Organizing Christmas Decorations

Date Posted: Dec 12, 2007

Before you store your Christmas decorations, think about how you use them. When deciding upon what kind of containers to use, consider the places you have where you can store your decorations. Do you have under-the-stairs storage, an attic, a basement, under-the-eaves, a storage shed, or other location? Make certain your storage containers will fit your storage space, and that they will protect your decorations. Do not be tempted to purchase containers just because they are on sale (many are on sale after the holidays). Buy containers that fit your specific organization constraints. Corrugated boxes with lids and handle openings and clear plastice containers are good choices. Containers that are stackable are typically desired and make certain that you clearly label each one.

If decorating a little at a time instead of all at once, organizing your decorations into categories will make decorating more efficient and save time. For example, you can decorate the mantle one evening, the bannister another, the front door and porch one day, and the tree later. If you decorate a mantle, then put everything you need for the mantle in one container. If you use angel hair on a mantle, store a pair of gloves in the box so that you can handle the angel hair safely and know that you will have them year after year without having to look for them.

Put everything you use for decorating a bannister together in a separate container. If you use lights for the bannister, put them in the bannister box. Resist the urge to store all Christmas lights together. Store them the way you use them. A good way to store lights is to curl them into a circle and lay them in between sheets of newsprint paper. It is helpful to add directions to yourself. For examplel, write a not that says, wind the greenery through every third bannister rung.

A similar logice can be used for decorations that go one the front porch. Additional containers can be used for tree decorations. Don't feel like you have to use a container that comes with inserts for balls if many of your ornaments are of various shapes and sizes. It might serve your needs better to put breakable ornaments in bubble wrap or individual boxes and then put them into the large ornament container.

Label containers so that they will be easy to retrieve. The time you spend in organizing this way will pay off when you decorate for the holidays next year.