The Christmas season is a magical time, but once the decorations come down, the task of storing them away can often put a damper on those high festive spirits.
With so many ornaments, lights and other items to consider, it’s difficult to know where to start. Fortunately, with a little planning and organisation, you can store your Christmas decorations effectively and efficiently ready for the next festive season.
Organise by category
One of the best ways to store your Christmas decorations successfully is to organise them by category. This will make it much easier to find what you need when it’s time to decorate next year. Consider dividing your decorations into the following categories:
- Ornaments: Glass, ceramic and plastic ornaments of all shapes and sizes.
- Lights: String lights, tree lights and other lighting decorations.
- Wreaths and garlands: This includes wreaths for doors and windows, as well as garlands for trees and mantles.
- Tree stands and skirts: The stand or base that holds your Christmas tree, as well as the skirt that covers the base.
- Miscellaneous decorations: This includes anything else that doesn’t fit into the above categories, such as nativity sets, snow globes and Christmas-themed figurines.
Tangle-free Christmas lights
One of the most frustrating aspects of storing Christmas lights is dealing with tangles. To prevent this from happening, try the following tips:
- Winding the lights around a cardboard tube will keep them organised and prevent them from becoming tangled.
- Using a clip or binder clip to secure the end of the light string will prevent the Christmas lights from unravelling.
- Store your Christmas lights in a plastic bag or Ziploc bag to protect them from dust and damage.
Protect fragile ornaments
Fragile ornaments, such as those made from glass or ceramic, can be easily damaged during storage if not dealt with carefully. To protect them, you could try the following tips:
- Wrap each ornament individually in tissue paper, as this will help to cushion the ornaments and prevent them from breaking.
- Place the wrapped ornaments in a box or container to protect the ornaments from being crushed or scratched. You should also avoid stacking the containers too high as this can increase the risk of potential damage.
Storage containers
When choosing storage containers for your decorations, it’s important to select ones that are sturdy, durable and easy to handle. Consider using the following types of containers:
- Plastic bins: These are a great option for storing ornaments, lights and other decorations.
- Cardboard boxes: A good choice for storing larger items such as tree stands and skirts.
- Vacuum-sealed bags: These can be used to store bulky items, such as wreaths and garlands.
Space-saving techniques
If you’re short on storage space, there are a few things you can do to save room. You could store your decorations in the attic or loft, as this is a great way to free up space in your home and keep items out of the way until the next festive season.
If you don’t have access to this sort of space, you could instead utilise the likes of under-bed storage containers or wardrobes in a spare room.
