Post-Holiday Clean-Up & Organize
If you’re like me, you may be procrastinating putting away the holiday décor and lights. Perhaps you’re enjoying looking at that beautiful tree and décor one last time before moving on to deep winter.
So when you’re ready to start, try these 9 tips to make the clean-up and organizing process easier.
Sort, Organize & Store It’s important to store things correctly so they don’t break in storage and are ready for the next time you want to use them. Take the time, to sort through what you have. Toss things that are broken or beyond repair. Store décor with care and use proper storage containers. Use tissue paper and bubble wrap for more fragile items.
The Right Storage Container If you spent time and money on décor, you should also invest in storage containers to keep décor from breaking and in tip-top shape. Most storage containers can be bought on sale. Try these quick tips when selecting.
Clear bins are great to see what’s inside
Green and red lids make you associate with the holiday
Use ornament bins for ornaments
Use larger bins for bulkier items
Fabric or airtight? Ask yourself where it's being stored and then buy accordingly
The Wreath Storage Challenge Wreaths can be troublesome but with the right storage, they’ll keep in shape longer. If you don’t want to spend the extra money on wreath containers, consider using a garment bag or a clear zip storage bag. Make sure you have a wall to hang them on to keep them from getting rumbled or broken.
Stop Storing Bulky Packaging I’m one of the many to this offense. I tend to keep it for nostalgic purposes but bulky packaging takes up a lot of room in the bin. Not to mention how hard it is to get the ornament back in the plastic form again. If you invest in a few bulb storage carriers, ornaments can be stored safely. And -it’s a “win, win” when you don’t have to fight with the packaging anymore.
Store Hooks with Your Ornaments I know, crazy right? Yes, keep the hook on the bulb. Why take it off when you don’t have to? Cut down on decorating time by keeping the two together.
Store Like Items Together Sort, divide and store decorations by decorating zone. Use the following categories to help you get started: Tree, Entryway, Fireplace, Outside, Lights, etc. It will take less time to decorate and put away when the décor for one zone is stored in the same place.
Label Everything Even if the containers are clear, it’s important to label containers so you know what’s inside. You won’t have to take off the lids to find out what was stored in the box. For those of you who have a variety of ornaments that you switch out, label by color and theme.
String Lights Avoid the ball of a tangled mess by taking the time to store your lights the right way. Use a wheel or a piece of cardboard to wrap each strand. It will be easier the next time you take them out. For any string that doesn’t work, dispose of and replace.
Purge & Donate Now is the perfect time to get rid of décor you no longer use or no longer want. People are thrifting now to add to next year’s décor. Who doesn’t love a good bargain when you can get one?
Congrats on the Post Clean-Up Job!
If you like this article but don’t think you can tackle this project on your own, please get in touch. I’d love to help you organize your holiday décor.