Superior Methods for Safekeeping Your Holiday Decorations
Dec 23rd 2022
When is the best moment to pack away your Christmas decorations? Some individuals tidy up right after Christmas Day. Others delay storing their Christmas items for several weeks, unwilling to part with the festive magic.
Many people fall somewhere in between, often completing the task in phases.
January 6, known as the Feast of the Epiphany, traditionally marks the conclusion of the Christmas season. The “12 Days of Christmas” popularized in the song actually pertains to the 12 days following the holiday, culminating in Epiphany, also referred to as the Feast of the Three Kings.
Getting Ready to Pack Away the Ornaments
No matter when you opt to do it, “putting away Christmas” can feel daunting. The holiday spirit that fueled your pre-Christmas decorating burst has likely faded, replaced by post-New Year's blues and a chill in the air. The excitement has waned.
Fortunately, there are strategies to help alleviate your post-Christmas stress – and make the next year's decorating even more streamlined.
Assess Your Christmas Storage & Supplies
To start, bring out all your holiday storage containers. Before you start refilling your bins and boxes, inspect them carefully. Are the plastic lids damaged? Are the boxes held together more by duct tape than by cardboard?
Replace any containers that are damaged or worn out. Depending on your storage location – usually a basement or attic – a cracked plastic bin or a battered cardboard box won't provide optimal protection. Cracks can allow moisture, dampness, and pests to enter, which could ruin velvet bows and Christmas lights – not to mention your cherished Christmas stockings. Boxes that are already half-crushed won't cushion fragile ornaments adequately.
Next, think about your initial decorating spree. Were you scurrying to find tape, ornament hangers, bulbs, hooks, ribbon, wire, string, or other supplies? Gather all these items now. Take advantage of post-Christmas sales for replacements. Then store them with your Christmas decorations so you're fully prepared for next year.
Downsize
Then, take a peek inside your storage bins. Was there anything left out during your Christmas decorating? Perhaps it's time to donate or recycle decorations that are worn out, broken, or no longer match your style. It's always a good moment to consolidate and save on storage space.
Organize Efficiently
Sort similar items together. Ornaments, candles, tabletop decor, greenery, and lights are some of the items you'll want to group. For example, having all your ornaments in one container can prevent damage. Artificial foliage might scratch delicate glass Christmas ornaments, which need additional padding to protect them from breaking. To avoid staining, keep scented or colored candles away from fabrics, like bows, stockings, and tree skirts.
Label your storage bins and note everything stored inside. This eliminates the guesswork when retrieving boxes next year.
Did you particularly enjoy a mantel or table setup? Photograph it and make relevant notes for next year. Title the file clearly, like “living room tabletop arrangement Christmas 2022,” and store it somewhere accessible, like in a folder labeled “Christmas 2022 Decorating Notes.” If you prefer a physical copy, print the photos and store them with the decorations.
Pack Carefully
Even if you're eager to finish the job, pack everything with care. Avoid cramming items together to prevent cracking, creasing, or other damage to your lovely Christmas decor.
Use ample packing materials, such as tissue paper, cardboard, bubble wrap, or paper towels, to cushion items and stop them from knocking or rubbing against each other.
Use small plastic containers or zipper-top plastic bags to keep tiny items together, like ornament hooks, spare Christmas light bulbs, fuses, beaded garlands, or gutter clips for your outdoor lights.
Storing Your Christmas Decorations
With everything organized, you're ready to start storing. What's the optimal way to store Christmas ornaments and decorations? Let's address each item one by one.
How to Store Your Artificial Christmas Tree
An artificial Christmas tree is one of those items that never seem to fit back into its original box. Also, a cardboard box isn't the best storage option as it deteriorates over time and doesn't protect the tree from moisture and pests.
Some people wrap their Christmas trees in bags from trunk to tip and store them upright, but this isn't practical if space is limited.
Fortunately, there are many alternative storage solutions, including storage bags, boxes, and containers. Find a storage bag that is appropriately sized for your tree, with features like waterproof material and robust handles. Some tree storage containers are designed for standing storage. Consider a storage bag with wheels for easier transport.
Depending on your tree type and preferred storage method, you may or may not need to disassemble your artificial tree. If you do, be sure to:
- Remove all ornaments and store them separately
- Unlit Tree – Remove lights and store them separately
- Pre-Lit Tree – Disconnect the lights at each tree section
- All Trees – Fold the branches inward starting from the top for compact storage.
After disassembling, you may have three or four sections plus the stand.
Place the largest section at the bottom of the storage bag, stacking the smaller sections and the stand on top.
Store your tree in a dry, out-of-the-way spot. Flocked trees, in particular, can discolor if exposed to humidity and extreme temperatures.
How to Store a Christmas Wreath and Garland
Many will cover their Christmas wreath with a large plastic or dry cleaning bag and place it on a shelf. However, a better option is to hang the wreath to maintain the frame's integrity.
