, such as tissue paper or bubble wrap. Ideally, place most of your ornaments in ornament storage bins to save as much space as possible. Repair any ornaments that you can before stowing them away.
How to Store Your Lights
One of the most frustrating feelings is to pull out your holiday lights only to find them a jumbled mess, but it doesn’t have to be that way. For longer strands of lights, use a wheel or holder to wrap the lights around. You can also use rectangular pieces of cardboard to achieve the same result. While you’re winding them up, take the time to check to see that all are still working.
How to Store Your Wreath(s)
Based on how fragile decor on your wreath(s) are, you may want to opt for a sturdy plastic wreath storage box. Other options include storing them in canvas bags or plastic wrap. If you have multiple wreaths, you can wrap them individually, then hand them on hooks to hang from a rod in a closet.
How to Store Your Gift Wrap
Sort seasonal gift wrap, bows, gift bags and more so you can easily access it during the holidays. They can be stored in an organizer bag, cart or even an over-the-door shoe organizer. A mobile cart is nice if you need to move all items to another room to wrap gifts.
How to Store Indoor Decor
Store candlesticks, stockings, picture frames and other indoor decor into a bin organized by room, such as the family room or bedrooms. Do the same with holiday kitchen and dining items too. Launder, then place pillows and blankets in airtight containers to help keep them fresh!
How to Store Outdoor Decor
Remove these items from their original packaging and ideally place them in plastic bins for maximum protection from the elements. Keep any notes about how to care for the items or their instruction manuals.
Need more help getting your home back to normal after you organize and store your holiday decorations? Let us help! Our professional cleaning teams help make homes on the Eastern Shore of Mobile Bay, including Fairhope, Point Clear, Montrose, Daphne and Spanish Fort, as well as Foley, Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, sparkle. Contact us today to book your appointment!
