You may have already taken down your Christmas decorations, but if not, here are a few easy storage pointers. Taking down and packing up Christmas decorations can be a chore, but if you have kept the packaging that many of your decorations were purchased in, it might make your job a little easier. However, if not maybe we can help. There will be numerous suggestions about how to pack up Christmas Decorations, but I thought that I would add a few that are very simple and that can add to careful wrapping/packaging for preservation for next year.
For Christmas Wreaths
Tall Kitchen Bags
Large Green Trash Bags
Pack Mate Bags (Storage )
( I am certain that you can think of many other bags that might be appropriate.)
Tissue Paper
Scotch Mailing and Storage Tape
-I usually begin by measuring the wreaths and determining which of my storage bags would be best according to the size of the bag, in cooperation with the wreath.
-I cover the wreath very loosely with tissue paper and use the mailing and storage tape to carefully seal it around the wreath to protect it and the attached decorations.
-I slip the wreath in the bag tie it up or seal it with the storage tape and put it on the top of the storage shelf in the storage room. All of the Christmas decorations are put on the top storage shelf to provide greater protection at that level, assuring that nothing will be put on top of them.
Garland and Christmas Lights:
The garland can be carefully folded and put in a storage bag according to size. I like to cover the garland and the decorations on it carefully with tissue paper and then fold it and put it in the bag. I often will tie the bag up, but sealing with the tape is also good.
Christmas lights should be carefully rolled and put into a storage bag according to size or a box. Now, again, I like putting the tissue paper around it to insure protection and security for the lights to last until next year.
Christmas Tree Balls and Decoration:
Big Cardboard box
Another Box For cutting and Sectioning Off the Decorations
Scissors
Measuring Tape
Storage Tape
Marking Pencil/Pen
-Get your big storage box
-Measure the extra cardboard and make sure that you can have levels and strips for dividing according to how many you will need.
-Cut cardboard strips about 3 1/2 inches wide and according to the length of the box. Cut as many as you may need to make sections.
Cut 1 1/2 slits on the strips about 3 - 4 inches apart from each other. These strips will interlock by the slits until you have several boxed sections all across that level that you can put the balls and other tree decorations in. After you have filled that level - you will put a flat cardboard divider over that and then move to do the same thing at the next level until you have all of the levels and tree decorations in secure separate sections and ready for storage. The top of the box will be sealed with the mailing and storage Tape or another tape of your choice.
Make certtain that everything is put away - not to be crushed, broken or damaged in any way.
Now, get excited and get your home ready for redecoration. This is a great time to make the changes that you have in mind that can bring more excitement to your home.
Since there are so many ways to store Christmas decorations, share with us and tell us what Christmas storage methods you would use or did use.
1. Hi Betty,
You have no idea how bad I need these storage suggestions. This is my first real Christmas of having my own place and storage. Putting up the decorations was a joy, but I was worried about what to do with them after I take them down. Thanks. This helps a lot.
Yvonne
by Yvonne — 12/31/07 at 12:30 pm #
2. Sorry! I forgot to say Happy New Year!
Yvonne
by Yvonne — 12/31/07 at 12:31 pm #
3. Happy New Year! Thanks for this information. I have taken my decorations down, but I did not put them away yet. My husband is worrying me do death to get a system so that we will not have to go through this every year. These are great tips! and I will use them right away. I follow you and enjoy what you write. I also love the way that you write. Thank you for inspiring me. Dina
by Dina — 1/1/08 at 11:41 am #
4. Betty
thanks so much for these tips. My family just moved to a new home and I have been dreading repacking my christmas decorations. i love wreaths and evrey year i buy new ones to display. I never thought of tissue paper first!
happy New Year!
by Terry — 1/1/08 at 2:11 pm #
5. Betty,
Great ideas for packing up all the decorations. We pay alot for nice decorations its worth it to pack them up well and then they will look nice for many years to come. I use a lot of plastic grocery bags to wrap some decorations in. They seem to pad things well and I always have plenty to use. I also stuff a bunch in and around the decorations for extra protection. Works well and they are free.
