How to Arrange Your Holiday Decorations

Home Improvement

Organized decorations are less prone to damage. See more Christmas pictures.
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Even after the holidays are over and the leftovers have been consumed, the task of storing away all of the holiday decorations can still be daunting. Many people just throw their lights, ornaments, and garlands into boxes or plastic bins with little to no organization. However, this may lead to the annual traditions of spending nights untangling holiday lights and gluing broken ornaments back together, which can be tedious and time-consuming.

But there are ways to avoid these tedious rituals. You can resolve to get your holiday decorations organized this year. Putting in a little extra time and effort now can mean less wasted time several months from now when you are ready to take all of your decorations out again. Imagine how pleasant it would be to take out your untangled, unbroken decorations from their boxes and place them around your home with a cup of tea in one hand and music playing in the background. Getting organized now can potentially increase your enjoyment of many holiday seasons to come.

However, keep in mind that there is a difference between “getting organized” and “being organized.” According to the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO), organization is an ongoing effort that involves changing old habits into new ones. “Getting organized” is the first step in this process, and that is what you will learn more about in this article. The first step is taking inventory.

 

Taking Inventory of Holiday Decorations

Before you start organizing, you need to figure out what you have. If you have been accumulating decorations over a number of years, the first thing to do is pull out your storage bins or boxes and look inside. Are there any decorations still in there? Many people hold onto broken or unused decorations for no reason other than it seems wrong to throw them away. But in doing so, you may be losing several inches of storage space in each container. So take a few minutes and a plastic garbage bag, and decide whether those unused decorations should go in the trash, be recycled, or be given away to someone who might actually use them.

The next step is to gather up all of your holiday decorations and place them in one area or room of your home. Try bringing your boxes or storage bins there too. If you have a tree full of ornaments and lights, you might just gather everything near the tree and go from there. Decide whether you are going to store your indoor and outdoor decorations separately. Many people choose to store their outdoor decorations in the garage while their indoor decorations go into the basement or attic.

Once you have collected your decorations into one place and your boxes or bins are within sight, you may have a better idea of how many containers you need and whether the containers you have are adequate. Sometimes things that are packed away properly might take up a little more space. For example, your fragile decorations may be better protected if packed inside newspaper or small individual boxes rather than crushed dangerously into a corner of the bin. So, if you need an extra container, now is a great time to get one.

After completing the previous step, you should now be prepared to proceed to the next stage. Continue reading to discover techniques for organizing your decorations.

Recycling!

Both old holiday lights and used holiday cards can be recycled. For instance, St. Jude’s Ranch runs a holiday card recycling program that repurposes used cards into new ones [source: St. Jude’s Ranch]. There are also multiple programs that enable you to send in your old incandescent light strings for recycling. Some of these even offer incentives, such as coupons or discounts on LED holiday lights [source: Holiday LEDs].

Organizing Holiday Decorations

Now that you have eliminated any damaged ornaments from your storage containers, you can start organizing the decorations you genuinely use. Begin by determining the categories in which you want to divide your decorations. You may opt for categories such as lights, ornaments, and table decorations. Alternatively, you may prefer to sort the decorations by room. Once you have decided on the categories, proceed to sort the decorations. Create piles of decorations that belong to each category, and establish new categories if necessary. You may use index cards to label your piles with the appropriate category name [source: ABC, Just Organized, LLC].

Once you have finished sorting, it is advisable to position your containers near the piles. Select the appropriate number of containers for each pile. If some categories have only a few items, you may decide to combine them into a single container. Next, remove any old labels from the containers and create new labels that correspond to your new categories. A label maker is ideal for this task, but you can also use masking tape and a permanent marker [source: Just Organized, LLC].

Another idea to consider is assigning numbers to your containers. Consider the way you usually decorate your home each year. If you typically set up the tree first, followed by the knick-knacks and then the dining room table, label these bins 1, 2, and 3. This will be beneficial if someone else in your family is responsible for retrieving the bins from their storage location and transporting them to where they are needed. For example, if the first bin you need is for tree lights, you could label it “#1 Tree Lights” [source: Just Organized, LLC].

