After the turkey has been eaten and the presents have been opened, we are left with the less joyous task of cleaning up and putting the holiday decorations in storage. It’s tempting to want to get this task over with and pack everything up as quickly as possible. However, putting some thought into organizing holiday decorations is worthwhile in the end, and it will save you valuable time when you unpack everything next year. If you’re not sure how to organize holiday decorations effectively, don’t worry. We have a strategic plan for neatly putting away the festive items that will save you space and time and help you easily locate everything next year.
Taking Inventory of Holiday Decorations
It’s amazing how each year, we forget which ornaments we still have, which ones broke, and which new ones we have added to our collection. Before organizing holiday decorations and putting them away, it is a good idea to take inventory of them. This may entail throwing away or mending broken ornaments and separating unwanted ones from your favorite ones.
Start by setting out some boxes and bins. Collect all of the ornaments and lights from the tree and bring them to a designated spot. With everything in one location, you will have a better idea of how many containers are needed to put away all the decorations and whether you need to get more.
How To Organize Holiday Decorations
With all of the decorations collected and a sufficient amount of storage boxes prepared, now is the time to start organizing. Haphazardly throwing lights, ornaments, decorations, and garlands into boxes without organization may seem like the easiest approach, but this can lead to a tangled mess next holiday season.
Although organizing holiday decorations takes a little extra time and effort, the result is a big reward when unpacking everything next year. You won’t spend hours untangling lights and cleaning up broken ornaments if they are stored properly.
Holiday Lights
There are some brilliant and easy ways to store Christmas lights so you won’t feel like pulling your hair out when you go to use them again the next holiday season. To store lights so that they remain free of tangles, wrap each strand neatly around a reel or piece of cardboard and place them inside a zippered bag. Label it, and take your holiday organizing a step further by indicating where each set of lights goes next year.
Holiday Ornaments
Purchase an ornament container with compartments for each of your ornaments. Tray dividers can be configured to accommodate ornaments of all different shapes and sizes. For extra protection, fill any space around the ornament with tissue paper or bubble wrap. This will help ensure you’re not disappointed by broken ornaments when you pull them out next season.
Sorting Holiday Decorations
To properly organize holiday decorations, it is best to create categories such as these:
- Lights box
- Ornaments box
- Wreath box or hanging space
- A box or plastic bag for large decorations
- A box or bin for small decorations
- Holiday-themed serving plates and bowls
Now it’s time to sort your decorations by making piles based on each category. Place the piles next to the containers you would like to place them in. Eyeball the number of containers you will need per category. Make new labels with a label maker or a large piece of tape and a Sharpie. If you want to take your holiday organization to the next level, you could number each container based on how you decorate your home.
Use Clear Bins
One of the best holiday decoration storage ideas is to use clear containers and bins. Instead of having to get each box from the rafters, attic, or basement to try to find specific decorations, clear bins will allow you to see what’s in each container. This way, you can retrieve what you want without pulling everything out. Clear bins are a great way to store all of your seasonal decorations because they reduce the amount of time and effort it takes to find specific decorations.
Hang Your Wreaths
An inexpensive and easy way to store Christmas wreaths is to place a garbage bag around them to keep them clean, and then hang them on hangers in the garage. This will keep them from being damaged by other holiday storage. Another option is to individually hang each wreath along a wall of hooks, provided you have the space.
Fragile wreaths made with dried foliage and fruits must be stored extra carefully. It may be best to invest in crush-proof containers for these wreaths. These containers can be stacked or hung on the wall for convenience.
Equip a Baking Cart
For many people, baking Christmas cookies around the holidays is one of the true pleasures of life. But where are you supposed to store the rolling pin, cookie cutters, cupcake liners, cake decorations, and all the other things that come with the experience? A rolling baking cart is the ultimate organizational solution for storing all of your baking accessories in one convenient spot. If you have a walk-in pantry or an extra room in your kitchen, the organized baking cart is a lifesaver. This will keep everything you need well-organized and ready to use when the time comes.
Cart Organization
- Top shelf: Holds the mixers
- Drawer #1: Cupcake liners, food/icing coloring, and sprinkles. Make this your decoration station.
- Drawer #2: Icing tips and couplers divided into craft boxes.
- Drawer #3: Piping bags of various sizes.
- Drawer #4: Spatulas, measuring utensils, mixer attachments, and scrapers.
Make a Holiday Closet
The storage solution experts at ShelfGenie know exactly how to create functional holiday closets. Our custom pull-out drawers and glide-out shelves are perfect for storing holiday items, from ornaments to wrapping paper and everything in between. These innovative storage solutions will keep your decorations and supplies organized, in excellent condition, and easy to locate and access when you need them. Our designer will come to your home with organization ideas that will give your holiday decoration storage a boost.
Wrap It Up With a Wrapping Station
Wrapping paper can be a real hassle to store. One solution is to make a wrapping paper station in your mudroom, laundry room, or craft room (if you have one) that can be a devoted area to wrap presents. To keep things neat and organized, look for plastic tubes specifically designed to hold wrapping paper. Zipped bags designed to hold your wrapping is another way to go.
Another option is to put your wrapping paper into an under-the-bed or hanging storage system tucked away from everyday life. Before you pack that wrapping paper away for next year, use a piece of blue painter’s tape to secure any opened rolls. The blue painter’s tape will keep the roll from unraveling but won’t be hard to get off when you’re ready to use it.
Corral the Coats
In many areas, the cold weather of the holiday season brings with it coats, boots, and other apparel that can quickly pile up in unwanted locations around the house. What are we to do with all of the winter garments? Here are some suggestions:
- Wall-mounted coat rack: For smaller apartments or homes with limited space in the entryway, a wall-mounted coat rack is the way to go.
- Freestanding coat rack: Be sure to measure the base of the coat rack and test its sturdiness before purchasing. You don’t want your coat rack toppling over with too many coats. Get a freestanding coat rack with a heavy base.
- Hall closet: Clear out the old iPhone boxes and unused mops from your hall closet and turn it into a coat sanctuary. Make space to hang your coats out of sight and in a contained space.
Once the holiday dust settles, and the festive atmosphere begins to fade, taking extra time to store your holiday decorations may seem like too much work. But taking time to properly organize and store your holiday decorations will be time well-spent. It will not only save you time next season but ensure your decorations stay protected and ready to use for years to come. If you need help organizing other areas of your home, ShelfGenie is here for all of your home organization needs. Since 2000, we have been offering homeowners storage solutions that make organizing easy and life a little easier. To learn more or to get started, book a free consultation today.
