Ornament Organizing

Tips for Organizing Christmas Decorations

1. PLASTIC STORAGE CONTAINERS are ideal for storing decorations.
They will keep them free from getting wet, from mildew and from being crushed. If you cannot afford to buy what you need this season, buy what you can and then buy some throughout the year. Try to purchase red and green boxes so you know which ones contain your Christmas decorations.

2. CHRISTMAS LINENS
Store linens, rugs, towels, blankets, etc. in a suitcase, plastic storage bin or on an unused shelf. Put scented dryer sheets in between them to keep them smelling fresh.

3. CHRISTMAS WREATHS
Store them in a wreath box or box that will keep their shape. Another option is to hang them covered in the garage or a storage room.

4. CHRISTMAS TREES
The best thing for preserving Christmas trees is a Christmas tree bag. Some of them let you put the entire tree in together so you do not have to take it apart.

5. ORNAMENTS
Ornaments do best in the box they came in, but sometimes the box gets ruined or you can’t figure out which box the ornament goes into. When this happens wrap the ornaments in tissue, paper towels, or even newspaper. Another option is to fill your storage container with shredded paper and put the ornaments in. Egg cartons and Styrofoam cups can be used to place ornaments in, too. Whatever you use, place them in a plastic storage bin. Leave the hooks on the ornaments when storing. This will make it easier for you next year. You won’t have to be looking for ornament hangers or detangling them.

6. CHRISTMAS CANDLES
Wrap paper towels around each candle or put them in an old sock to keep them from scratching. Put them somewhere it will not get very hot so they do not begin to melt or get deformed.

7. CHRISTMAS LIGHTS
Put away lights in a neat manner. Wrap them around your hand and elbow. Take them off your arm and tie them in two places with string or twist ties. Throw away lights that do not work. Store them in a plastic bin. For net lights fold them and tie them to keep each net separate. Another option is to store each set in a plastic bag.

8. LABEL EACH BOX
Make a detailed inventory of what is in each box and put it on the box. You may want to number the boxes so you know how many you have. When numbering try to number them in the order you may use them. Think of which items you want to get out first and put them in box #1.

9. PUT DECORATIONS IN THE BOXES ACCORDING TO ROOMS.
For example, decorations from your family room should go in one box. Christmas tree decorations from the living room should be in another box.

10. USE TISSUE PAPER TO WRAP DELICATE ITEMS.
Whether it be ornaments, table décor, etc. You can also purchase unprinted newspaper from a moving supply area of a store. This works good and is less expensive than tissue. Bubble wrap is another good option.

11. WHEN TAKING DOWN GARLAND, DRAPE IT OVER YOUR ARM,
or have the storage bin beside you and layer it into the container as you take it down. This will enable you to take it out untangled for the next season. Place any décor that was on it in the bin and wrap it in tissue.