Tips for Organizing Your Christmas Decor!
Now that the Christmas season is winding down, you may be starting to think about getting all of your decor put away. I’m sharing some tips on the best ways to store all of your Christmas decor to minimize breakage and easily locate what you need when this time rolls around next year!
Before you begin putting everything away, I highly recommend you take photos of all of your decor set up an in place. This will help you immensely and serve as a reference guide next year when you are putting our your decor again. I would also put them in a separate “folder” on your phone so you can easily locate the pictures you took!
As you are putting your items away, if there were left over items you didn’t use this year, you more than likely won’t use them next year. So, take this time to throw away broken items or donate the ones you just won’t use anymore. There’s no need to take up space (and time unpacking) items you just won’t use anymore. Plus, you already have the boxes out of storage, so it’s the perfect time to tackle this project!
Label, Label, Label!! Even if you think “I’ll remember what’s in here,” Thanksgiving is 11 momths away, that’s a long time to remember the contents of one box in storage. I recommend labeling by either room OR style (or both!) so when it’s time to decorate, you can simply put those items back in those rooms.
PRO TIP: Print the photos you took of your space, and tape them to the outside of the box. That way, you will not only know what’s IN the boxes, but also where they go!
01. Wrapping Cart
This is a new item for me this year, and let’s just say I am OBSESSED. I loaded it up with all my Christmas wrapping essentials, and it’s honestly made my wrapping sessions so much easier. When I need it, I roll it out to the living room (wine + Christmas flicks after the kiddos are in bed), and when I’m done, it rolls right back into my mudroom for my next wrapping session.
Here’s how I have it set up.
TOP SHELF:
One Large Acrylic Bin (Scissors, Pens & Markers)
One Small Acrylic Bin (Tape)
One Medium Acrylic Bin (Ribbon)
One Lazy Susan (Bows)
BOTTOM SHELF:
2 Tall Acrylic Bins (Tissue Paper)
1 Acrylic Freezer Bin (Small Ornament Bags - the size just worked perfectly for these bags! I use them every year for the handmade ornaments the girls make for gifts)
1 Magazine Holder (Large & Small Gift Bags and Tags)
02. Over The Door Wrapping Paper Organizer
If I had room for this, THIS is what I would be using to store my everyday wrapping supplies. I love the Elfa brand of closet organizers, and this is no exception. This modular design allows you to adjust to exactly what you need.
03. Under The Bed Wrapping Organizer
This is the exact item we use to store our everyday wrapping paper that doesn’t go in the attic (birthday, baby showers, etc.) I have mine set up almost exactly like this (except bows go in the large container) and it’s the perfect size for us. Since we have a smaller home with no dedicated storage room (thank you, lake living!), we always utilize under the bed space for extra storage.
04. Wreath Storage Bag
We have 2 large wreaths, one above our mantle and one above our bed and we store them in a similar bag to this. Each of ours is pre-decorated with ornaments, so I want to ensure that they are properly stored. This 36” bag could definitely handle both of ours!
05. Christmas Tree Storage Bag
Some people like to keep their trees in the box they came in. Let me just tell you, from experience, I would NOT recommend that. My Mom stored hers in the box, only to see water had leaked causing her gorgeous white flocked tree to be totally covered in mold on one side. These bags will protect your tree from dust, insects and moisture so you can enjoy your tree for years to come.
06. Ornament Storage
This two layer ornament organizer is perfect for fragile or heirloom pieces. With two trays it can hold up to 36 ornaments and the configuration makes it easy to store large or oddly shaped ornaments. Plus, the front zipper pocket makes it easy to store garlands or floral picks.
I recommend sorting ornaments by color, design, or which tree they go on.
07. Large Item Storage Bins
For your larger items like a figurine Santa Claus or tabletop trees, I use these large Sterilite Totes. For labeling, I simply tape a sheet of printer paper with what’s inside to the outside of the box. This is super quick & easy and can be easily changed the next year if your decor changes. I recommend labeling by room, or by theme for a more convenient decorating experience next year.
08. Under Bed Storage Tote for Ornaments & Garlands
I have several of these bins that I use for ornaments (especially the larger ‘filler ornaments, garlands, and floral picks.
PRO TIP: These can also be used for your wrapping paper if you have too much for option #1.
09. Bubble Wrap Pouches
The best kept secret in Christmas decor. Forget all those little pieces of bubble wrap or old newspaper pages to wrap your ornaments in. These are little bubble wrap bags you can put all your small Christmas Decor in. From nativity scene figurines to breakable ornaments, these things are AMAZING and will honestly transform the way you put away, and take out, your Christmas decor. These are resealable but I never do and reuse them year after year!
10. Vertical Wrapping Paper Storage
If you skip the bows & frill and just go with the straight paper route for your wrapping, this vertical wrapping station is perfect for you. I use mine with with my Christmas Wrapping Cart (mentioned above), and it’s a perfect way to easily see everything I have.
11. Christmas Figurine Box
This Christmas Figurine Box is perfect for all of your santa’s, nutcrackers, even your nativity scenes. I love the transparent side so you can easily identify what’s in the box!
12. Christmas Light Storage
This polyester storage bag for your Christmas lights is the best way to keep your lights from getting tangled. This is the perfect way to avoid the giant “ball of lights” so reminiscent of the legendary Clark Griswold.
13. Christmas Light or Garland Storage
If you DO like to channel your inner Clark Griswold and “deck out” (pun intended) your entire home in lights. This four pack of storage boxes is just what you need. Each box can hold up to 1,600 stranded lights, making it perfect for you Christmas light fanatics.
14. Christmas China Storage
When all of your dinner guests go home, and it’s time to put away your Christmas China, I highly recommend designated China storage. Simply storing them in a large box is a recipe for breakage, and your heirloom pieces deserve to be protected. Nobody wants to scour the depths of eBay to find the dinner plate to replace a broken piece!
15. Foam Cushion Pouches
To prevent scratching your china, I would also recommend putting each item in its own foam pouch. This will also save you time having to wrap each item individually in old newspapers or packing paper.
16. Glassware Storage
To keep your Christmas stemware safe, I recommend a dedicated storage container for your stemware. This is a much more efficient and safe way to store your stemware, as opposed to simply packing them in old newspapers which may lead to breakage!
17. Cup or Mug Storage
Store your Christmas or holiday cups and mugs in this coordinating twill hard sided storage box.
DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I may make a commission if you decide to purchase, at no additional cost to you.
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