Christmas Decorations. Probably the least favorite event of the holiday season is the clean-up.  If you had some damage from last year’s storage, you may be looking for alternative methods to preserve your decorations for next Christmas.  Here are some ideas.

Tree – Wrap your artificial tree in shrink wrap.  It will compress the size and make it easier to store.  Next year carefully cut up the side with scissors and fluff the branches into shape.  Another option would be to turn dust sheets into bags.  You can also invest in a tree storage bag.  Generally, they can hold a tree up to 9 feet tall.  

Lights – Appropriately sized pieces of cardboard will be a good way to keep your strings of lights from tangling.  Carefully winding them so the wires don’t overlap will do the trick.  In fact, you can make notes on the cardboard, like where they were used during the current season.  They then can stack or stand together or layer them in a storage box.  Another choice might be to wrap them around a sturdy coat hanger.  With an inexpensive curtain rod or purchased clothing rack, they can hang safe and sound.

Ornaments – Ornaments are the easiest to damage and most difficult to store.  You can buy storage bins specifically designed for ornaments or try one or more of these ideas.  Go to your local liquor store and ask for empty wine boxes.  They have cardboard dividers that can be modified if necessary.  Wrap the ornaments in tissue paper or bubble wrap.  Put the heavier baubles on the bottom.  

Another DIY option is to hot glue plastic cups onto pieces of cardboard.  These makeshift holders can even be stacked on top of each other or placed together in a storage bin.

Use egg cartons for small items or clean plastic produce containers.  If you want to keep the ornaments sorted (like by color) use clear gallon plastic storage bags.  

Garlands – Garlands can be wrapped around cardboard tubes.  Small ones are good for short garlands and tubes from rolls of wrapping paper are good for the longer ones.  If you have bead garlands, put them in an empty water bottle.  You can also coil it around ordinary clothes hanger and cover with plastic.

Wreaths – Twist tie and hang the wreath around the hook of a hanger and then cover with a dry-cleaning bag or trash bag.  Just be sure there is an air hole in the bottom.  They can then suspend from a curtain rod or inside your closet.  The dry cleaning bag is clear so you will easily identify one from another, but if you use a trash bag, it is best to put a note on the outside.

More information about Christmas décor and more is available at our store. 

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