Great tips…Happy New Year.
by Cathy — 1/1/08 at 8:01 pm #
6. I purchased the plastic containers for Christmas Wreaths, and the rectangular boxes for small ornaments and Christmas bags that you want saved for next year. I also use the plastic grocery bags and the large plastic bags from HomeGoods to store potted poinsettias. I staple the bags shut — so no dust will get inside. All of the outdoor Christmas lights are organized and secured with plastic tape and stored in a large plastic bin. All plastic bins and bags are labeled with the contents typed in large letters. Disassembling the decorations this year was much easier. Happy New Year!
PS I was tempted to leave the tree up and decorate it for all of the Holidays — Valentine’s, Mother’s Day, etc.
Ali
by Ali [...] — 1/2/08 at 7:15 pm #
7. Happy New Year,
I used plastic grocery bags and large Home Goods plastic bags to store potted poinsettias and garland. I type in LARGE letters the contents of each bag and box. Also, to safeguard wreaths, purchase the plastic wreath boxes. They are great! All outdoor Christmas lights are checked and wrapped and placed in a large plastic bin — labeled Backyard or Front Yard, Palm Trees, Walkway.
Ali
by Ali [...] — 1/2/08 at 7:19 pm #
8. Another very easy idea for storing your Christmas decorations. Menard’s, Home Depot and other stores all sell ornament boxes. I have had an ornament storage box for nine years, and not one ornament has been broken. There are clear storage boxes in which you can sort your ornaments by color!. My storage box has paid for itself many times over! I have some ornaments that were handed down from my mother, and they could not be replaced, but with an ornament box (under $10.00) they will be handed down to my grandchildren!
by Judy [...] — 1/3/08 at 11:21 am #
9. Hi Yvonne,
I am so happy that we could be of assistance to you. Good luck to you in your new residence and may you have a organized and wonderful 2008. There is nothing like having your home in a state of comfort, peace and tranquility. This is a year of new beginnings! Keep in touch and let us hear how you are doing!
Betty
by Betty — 1/3/08 at 2:28 pm #
10. I thought of a new solution for storing wreaths this year…. you know those plastic ‘bags’ that new bedding comes in? The clear ones with the zippers? I am always looking for ways to reuse those ‘bags’ and have found that some are just the right size for wreaths! They’re perfect because they have the wire edges so they retain their box-like shape and they’re clear so you can see exactly what’s in them! Sometimes I even use them for spare blankets and clothes for protection. After all, it seems a shame to throw them away! Happy Packing!
by Nikki — 1/3/08 at 6:04 pm #
11. I appreciated these suggestins. In addition I would like to add an idea I had today. I went to the local liquor store and obtained boxes that had dividers in them. One had 24 sections that I could put smaller Christmas tree decorations in, others had larger sections of 9 that held larger decorations. I also used the boxes that I bought 3 cartons each of milk in at Costco to wind around the Christmas tree lights. I pushed one plug end into the hole that is where one puts the hand to pick up the box (there is one on each side). By keeping several strings of lights attached to each other, I was able to wrap ten strings of lights around the box. I also put the surge protector inside the box first, so it is all ready for next year. I the put all the different tree decorations into a Rubbermade 18 gallon container so they are dry and protected and together in one place and labeled. I always put a tree bag under my real tree each year so it is easier to pull up on the tree and take it out to the curb to be picked up. I take the bag off before it is picked up. Hope these suggestions will be helpful to someone else. Gladys
by Gladys [...] — 1/3/08 at 8:44 pm #
12. Last year I bought two rectangular plastic boxes on wheels which fit under our bed. As I prepare to decorate, I take out my decorations and begin to fill the boxes with the accessories whcih I won’t be using during the holidays and slide them under the bed out of sight. I also bought two large green and red zippered heavy plastic bags made especially for wreaths and trees and slip in those items, zip them up and place up in our attic until next year. For smaller items, I have saved the boxes they came in and place them in two coffee table trunks; one in our family room and one in our office. It works out very well for us.
by Barbara — 1/5/08 at 9:39 am #
13. Hi Dina,
Thank you for your wonderful comments! Happy New Year to you and your husband! I am so happy that you feel that what I have shared will allow you to develop a system for storage of your Christmas decorations. As you read many of the responses, you might see some other systems that prove to be worthy of consideration as well. I wish you the very best and let us know how you make out. Thanks loads!!!
by Betty — 1/7/08 at 2:27 pm #
14. Hi Terry,
Thanks so much for sharing and making me aware that this system can work for you. The tissue paper as always proved to be a very protective way for me. Also, putting the decorations on a high or out of the place shelf can prove to be advantageous in the the protection of Christmas decorations. There are some other wonderful suggestions here that might prove to be helpful to you as well. Check them out and let me know that you think and how you make out. Happy New Year!!
by Betty — 1/7/08 at 2:31 pm #
15. Hi Cathy,
Great ideas! You are right. The plastic bags that you get from the store can prove to be great storage protection for those expensive Christmas decorations that we buy. Thank you for sharing this information. It is so helpful to the many individuals that are seeking answers about their storage.
