Maybe it is the fresh new air of the new year or the short lived enthusiasm of new year resolutions, whatever it is I took down all my Christmas decor (got to note only the ones I hung aka. inside the home, outside lights are B’s territory ;)) and put it safely away. One thing different about this year’s cleaning up process was that I put some thought into it even before I started, gathered my stuff up, and was done in no time. Ok, granted I don’t go all out for Christmas but clearing up the tree itself used to take days. This time it was a breeze. I tell ya, you too can claim your home back with some planning.
Supplies
- The golden rule of a DIY’er – Never throw away a shoe box. Grab every one of them you can find around the house.
- I take this rule a step further and save even the boxes that my recessed light bulbs came in. They are perfect for storing those odd shaped fragile ornaments.
- The usual culprits; ornament storage boxes, clear plastic bins, Ziploc bags.
- Labels -any kind would do. I use the free ones that come in my mail.
- Long pieces of cardboard (odd one, right? See those strings of lights?)
1. Separate by type/color
For the round ball breakable ornaments, I usually save the boxes that these came in and return them back to their boxes during pack up time. Didn’t have this issue this time as my tree only had all handmade natural ornaments. So the ornament pool was split into boxes of pine cones, poster board ornaments, Himmelis, Egg Carton ornaments, paper swirls, mirror ornaments etc. Sorting them based on type will prevent any breaking or bending. Sorting by color is gonna make your life easier next year when you want to decorate the house all over again.
2. Keep the glitter stuff, candles, ribbons, and breakables separate.
All store bought glitter stuff shed like crazy. Storing them with non glitter decor ensures that your non glitter ornaments will be covered in glitter next year. So I store them separately in Ziploc bags. Same goes for Christmas candles. They get their own box where I tuck each individual candle in a bed of ribbon and tinsel garland so as to prevent scratches from other ornaments with sharp edges.
3. Label every box as descriptively as you can.
4. For storing those odd shaped fragile ornaments old recessed light bulb boxes are the best.
Case in point my wine cork ornaments.
5. Cardboard is your buddy when it comes to Christmas tree lights.
Put those gift boxes to good use. Cut a large enough piece (just guesstimate) and wrap your Christmas tree lights around it. Keeps them from tangling and saves you all that untangling heart ache come next holiday season.
6. Recycle more of the gift packaging.
If you were lucky enough to receive a tall gift like this Karaoke machine that my daughter got, save the carton! All my tree lights fit into that one box! Yay! All snug inside and labelled. I’m all set for next year.
7. Plastic bins, more plastic bins
Storing your holiday decor in clear plastic bins makes it for easier spotting when you want them again.
8. Use left over holiday ribbon to tie and label hanging garlands.
I don’t have any hanging garland but if you do then fold and wrap it around itself and secure with a piece of ribbon. On the ribbon label what place the garland belongs to; mantel, stairs, outdoors etc.
9. Reuse, Re-purpose
You don’t have to pack all your holiday stuff away at once. Sift through your stuff, I’m sure you’ll find many wintry items that you can use on your winter mantel or just around the house in winter. My poster board garland, some of the lights now dress up my winter mantel. More on that later in the week but for those of you wondering here’s a sneak peek.
10. When storing away many boxes store the items you’ll need last next year first.
For e.g. you’ll need the tree stand before the ornaments next year. So store your tree stand box in such a way that you can access it first next time, followed by your ornament boxes. You wouldn’t need the stockings until later so that box would most likely be the last one to come out, hence the first on to go in.
See ya tomorrow! Have you packed away your Christmas decorations?
Looking for Christmas decorating ideas? Don’t forget to checkout these posts…..
Nature Inspired Christmas Tree
Easy Christmas Wreath DIY
Our 2020 Rustic Glam Christmas Tree
Outdoor Christmas Planter
Our Red, White, and Gold Candy Cane Striped Christmas Tree
Our 2016 Peacock Themed Christmas Tree
Our 2015 Christmas Tree
DIY JOY Sign
Mini Christmas Cloche
Neutral Holiday Tablescape
Gift Tag Garland
How to Make a Snow Globe Terrarium
Christmas Decorating – Tree & DIY Ornaments
Getting a Head Start on Holiday Decorating
Reader Showcase – Jina’s Holiday Mantel
Holiday Crafting with Kids & Ornament Storage
Reader Showcase – Pinkz’ Holiday Home
Last Minute DIY Gift Ideas + a CASH Giveaway
Reader Showcase Rustic Glam Christmas Home Tour
Simple Holiday Centerpieces
Our 2014 Eclectic Christmas Tree
My Favorite 50 DIY Christmas Ornaments
Holiday Entertaining + A Nestle Giveaway!
Burlap Covered Faux Root Ball Tree Skirt
DIY Holiday Flower Arrangement
The Kids’ Tree – Starry Night Christmas Tree
How to Hang Christmas Tree Lights
Clay State Ornaments & A Linky Party!
Globe Ornament
Fabric Scraps Christmas Ornament
Snow Globe Ornament
Vintage Jello Mold Ornament
Marbles Ornament
Woodland Reindeer Ornaments
Easy Wine Cork Craft – Cork Ball Ornament
Glitter Swirl Ornament
How to Build a Terrarium Christmas Ornament
Sunburst Mirror Ornament
Santa Belt Ornament
Packing Up Christmas
Mini Boxwood Wreath
Vintage Lace Ornaments
Paper Ornaments
Bird Wine Cork Ornaments
Egg Carton Holiday Amaryllis Ornament
No Sew Poster Board Circles Garland
Simple, Serene, & Totally DIY’d Christmas Tree
My Rustic Christmas Mantel
Magnolia Wreath
Christmas Burlap Wreath
DIY Boxwood Wreath
Paper Straw Himmeli
My Christmas Mantel
Spreading Christmas Cheer
Our Nature Inspired Glam Christmas Tree
Alphabet Ornaments
Painted Clear Ornament
Tinsel Christmas Decorations
Glitter Dipped Pine Cone Ornament
Gilded Pine Cone Ornament Knockoff
Nice job Vidya. It really is a lot of work but worth it. Saving the shoe box is the best tip. I use them a lot too.
Thanks Reshma. Yes, I use shoe boxes around the house a lot too for storage.
It seems every year i use less, but need more space…thanks for the tips!!!
So true SSP! Cannot have enough space ever! You are welcome.
Vidya
How did you know I needed some help organizing my holiday stuff? 😉 This will definitely come in handy!
Danielle @ Busy Mom’s Helper
🙂 Glad I could help. Next year my husband is planning to get a real tree, so will have 2 tress to decorate. Hopefully all this organizing will save the day then!
Vidya