Happy New Year!
The holidays have come and gone, and we are now in the part of the year, where we’re equally optimistic about new beginnings filled with resolutions for a better you and annoyed at the fact that we must put up our holiday decorations. Those holiday decorations were glorious, weren’t they? But it’s time for them to go & time to get ourselves organized for 2024.
As you know, I am big on Christmas…like real B I G. There is a Christmas tree in almost every room, and let’s not even discuss the copious amounts of garland that we own. To say that I must be super organized with our holiday decor is an understatement. Throughout the years of my Christmas hoarding, I have learned quite a few things that have streamlined my storage process. So, if you are looking for ideas on Christmas organization, and how I keep up with seven Christmas trees and all their friends, keep on reading!
Tip #1: Separate things by what can be stored in heat (attic/garage) vs. what cannot.
Be careful with what you store in the garage and attic. Delicate ornaments and items made of fabric and paper or that are sensitive to humidity should not be stored in the attic and garage. If you accidentally store things that cannot withstand heat or cold, you will be sorely disappointed the following year when you take them out. I store lights, outdoor garland & decor, any wooden items, and any inexpensive items, that are easily replaceable in the attic/garage. Here are a few things that have made our life easier:
Christmas Light Storage: https://amzn.to/3NPAagO
This item has been a game changer! No more tangled lights & fights that result because of said tangled lights. This option looks pretty good as well & it has a 10% off coupon https://amzn.to/3RMhv6K
Storage Bins: https://amzn.to/3H5wi7N
These clear storage bins not only allow you to see what is inside of them, but they block out humidity (very important for safe climate storage) and they are stackable. I use them for both indoor and outdoor storage.
Label Everything
Normally I use regular name labels and permanent markers, but I decided to up my game this year with these smart labels https://amzn.to/3RMh8Jo
Tip #2: Organize things by room or type.
Organizing things this way not only simplifies next year’s decorating, but also makes it faster. I do a combination of organizing items by room and by type. The kids’ rooms, dining, and playrooms are organized & stored by room. The living room décor and garlands are organized by type.
Garland Storage:
I use this bag to store all our wreaths and garlands. I love them because they aren’t too big to carry and I can hang them on a hanger in our spare closet or on a nail, which means they don’t take up floor space. They fit much more than you think! I was able to fit all the garlands that I use on our stairs. That includes 3 lighted garland and the four eucalyptus garlands, that I intertwin with them. Depending on the size of your wreaths, you can typically fit 2-3 in each bag. I buy the large size. Garland Storage: https://amzn.to/48nXVF5
This option has over 4K reviews, is clear, and on sale https://amzn.to/48nY6QL
Christmas Tree Storage
I use this bag to store our trees. A BIG bonus is that it has wheels, which makes it super easy to carry! If you have a 12ft tree like our living room one, this bag is great.
Christmas Tree Storage: https://amzn.to/3S3qBNV
Ornament Storage
Storing each tree’s ornaments separately has really made our lives easier! Now all I have to do is go straight to the bins labeled “Dining Room”/”Living Room” and I have everything I need for that particular tree. It’s also amazing to not have to dig through individual ornament boxes!
Ornament Storage: https://a.co/d/cLIKuXK
We have an extensive Nutcracker collection. I’ve tried so many ways of storing them including standing them up on the top shelf of a closet (they got dusty) and using plastic bins (scratches). As our collection grows, I am slowly buying more and more of these bags to safely store them. Nutcracker Storage: https://amzn.to/4aIUFG4
That is it for now! Happy New Year and cheers to a wonderful & organized 2024!