Five Tips for Holiday Cleanup

Five Tips for Holiday Cleanup

However different this year’s holidays were for each of us, they are beginning to wind down. You may have put your decorations up earlier than ever before because we all needed that extra cheer (and I hope you enjoyed a very merry season). Now it’s time to wrap up the holidays and prepare for the new year. Here are ideas to store and protect your holiday items.

Holiday Storage Zone - Where do you store your holiday decor? Do you already have a dedicated area? If not, choose a spot that is out of the way so your holiday things aren’t in your way the rest of the year. Create a zone specifically for holidays. The easiest way to create the storage you need is to add shelves to your garage or attic. It’s much better than stacking boxes.

Holiday Gift Wrap - As you put away your holiday gift wrap for the season, store your holiday wrap in a separate container from your year-round gift wrap (think birthdays, baby showers, graduation). This way, the holiday wrap is not in your way for the rest of the year and vice versa. Choose one color container for holiday wrap (like red or blue) and a different color for a year-round wrap.

Holiday Dinnerware - Holiday dishware makes the season that much more festive. But only being used once a year means it needs a good out of the way place to live in between seasons. Store your holiday dishware in original boxes or in sturdy, protective containers designed specifically for dishes and glassware. This keeps everything clean and damage-free until the next year.

Holiday Greeting Cards - Some people still send holiday cards, much to my delight! What to do with them after the holidays, though? A couple of ideas: Save the most meaningful ones in your memorabilia box. Repurpose the prettiest card fronts as gift decorations next year (store with holiday gift wrap). And display the photo cards. I personally keep the photo cards up all year til I get a new one next Christmas. Especially if they are of families I don’t see often.

Holiday Decor - When it's time to take down the holiday lights and stockings and nativity scene, sort your holiday decor and store like with like. This makes everything neat and easy to find next year. There are dedicated storage containers for everything from your string of lights and treasured ornaments to wreaths and even the tree. Protect fragile items by using containers designed specifically for them. Large totes are perfect for holding oversized decorations. Fabric items are best stored in weathertight totes. They have a seal and tight closure that protects contents from weather, dust, bugs and mold.

PC The Container Store