The Tips You Need For Storing Holiday Decor
As much as most of us love the feeling of a home decorated for the holidays, I think we can also all relate to the stress that comes with taking down and storing decorations. I am going to provide you with all my tips for storing your decorations so they are safe throughout the year and accessible for next year’s holiday season.
First thing is first, before you take anything down, take photos! I can’t even begin to count how many times I have spent a December 1st desperately trying to figure out how I had set up the decorations the previous year. Trust me when I say, this will save you so much time in the long run.
My second recommendation (before actually starting to put things away) is edit as you go. I think we have all had the experience of shoving items away, fully aware that we will not want to use them the following year. Save yourself the headache and donate or recycle any items that no longer serve you (or have met their expiration date). Now that we have gone over the basics, let’s break down my suggestions for the different decor.
Finally, choose a zone! Whether it’s a full closet, under a bed, or a section of the garage, designate an area where you can store all of your holiday essentials. I will provide you with all of the storage products and tips you need, but it’s so important that you find a space that you can title your “Holiday Zone.”
Ornaments
I know how fragile ornaments can be, so they need to be treated delicately. If you are hoping to go the DIY route, you can simply use an old wine box and apply some padding with foam or cotton. The wine boxes have individual compartments to pack the ornaments securely, which makes it so easy and simple! I also love Ornament Storage Boxes! In just one box, you can keep 84 ornaments packed well. Either option, you can micro-organize by style of ornament, color, or even by tree (if you have more than one). Make sure to label the outside of the bin to make the process even more efficient.
Christmas Tree Lights
Is there anything worse than jumbled and chaotic Christmas lights? The answer is no. It takes an hour to unravel them, only to realize that they were damaged sometime in the year. A thick piece of cardboard is a game changer. Simply wrap the lights around a piece of cardboard (and tuck the ends in). Just to make sure the lights aren’t damaged, I like to add in a general storage box after.
I also love the option of wrapping the Christmas lights on a Large Lights Reel. It even comes with a cushion container around it, which makes everything all the simpler! Whichever route you choose, don’t forget to label! It’s a true time saver.
Gift Wrapping Essentials
When it comes to wrapping paper, I love the DIY option of hanging them in a clear garment bag. Once you line up the wrapping paper vertically, you can hang them in a storage closet for a gift wrapping zone. As a second option, I love a utility cart to store all of my gift wrapping goods and keep them in a small area of my closet. If you are looking for a little more detail on how to organize your cart, take a peek at my Gift Wrap Essentials blog post.
China & Glassware
If you have specified Holiday china, flatware, or serveware, I’ve got you covered! I love these plate storage solutions for keeping your items dust-free within a designated container making them easy to store in a buffet or cabinet. If you use or have a nicer collection of these items but still want to access them regularly, you can create a new solution by hanging up your nicer wine glasses on a rack or placing items on a riser within your kitchen cabinets.
Wreath
My heart just breaks anytime I see a smashed or mattered wreath. Fortunately, there are so many incredible containers that keep wreaths in the best quality. This Double Wreath Storage Bag is one of my absolute favorites.
Everything Else
All remaining items, like stockings, table cloths, and nutcrackers can be stored in stackable bins of your choosing. I love something simple like these modular bins. They vary in size so you can easily separate each item and don’t forget to label everything (are you sick of me saying this yet)!