Various kinds of wreaths…
might demand slightly varied maintenance. For example, although the branches of plain pine wreaths can be compressed for keeping, an ornament wreath should never have anything placed on top of it. These ornaments are designed to be shatterproof, ensuring they won't produce any sharp glass fragments, yet they can still crack. Additionally, the bulbs, trimmings, pinecones, and other embellishments on an adorned or pre-lit wreath could suffer damage from heavy pressure.
No matter the type of Christmas wreath you possess, it probably was a significant investment. To use your wreath for many more festive seasons, ensure it receives the care of proper storage.
Wreath storage bags are generally crafted from waterproof and tear-resistant fabric, providing exceptional protection against moisture, dust, and pests. Similar to a tree storage container, most wreath storage options include handles and zippers; some wreath bags also come with a practical storage hanger.
Consider acquiring an extra wreath storage container or two for storing your faux pine Christmas garland.
How to Store Christmas Ornaments
Are all your Christmas ornaments still in their original packaging? Probably not. Given how delicate the decorations they enclose are, Christmas ornament boxes are surprisingly delicate themselves.
Many individuals wrap their Christmas ornaments in tissue paper or bubble wrap, then stack them in a cardboard box or plastic container. Some use egg cartons for storage, which only works for certain sizes. One popular DIY trick found online uses disposable plastic cups to create individual storage compartments for ornaments.
If you're not keen on a DIY project, there are numerous options available for Christmas ornament storage. Simplify by keeping all your ornaments secure in the same container. Most ornament storage boxes come with divided trays to hold multiple ornaments, robust handles for easy transport, and secure zippered fittings. Opt for an adjustable ornament storage box to accommodate larger or irregularly shaped ornaments.
Best Way to Pack Christmas Decorations
What about all the Christmas knick-knacks accumulated over the years? Rather than stacking dozens of individual boxes on shelves, consolidate them in a couple of Christmas storage containers.
Christmas storage containers with cushioned interior sections provide an efficient solution for oddly shaped and delicate collectibles, such as Santa figures, Christmas village houses, and snow globes. Christmas Central even offers a special nutcracker storage box for your collection.
Best Way to Store Christmas Wrapping Paper & Bows
What do you do with extra Christmas wrapping paper post-holidays? Storing it in a closet risks wrinkles and tears before the next season. A spare dresser drawer or under-the-bed container is another common choice.
The ideal place to keep gift wrap is somewhere free from dust and dirt until needed.
The internet is brimming with ideas for wrapping paper storage. Get inventive by turning a laundry basket or a large waste basket into a standing bin for wrapping paper rolls. Alternatively, if space permits, set up a gift-wrapping station in a spare room.
If devoting a closet or room to gift wrap storage isn't feasible, consider a wrapping paper caddy. A gift wrap organizer can hold all your Christmas wrapping paper – even longer rolls – keeping them free from creases, tears, and dust. Some also have compartments for gift boxes, bags, ribbons, bows, tags, and other wrapping accessories. These organizers are tear-resistant and zip closed. There are over-the-door wrapping paper storage options, as well as containers that fit under the bed. Features may include carrying handles, hangers, or wheels for easy transportation. Deluxe models even prop up like a golf bag, creating a portable gift-wrapping station.
How to Store Christmas Lights
Before stowing away your Christmas lights, ensure the cords are intact, not frayed or cracked. Check the bulbs and replace any that are burned out to save yourself time next season. Clean off any dust or dirt from the bulbs and wires.
Stowing Christmas lights neatly is crucial. Despite careful storage, they always seem to emerge as a tangled mess come next year.
The internet offers many Christmas light organization tips using cardboard, paper towel rolls, clothes hangers, and even plastic wrap. However, if DIY isn't your thing, there's no need to create a homemade solution.
Christmas light storage reels are engineered to help you organize multiple strings of lights by swiftly winding them around a durable plastic spool. Come next year, simply unroll them for decoration. These reels allow you to store many strands together and also work great for keeping extension cords neat, tangle-free, and ready for use. They easily tuck into a zippered nylon carrying case, safeguarding lights from dust, dirt, and damage.
How to Store Outdoor Decorations & Inflatables
Protect your costly outdoor Christmas décor, such as wicker deer, inflatables, and other plastic and illuminated figures, by properly storing them.
After dismantling the decorations, bring them to a sheltered area like a garage or basement. Check for any damage, such as broken or burned-out bulbs and frayed cords. Clean any mud or debris thoroughly. Ensure all items are completely dry before storing them.
Some items may need disassembly. Inflatable decorations can be rolled or folded for storage, with cords securely fastened.
Plastic bins are a beloved storage method for larger decorations, but they can become very heavy. A lightweight, roomy Christmas tree storage bag can double as a storage solution for your sizable outdoor décor. Large Christmas storage units often have sturdy frames to prevent sagging when full and some even come with wheels for better maneuverability.
Christmas Managed
The thought of storing Christmas decorations need not be daunting. A bit of organization, paired with smart storage solutions, can simplify the task. You'll be thankful for your meticulous handling next festive season.
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