How to Store Christmas Decorations
The part of Christmas decorating most people would prefer not to do is the dreaded tear down and store. There are ways to make next year (and every year afterward) easier, quicker and less frustrating. It starts this year when you take down and store your Christmas decorations.
Containers are essential, and not just any container will do. The right containers for you will depend on your storage area and your decorations. Multiple medium sized containers may work best for one person, while two really large ones might work best for another. Just keep in mind where and what you're storing when you get your containers.
Make sure your containers have fitted lids. It makes for easier stacking and keeps dust and pests out. Cardboard boxes will work, of course, but once you've used plastic containers with lids you'll never go back to using cardboard again. If storage space is at a premium in your home, consider wide and shallow under the bed storage containers.
The cost of large containers can be prohibitive after blowing your Christmas budget sky high, so take advantage of after Christmas sales to help ease the pain. Also consider adding just one container this year and another one the next to spread out the cost.
Use the original boxes when possible for your ornaments. Factory packaging has already endured shipping and stocking while keeping the ornament(s) in good condition. The original packaging may take up more space but the benefit of the protection they provide should make it worth while. You'll have the added bonus of the relative ease of packing boxes together in larger containers vs. many odd sized items.
The best wrapping for precious and fragile individual ornaments is bubble wrap. Bubble wrap can be bought in large roles at most discount department stores and office supply stores. Think Wal-Mart or Staples. There is no better protection for glass or hand-made ornaments.
It's never possible to get the lights back in to their original boxes. Eliminating 100% of tangles is rarely possible either but you can reduce most of the tangling (and next year's frustration) by coiling your light strands and using a twist tie or a strip of tape to secure the looped strand.
Lay the two wrapped strands (or however many you have room for) beside each other in the storage container, and lay heavy paper, or pieces of cardboard, on top. Repeat. Layering the wrapped strands in this manner will protect the bulbs and eliminate most tangling of the wires.
Use small lidded containers for the ornament hangers, spare bulbs, and fuses to keep them separated. Pack those in with the lights. Tinsel garlands can be coiled in much the same way as the lights.
Use these tips to store your Christmas decorations after the holidays this year. You'll be glad you did for every year afterward. Think of it as a lasting Christmas present to yourself.
Happy Holidays!
