Holiday Decorations: Creative Ways to Store and Organize Seasonal Decor
We all look forward to that time of year when the holidays come and go in a blur of lights, laughter, and joy. But then the music dies down, and everyone knows you are pushing the limits to how long decorations are allowed to be up. So, all that holiday decor needs somewhere to go. Where? Stashing it in whatever bin you can find and wishing for the best isn’t necessarily a sound plan. There are, however, some great ways to store everything so that next season, you don’t need to go buy new ones because you don’t remember where you put them.
Keep Ornaments Untangled and Secure
There’s nothing more disappointing than opening a present and finding a smashed mess. How about getting a little inventive and reusing items in your life? Plastic cups glued onto a sheet of cardboard make a perfect DIY organizer for big ornaments, and egg cartons work perfectly for fragile, little baubles. For a quick solution, buy ornament organizer boxes with dividers. Don’t forget to wrap fragile items in tissue first, then store them away.
Lights Without a Battle
Holiday lights have a life of their own and, for no discernible reason, tangle into a knot, no matter how carefully stored. Simple answer: Roll them onto a sheet of cardboard or a clothes hanger. For a touch of refinement, a reel for use with extension cords is an ideal answer. Whatever, don’t store them in a bag—that will just cause frustration.
Wrangling the Wrapping Supplies
Wrapping paper, bows, and ribbons take a lot of space, but a surprisingly effective device for storing rolls of wrapping paper is a clothes bag: simply zipper it shut and stash it in a closet. For items like tape and gift labels, a clear over-the-door shoe organizer keeps them in sight and at your fingertips. No mad dash for scissors at the eleventh hour!
Wreaths That Keep Their Shape
A smashed wreath is a sad thing. Instead of stacking them on top of each other, use a strong hanger and a garment bag to store them in one piece and dust-free. If you have enough space, a large plastic storage bin works too—just stand them in it, not stack them. And label each bag or bin so you don’t have to guess which wreath is in each one.
Sorting Through the Seasonal Overwhelm
Before tucking it all in, sort through what you actually use first. What hasn’t seen daylight in years won’t make a big impact. Give away or discard whatever you no longer like or spark joy. That keeps holding onto what is important and not getting bogged down with clutter.
Label Everything (Seriously, It Helps)
You think that a year from now, you will remember what’s in each one, but don’t fool yourself; you won’t. Mark your bins and group similar items together. Clear bins make it even easier to view contents. For an added level of efficiency, label your bins and maintain a record of contents in each one. It’s a little work at first but a cinch for setup in a year.
Store It Where You’ll Actually Find It
Pushing all that is in the attic’s furthest corner may seem ideal until you need to retrieve it. Whenever possible, place your decor in a location that can be reached easily. Under a bed, closet upper shelves, and certain areas in a garage can work storage.
A little planning in advance will save a whole lot of headaches later. With smart storing, decorating for future years will be a breeze—not a challenge.