You are now prepared to begin packing. For storage recommendations as you embark on the final phase of this process, continue reading.

Helpful Tips

In 11 months, you may not recall many of the things that are at the forefront of your mind right now. Therefore, as you sort through your decorations, compile a list of items you will require next year. If you know you need new candles for the menorah or a new star for the tree, write it down. Then, place the list on top of whatever you pack in the first bin you plan to open.

Storing Holiday Decorations

When it is time to pack your decorations into containers, it is generally best to place heavy items at the bottom of each container and lighter items on top of them. Avoid packing a container too tightly that it is difficult to close the lid. This is not good for your decorations and does not leave space for new ones.

Here are some specific storage recommendations for various types of decorations:

When it comes to packing holiday decorations, lights are the most difficult item to store as they can easily become tangled. One option is to wrap them around a piece of thick cardboard or use a plastic version with notches for the strands. Another idea is to store each strand individually in a plastic grocery bag. Additionally, some people wrap their lights around empty coffee cans before storage. For tree ornaments, wrap them carefully in protective covering such as newspaper or tissue paper. You can also use special storage containers with small cells designed for ornaments or empty liquor boxes with cardboard dividers to separate them. For other delicate items such as holiday dishware, wrap them in paper and place them in small plastic boxes for added protection. If you plan on purchasing plastic containers for your decorations, you can go for clear containers or holiday color-coded ones. Clear containers allow you to easily see what’s inside and can be recycled for future use. On the other hand, color-coded containers are easily recognizable, such as red and green for Christmas items and orange and black for Halloween items. For more information on organizing your life, visit the links provided.

FAQ

1. What is the best way to store holiday decorations?

The best way to store holiday decorations is to keep them in a cool, dry place. You can use plastic bins or boxes with lids to store them. Make sure to label the boxes with the type of decorations inside so you can easily find them next year.

2. How do I organize holiday lights?

One way to organize holiday lights is to wrap them around a piece of cardboard or a spool designed for this purpose. You can also use a plastic bin or bag to store them. Make sure to label the container or bag with the type of lights inside.

3. What is the best way to store holiday wreaths?

The best way to store holiday wreaths is to use a specialized wreath storage container. You can also use a large plastic bag or cover them with a sheet. Make sure to store them in a cool, dry place.

4. How should I store holiday ornaments?

Holiday ornaments can be stored in individual boxes or compartments in a larger storage container. You can also use egg cartons or cardboard dividers to keep them separate. Make sure to label the container with the type of ornaments inside.

5. How do I organize holiday wrapping supplies?

One way to organize holiday wrapping supplies is to use a designated storage container with compartments for wrapping paper, bows, ribbons, and tape. You can also use a hanging organizer to keep everything easily accessible.

6. What should I do with holiday items I no longer use?

If you have holiday items that you no longer use, consider donating them to a local charity or thrift store. You can also sell them online or have a yard sale. This will help declutter your storage space and benefit others.

7. How often should I go through my holiday decorations?

You should go through your holiday decorations at least once a year to determine what items you no longer need or want to keep. This will help keep your storage space organized and prevent clutter.

8. How can I make the most of a small storage space?

If you have a small storage space, consider using stackable storage containers or hanging organizers to maximize the space. You can also use wall-mounted shelves or hooks to keep items off the floor.

9. How do I keep holiday decorations from getting damaged?

To keep holiday decorations from getting damaged, make sure to store them in a cool, dry place away from sunlight and moisture. Use protective padding or tissue paper for fragile items and avoid stacking heavy items on top of each other.

10. Should I label my holiday decorations?

Yes, labeling your holiday decorations is essential for easy organization and retrieval. Make sure to label each container with the type of decorations inside and any other pertinent information, such as the year or location used.

11. How can I make decorating easier next year?

To make decorating easier next year, consider taking photos of your decorations before you put them away. This will help you remember where everything goes and how it was arranged. You can also make a list of any items you need to purchase or replace for next year.

12. What is the best time to organize holiday decorations?

The best time to organize holiday decorations is immediately after the holidays, while everything is still fresh in your mind. This will also give you plenty of time to make any necessary repairs or replacements before the next holiday season.