How to Organize Christmas Decorations
It is that time of year to get out the Christmas decorations and make the house look festive for the holidays. Now if only we could find them, there are a ton of boxes in storage and none of them look familiar. If only we had labeled them and organized them, it would make it so simple. This year we are going to do things the right way and organize our Christmas decorations, lights, ornaments, table decorations and enjoy the holidays without the stress.
CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS-How to Organize Them
Label It - If you have fashioned the perfect length garland for your stairway, don't just shove it in a box with all of the other garlands. Label it by using a tie-on tag or even a 3x5 card attached with a twist tie. Or, put it in a separate labeled box, or into a marked white plastic trash bag.
|
|
Keep Parts Together - Tape a bag of extra light bulbs to the end of the light string... leave that just right size extension cord with your lit Santa... store the wreath hanger with your wreath decorations. Keep the floor protecting plastic with your tree stand, holiday placemats with holiday dishes, etc.
Make an "Open First" Box - Buy one large brightly colored plastic bin (or make a large colored sign for a cardboard box). This will help you to easily find it next year. Use the box to store the items you'll need "first" during the holidays. It might include your tree stand, holiday cards, gift tags, wreath decorations, cookie cutters, extension cords, and special holiday display decorations.
|
|
Paper or Plastic? - Some experts recommend that treasured ornaments should not be stored in plastic boxes due to concerns about trapped humidity. However, I've used plastic for years and haven't had a problem. The advantage to plastic is that it won't "break down" over time the way cardboard does, and it is easily washed. And decorations are easily visible through clear sides, making it easier to find what you need. However, if humidity is a concern, you may want to consider cardboard boxes, use silica packets to control humidity levels, or store keepsakes inside a drier area of your home.
Make an Ornament "Hanger Parts" Box - Use a shoebox size plastic bin to store ornament hangers. Keep it handy in your "first box" and fill it with hooks, rolls of small ribbon, cording, scissors, tags, twist ties, and craft wire. Use the ribbon to replace broken ornament ties or lengthen current ones. You might also add a dash of color and uniformity to your tree by replacing all ornament ties with a special color.
Lights - Wind lights neatly in your hand or around a cardboard paddle or tube. Keep all lights together in a large plastic tub. Use individual Zip-lock storage bags to separate light strings with a special purpose (for wreaths, tiny trees, etc.) and clearly mark the use on the bag. On top of all the lights place the extension cords you use for your holiday tree and other decorations, marked and ready for next year. Lights can be marked with permanent marker on the plug in your own code ("50-Tw" = 50 twinkling lights).
Ribbons and Bows - Many types of ribbons will survive well if packed loosely in a plastic box. Watch out for metal wires touching the ribbons however, especially if you live in a humid area, as some wires may rust and stain fabrics. To avoid this, take the bows apart and wind the flat pieces around cardboard tubes, then roll in a piece of tissue paper to keep it from unrolling. (Don't use rubber bands or pins.)
Wreaths - Artificial wreaths can be kept successfully from year to year. Remove wired or metal decorations if you're worried about rust. Place the wreath in a wreath box, in a large square box, or even in a large plastic trash bag. If you have room you might even hang the wreath on a wall in your garage or basement and cover it securely with plastic to keep it dust-free.
Ornament Tip - Before you put ornaments away, take a few minutes to label the special ones with a gold paint pen or permanent marker. Write the year and the names in an inconspicuous spot.
Glass Ball Ornaments - Reuse the original boxes if sturdy enough. Otherwise use one of the divided storage boxes available in home centers. The important thing with glass is to keep ornaments apart and to cushion them somewhat from bumps.
Individual Ornaments - To store the one-of-a-kind ornaments we all love to collect, you have a few options. My favorite is to separate them by type or theme (angels, rustic, bears, etc.), then store like ornaments together in plastic boxes. Use plenty of white tissue paper to cushion each layer. This method is especially good for long, tall, or unusual shaped decorations that might not fit easily into a regular ornament box. Mark the boxes, or leave a few decorations visible through the plastic box so you can tell what's inside.