5 Easy Steps to Packing Away the Holidays
Now that Christmas is over, those holiday decorations don’t seem to twinkle quite as brightly as when you put them up. Oh the work of taking all those decorations off the tree, off the mantle, off the house and from every nook and corner in your home. Where do you even begin to get started?!
GATHER
Go room to room gathering holiday decorations in a central area. This will ensure you won’t miss something. Double check yourself or have another family member go after your initial gathering to make sure nothing was missed. Designate a working area in your home like the kitchen or dining table for delicate and/or small items. A sheet works great to protect the table from glitter and scratches. Large items can stay on the floor.
UPDATE
Choose this year’s holiday photos to either use next year in new holiday frames or replace old holiday photos in current holiday frames.
MATCH
For decor that still has it’s original box, match those decor items back with their perfect home.
STORE
For decor that doesn’t have the original box, here are better solutions:
- Wreath Box
- Tree Bag
- Card Storage Box
- Gift Wrap Organizer
- Ornament Chest Store ornaments by color & type so when it’s time to decorate in 11 months, you can dress your tree with the “base” or plain ornaments first saving your special ornaments for last on the very edges of the branches for all to admire. If several, small, delicate ornaments can fit in one compartment of the chest, be sure to wrap each one.
- Ribbons can either be untied and rolled for storage or left tied and each loop stuffed with tissue to retain the shape & beauty of the bow.
- Light String Organizer Box
- Holiday Dishes in china storage keepers
PACK
Keep items to delicate for the attic summer heat off to the side so they don’t accidentally get packed away in the wrong area. Find an out of the way location in the air conditioned part of your home for your delicate holiday decor ie. candles. For everything else, use large plastic bins to store remaining holiday decor. Don’t forget to label, label, label.
It’s not very glamorous and can seem overwhelming to take down the decorations when the season is done, but you won’t face tangled light strings or broken family heirlooms in November. Being methodical, taking breaks between steps and playing music or watching TV will keep you moving.
If you need ideas on storage bins for your holiday decor, read our last blog.
