It’s that time of the year. We’re all getting ready to decorate for the next holiday, but then, before you know it, it’ll be time to pack it all back up. Packing and storing your holiday decorations presents the same challenge year after year. If you want your holiday gear to look beautiful for next year, you need to make sure that it’s packed in a way that will keep glass ornaments unbroken and white table linens free of moth damage and yellowing. Here are a few tips to make the packing safer.
Artificial Christmas Trees
If you have an artificial tree, make sure that you store it using its original bag. This will keep dust off of the branches and keep it free of bugs and other intruders. Depending on the type of artificial tree you have, you’ll want to decide the best way of actually storing it. If you’ve disposed of the original packaging, there is the option of purchasing a Christmas tree bag or box from a home improvement store.
Glass Ornaments
When you want your ornaments to remain safe all year long, you need to make sure that they’re cushioned in case of a fall. One technique that you can use is making individual containers for them out of felt. This material is cost-effective, and it will help you avoid accidental scratching. You can also section off a box with individual compartments to prevent crushing.
Organize Your Totes
When you want your decorations to be easily accessible, consider color coding your storage bins. All Storage Online recommends doing this because, “When using a color coded system, you can then quickly identify the bins and the contents of each bin. This will help avoid combing through each bin when you’re looking for a specific item.” With organized storage, you’ll be able to find all of the items that you’re looking for easily, which will save you time and energy.
Linens
Protect the bright white in your linens by storing them in plastic bags and totes. Yellowing occurs when your linens get wet, and this can also cause mold growth. When you put your linens in plastic, you protect them from moisture as well as moths that can eat into the fabric.
Strands of Lights
Fighting with a ball of jumbled lights isn’t something you want to do every year. To prevent tangles and broken light, make sure that you take the time to organize the strands and wrap them with rubber bands or twine. CNet suggests using hangers for lights this way: “Take one of the loose ends of the strand and hook it through one of the strap holders. Then, while keeping the strand taut, begin wrapping it around the clothes hanger vertically, keeping it as neat as possible.” This will save you from needing to untangle a mess the next year, and it will also save your bulbs from breaking.
When you’re looking for ways to store your Christmas decor, take a few extra minutes to ensure that everything is safe and organized. Doing so can save you hours of hassle the next year.