Happy New Year!!!! Have a great and prosperous year.
by Betty — 1/7/08 at 2:38 pm #
16. Hi Ali,
These are great suggestions! I had no idea that you could purchase the the plastic boxes for storage of Christmas wreaths. Now, when I think of it there are so many plastic boxes in large and small sizes that I have seen, even though the ones that I refer to are not designated for the wreaths. However, they are great storage. These are excellent ideas! I label those bags and containers that I am not able to see the items inside and I make certain that I put them on shelves where they can not be crushed, mashed or broken. Again, thank you for your wonderful suggestions. I am sure that many persons will be inspired by the suggestions that you have made.
Happy New Year!!!
by Betty — 1/7/08 at 2:48 pm #
17. Hi Judy,
This is excellent!! I love the idea of the ornament boxes. This will be very helpful to all of those persons that are looking for these kind of answer for some of the Christmas decoration storage. There is still the storage for wreaths and light bulbs for the tree. That will not be as difficult to store because of the plastic bags and also the plastic storage containers that can be found in anyone of the stores like Wal Mart or others. I will look for the ornament boxes myself. That makes a nice Christmas gift for 2008. (smile) Happy New Year!!! Let us hear from you again soon.
by Betty — 1/7/08 at 2:59 pm #
18. Hi Nikki,
Excellent idea! Those plastic bags that new bedding comes in are wonderful for all kinds of storage. I store clothing for the off seasons in many of them and I am able to put them under the beds and other storage areas. I never thought in terms of the storage of wreaths in these bags. That is a superb idea! You are right. You can clearly see everything in the bag. That is great for accessible storage. Thanks loads for taking the time to share such great information. Keep in touch and keep sharing. Happy New Year!!!
by Betty — 1/7/08 at 3:07 pm #
19. Hi Gladys,
These are excellent suggestions! I forgot about all of the compartments in these boxes. You have provided some wonderful suggestions that I am sure will prove to be advantageous for many of the persons that are trying to find the right answers that suit their systems for storage of Christmas decorations. I have learned so much from you and all of the wonderful persons who shared such great ideas about the storage of Christmas decorations. Thank you immensely! Happy New Year!!!
by Betty — 1/7/08 at 3:20 pm #
20. Hi Barbara,
Happy New Year! Excellent information! Where did you get green and red bags for wreaths and storage of Christmas trees? It would be great for those persons that still have not decided on what or how they would store there decorations and to know where to purchase these bags. I love the plastice double decker low storage containers on wheels. They are great and you can find many storage places in the home for them, because they are not bulky. All of this information is really significant. Thank you for sharing. We look forward to hearing from you.
by Betty — 1/7/08 at 3:34 pm #
21. My solution for wreaths this year has been to hang them. Up high, and way up on those closet walls (providing shelving is not in the way).Of course tissue paper in and around them first for addied protection is a great idea. Put a light weight dust cloth over them.
by Mary Ann — 1/22/08 at 2:12 pm #
22. Hi Mary Ann,
What a great idea! It is amazing how many ideas there are out there regarding storing Christmas decorations. All of us are constantly learning from each other. Thanks for the information. This will help tremendously next year and for any other holiday decorations that have to be stored. Keep sharing and have a great New Year!
by Betty — 1/22/08 at 4:07 pm #
23. Wreaths are easily stored in regular rectangular storage boxes. Pick a box that allows your wreaths to stand side by side, or lay flat.
This is less expensive than wreath boxes, and stores easier amongst other boxes. The under-bed boxes are good also, and will hold the larger diameter wreaths. For REALLY large wreaths, take two storage boxes, use one for the lid and one for the bottom, and duct tape together in the center. Use the lids to seperate the wreaths within the box.
by Sheila — 5/19/09 at 4:32 pm #