Resolve To Finally Organize Those Decorations – Tidy Tuesday
Once again, as I take down all my tree lights, ornaments, and decorations I think “Maybe this year I’ll organize everything.”
Of course, that is a great idea, but by the time I get ready to take all the decorations down, it just seems like the job is already so big that adding organizing is just another task.
But the truth is, the task of decorating becomes a lot more difficult when faced with the inevitable tangled lights, knotted garland, and multiple hiding places for all the miscellaneous ornaments and such. To be honest, once all the Christmas tree lights and ornaments are organized, decorating the house would be a lot easier. So, here I go… planning my strategy.
The first thing I decided to do was to pick one spot for all the decorations. Since we have a closet near the garage entry that doesn’t get that much use, I’m thinking this would be a good spot to start. I can’t store too many things in the garage because of the damp conditions caused by some wet seasons here. So, an indoor closet is best in my case. However, if I run out of room, the tree lights and outdoor lights will be fine stored in their own container in the garage since there is no danger in ruining them.
Moving everything around or out of my closet is the first step because I want to see how much room I actually have. Once I determine that, by taking several measurements, I’m going shopping for some special storage.
Lights: This is normally my worse problem. I think every year that I’ll find something to wrap the lights around, and usually can find something that will work. A simple cardboard tube left over from gift wrap or paper towels works pretty well. But, it depends on who’s helping. If they let the lights slip off the end of the tube, the lights get tangled anyway.
For a more permanent solution there are reels like the one here, where the lights are reeled right up like fishing line. Click on the picture to take a look.
Or, the storage boxes with inserts for several strings of lights were nice, like the ones here. You can get a closer look when you click on the picture here.
Ornaments: Besides keeping ornaments organized to make them easier to find, I really need to get my ornaments put away neatly to keep them safe.
A very nice organizer that is easy to handle, not very bulky, is a see through plastic bin right here. Click on the picture to see how nice these boxes are.
Another option is the shallow box with movable dividers which is only 5 inches tall so it would fit under a bed if that turns out to be a good spot for storage. Check out this storage solution by clicking on the picture.
Artificial Tree: If you have an artificial tree, you know that storage can become a problem after a few years. The box that it came in won’t last forever! There are a couple storage options for your tree.
This one actually has wheels so it can be more easily moved, especially if you have a big, heavy tree. Check that out by clicking on the picture.
Another option is the big plastic bin type storage solution. It’s nice especially if you need to stack it with other things in the garage or basement. Click on the picture to check out this tree storage box.
Those are my big storage issues. I think between these items I should be able to find solutions that fit both my needs and my budget. Come January, my mission will be to carefully remove and safely store all my nice Christmas decorations so that when December rolls around next year, I’ll be prepared and organized! Hope you find this to be helpful in your effort today to tidy up!
p.s. For great tips you can use all year long for organizing and cleaning your home, check out Spring Cleaning Tips For Mom. You don’t have to wait until spring to get your house sparkly clean and organized!
Tags: Christmas decoration storage solutions, christmas ornament storage, storing decorations
December 16th, 2009 at 8:16 am
Last year, I “organized” my lights by wrapping them, one strand at a time, from my hand around my elbow until they were looped up, then secured each one with a rubber band. I stored them in a storage bin of Christmas stuff, just stacked on top of each other. They stored fine. When I was ready to use them this year, I just pulled out one strand, popped off the rubber band, and let the light strand go loose. Any “tangles” were mild, since I was just dealing with one strand at a time. There weren’t really any tangles to speak of, mostly one light socket catching on another. The biggest problem comes when you’ve got multiple strands that can get tangled together.
December 16th, 2009 at 10:52 am
Organized decorations are the only way to go. Not only is getting them out so easy, it is actually easier to put it all away in a specific way. And I’m not the most organized person in the world, but its a must for the Christmas decorations.
If you want to add to your decorations, I’m hosting a nativity set giveaway on my blog. Just pop on over.
http://autumnaskswhy.blogspot.com/2009/12/how-about-christmas-giveaway.html
December 29th, 2009 at 3:17 pm
I don’t know where my grandmother got it, but while growing up, she had her tree in a “bag” in the garage..already decorated and lighted. It was like a giant garbage bag. All she did each year was bring in the tree in the bag, undo the top and pull the bag down. Viola! There was the Christmas tree already done and ready to show in all its beautiful glory. Then when the time came at the end of the season, she would pull the bag up around the tree again, tie off the top and put it back out in the corner of the garage. I would love to find one of those bags and do my tree like that.
January 5th, 2010 at 1:18 pm
My parents have been using the box that their tree came in for the last 20 years. You’re right that it’s not going to last a lot longer, but neither is their tree. The cardboard box has about the same life expectancy as the tree. Or at least about the same as the time until the tree is getting ratty enough to justify getting ride of it because you’re sick and tired of it.