I won’t start taking down my Christmas decorations for another week or so…..just can’t bear the idea of an empty house!
But, when the time is right, there are a few tips that The Christmas Gals are sharing to make the job a little easier this time of year….and in the coming year when you begin to decorate again.
ORNAMENT STORAGE
Some of our most precious Christmas items are ornaments. Many newer ornaments are unbreakable, but alas, many of our collectible ornaments are glass and very fragile and need TLC when being packed. Yes, you can wrap each one carefully in tissue or newspaper, but we have found that using plastic cups can safely store your ornaments.
The supplies for this storage hack are simple: plastic solo or cocktail style cups and cardboard.
In your storage bins, fill a row with cups and fill each cup with an ornament. Then cover that row with a layer of cardboard. Next, start a new row. Keep up this process until you have filled the bin.
You can use a glue gun to permanently position the cups on the cardboard pieces. But, it’s not really necessary to keep things in order.
This is a much less expensive option than the ornament storage boxes you buy at the store!
LIGHTING
Lights…ugh. They get tangled no matter what, right? Here is a trick we have found to keep lights untangled and organized! First, never store your tree with lights on it. Never. Next, lights should be the very last thing you remove from your tree as you dismantle it. Once the lights are out, wrap the strand around a piece of cardboard and stack in a bin.
We borrowed photos from another blogger who also marks whether or not the lights are color or white.
BINS
So. Many. Bins. So, so many bins this time of year as we start to pack away the holiday cheer. Sometimes I see photos online of people who have the same, color-coordinated bins for their décor storage. So pretty, but honestly it’s not my reality.
Nope. Not me. I buy bins when they are on sale….some clear, some solid colors. Some are large, some are small. Either way, identifying what is in your storage area is what matters.
For many years, I’ve relied on my hand-dandy label maker to help mark my bins. I find these helpful, but really not practical. This year, I’m taking a cue from HomeTalk.com and using chalk pens to mark in LARGE LETTERS what is in each bin. Be sure to mark on all sides. Don’t worry, its chalk and will wash off with a wet cloth if you need to re-label next year!
Another helpful organization hint for your bins….take photos! Take photos of how you set up trees and different decor, then print out the photos and slip inside the bins before they are stored away.
FLORALS AND PICKS
I’ve collected quite a few picks and floral accessories through the years, but smashing these pieces into the bins is taking its toll. We are in love with this storage idea by South House Designs.
Recycle paper towel and toilet paper rolls and with a few extra supplies: magnets, super glue and backing board, you can create a vertical storage for your floral picks!
WREATH STORAGE
Plastic wreath storage bins are great. But these specialized bins are also bulky and, frankly, cost about as much as some of the wreaths themselves. Instead, we recommend finding an unused wall to attach inexpensive hooks or nails to hang and store your wreaths. I’ve found this open wall space headed down the basement steps works great to hang wreaths without taking up precious bin storage area.
Today’s Creative Life hangs the wreath in an unused closet on plastic hangers.
Consider wrapping the wreath in a small garbage bag before you hang. No chance of anything falling off the wreath and they are protected from dust over the next few months!
