Christmas can sometimes feel like a very overwhelming and hectic time of year. Home decorations, parties, presents, and so much more go into the typical "Christmas celebration" that many families and homeowners celebrate year after year.
Finding simple to manage to organizing solutions for all your holiday decor can go a long way in helping to relieve some of the stress of the holidays, helping you feel prepared, in control, and confident in the holiday decor you have before purchasing more.
Check out the following options for storing common holiday decor to keep it organized, safe, and ready for the next season!
Christmas Tree
For those families who choose to go artificial rather than real for their Christmas tree, having the proper space to store the tree becomes vital in the home.
Depending on the size of the tree, you will likely store it in a basement or a garage. Both of these areas make items susceptible to the elements, bugs & dirt.
Consider using a horizontal Tree Storage Bag that is sturdy and comes in a variety of sizes. They also have a handy label spot on the outside to easily identify the contents.
You can also do upright storage if you have the space to accommodate the tree stored in this fashion.
No matter the option you choose, before storing the tree brush the branches to clear and debris and flatten the branches carefully, especially if it has lights built into the tree. If using a horizontal bal, Mary Cornetta suggests positioning the tree sections as if they were a "pair of shoes in a box, with the pole in the centre" for easy assembly and disassembly at the start and end of the holiday season.
Tree Ornaments
Ornaments and other tree-trimming decor such as garlands and tree toppers can be very delicate and easily break if not stored properly.
To make sure all your ornaments stay in tacked, and easy to find in your basement/garage storage, consider using ornament store boxes. These come in a variety of sizes depending on the number of ornaments you need to store.
The boxes are made of fabric (or plastic) that will keep the items safe from the elements and include cardboard dividers inside so each ornament has its own special home.
Finally, you can label the outside of the box so you can easily find and identify it on your shelves in the basement/garage.
Lights (Indoor / Outdoor)
Christmas decorations are not just contained to the tree! Sometimes, we like to decorate the exterior (and interior) of our homes with beautiful lights to admire throughout the holidays.
Strings of lights can easily become tangled and damaged either by electrical shorts or exposure to the elements if they are stored properly,
Consider using Light Storage Holders that allow you to wind the strings of lights to prevent tangles. These can either be stored in Storage Bags on reels or inside durable, plastic containers with other holiday decor. Or in a plastic bin for lights.
Outdoor lights should be stored with exterior decor such as inflatables, to keep them separate from the indoor-only lights. Also, be sure to test the strings of lights to make sure they still work or if you have a burnt-out light that needs replacing. (this was always my job as a kid!).
Chrismas Wreaths & Garland
Sometimes decorations for Christmas can be both large and delicate. Perfect examples of this are wreaths and garlands.
To make sure these items are kept away from the elements, and easily accessible when it comes to decorating for the holidays, consider using Wreaths and Garland Bags. These are durable, sturdy fabric bags that come in a variety of sizes, depending on the size of your items. They can have either a clear plastic or solid fabric cover with a spot to label. You can also get them in plastic if that is preferred.
Wrapping Paper
Wrapping paper, tissue paper, ribbons, gift tags, gift bags all these small items can easily become lost and disorganized if they are not properly managed (especially year after year!).
To keep all of these items on hand so you can wrap like a pro, consider using a wrapping paper storage container.
You can get these as a horizontal fabric bag with compartments for small items, deep storage for multiple roles of wrapping paper, and a handy label slot on the outside. The items inside are securely stored so they can be stored vertically or horizontally, depending on the space you have available.
If space is tight, you can also get it as a stand-up plastic container that has a top compartment to store all the small items such as ribbons, gift tags, tape, scissors and more!
Either option will ensure that the wrapping paper stays out of the elements, and is ready for your next gift-wrapping session (even if it isn't Christmas!)
Christmas Home Decor
So what do you do with the Christmas decor that does not fit one of the categories above? Not to fear, there are organizing solutions for those items too!
To keep these items protected from the elements, it is best to store them in plastic bins. These can be either solid or transparent (depending on your taste) and you can use a variety of sizes to meet the needs of your Christmas decor items.
When storing them, be sure to wrap fragile items in tissue paper or bubble wrap to make sure they don't break during transport, and that you keep consistent with the type of containers for all your Christmas items so they can easily be identified among the other items stored in your basement/garage. If space is sparse, look for stackable bins. Also, most importantly, don't forget to label the outside of the bins so you know exactly what's inside.
Final Thoughts...
As important as it is to have the proper items to store your Christmas decorations, it is just as important, if not more important to remember to declutter the Christmas decor you have before purchasing new. Setting up the home for the holidays is the perfect opportunity to use the 365 rule and toss or donate Christmas items you no longer need/want, or are broken and beyond repair.
Finally, if storing these items in the basement or garage, be sure they are in sealable, durable containers that can either be stacked, or placed on shelves to prevent deterioration.
As a Professional Organizer, I've helped many clients organize and sift through their Christmas decor, and all of them have felt relieved and less anxious about both locating and accessing their holiday items when the time comes.
By investing in practical storage solutions, like ornament boxes, wrapping paper organizers, and holiday decoration bins, you can streamline the process of setting up and taking down your festive decor.
Don't underestimate the power of organization! A little can go a long way in creating a magical and memorable Christmas experience for you and your loved ones.
Happy organizing and happy holidays! 🎄
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About the Author: Brittany Smith lives in Ottawa, Canada with her husband and feline furbaby Zoey. She is a Certified Professional Organizer, Owner, and Founder of Control the Chaos, a Professional Organizing business that provides personalized in-home, virtual and digital organizing services aimed at transforming anyone's chaos into calm.
