Tips on Organizing and Storing Those Christmas Decorations for Next Year

After the presents have been opened and the guests have gone home, it is time to start thinking about storing all those holiday decorations.

First, and most important, I like to remind my clients about how many decorations they never took out of the box. Its time to let go of some of those decorations that just take up space in your garage, basement or attic. Save room for only the decorations you love to put up each year.

These are some of my favorite products that I recommend to my clients to ensure their holiday decorations will be safe and easy to find next year.


Boxes like these are ideal for storing tree ornaments. Each ornament is protected in its own space. Picking storage bins in bright red or green can also make Christmas decorations easily identifiable from other storage items.
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I really, really LOVE this product for storing gift wrap. Fits ribbons bows, tags, gift wrap, etc. all in one nifty under the bed storage container. I like to keep an extra set of scissors and scotch tape in mine, just for wrapping presents. Note: these also work well to keep birthday wrapping paper organized.
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This is my favorite product for storing decorative wreaths. The sturdy plastic keeps the delicate wreaths from getting crushed in storage. It is also air tight to keep out pests.
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Here is a great solution for storing all those lights, so next year you don't spend all your time untangling them. Cheaper solution: use the flaps from cardboard boxes to wrap the lights around.
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Remember those precious ornaments that your child made out of natural material such as dried food or pasta should always be kept in airtight containers to keep pests away.
Keep like items in the same storage container. All the ornaments, tree lights, tree stand, and tree skirt all together so when it is time to put up the tree you don't have to open every box to find what you need. Also keep indoor decorations separated from outdoor decorations . This way you can put the indoor decorations up as soon as you want, and the outdoor ones when a nice day comes along.
Above all, LABEL EVERYTHING. If you want to put up grandmas Christmas snow village first, you don't want to hunt through every box to find it.

Contact The Art of Order, LLC if you need help downsizing, organizing, or storing your holiday decorations.

Don't forget we offer other services such as filing paperwork, organizing closets, clothes, kitchens, garages and much much more! Click here to get details about our other services! Start the new year with a clutter-free house!
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The Art of Order, LLC
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Conquering the Piles of Paper

Paper has a way of piling up fast. Before you know it, the piles are taking over your desk, floor, or even your room! There is one simple way to tackle a majority of the paper that you have accumulated in the room. I call it the "30 minute challenge". Collect a trash bag or recycling bin and set a timer for 30 minutes. 30 minutes is the magic time limit because it is short enough to fit in your schedule, but not too long to become overwelmed. Next step, just start going thru the piles and eliminate just the TRASH. Don't take too long to decide if you should keep each piece of paper. If you find yourself debating if the paper should be thrown out, put it aside to keep and continue with purging all the paper that is definitely trash. Trash can account for up to 50% of your paper piles. If you can eliminate some of those papers, the project will feel more manageable, and you will be more likely to continue with a proper filing system.