Unless you’re a weirdo like my wife, there’s nothing fun about cleaning, organizing, and storing decorations, but hastily stored Christmas decorations can make next year’s decorating a full-fledged nightmare. Growing up, my mom used rolled up newspaper to wrap Christmas lights around, and it was always fun reading articles from the late 70’s as I rewound the them. Here are a few tips I wish I knew back then:
1) Be Careful Storing Christmas Wreaths – Any container you use must be able to preserve it’s shape and prevent warping.
2) Label Boxes – Mystery boxes can be fun to open, but when you’re looking for a specific light, bulb, or decorating item, it can be extremely frustrating.
3) Wrapping Up Lights – Do away with the tangled mess of years-past by organizing your Christmas lights before packing. As I mentioned before, a rolled up newspaper does a great job. Make sure to dispose of any lights that may have been damaged or are not working properly. Don’t be afraid to let go!
4) Storing Christmas Candles – Wrap candles in old, preferably washed socks to prevent scratching. Place them in a box standing vertically, and make sure to pack them snugly with newspapers or bubble wrap to prevent them from breaking.
5) Take Pictures Beforehand – If you’re fond of your decorating scheme, make sure to photo document it before putting everything into storage. It’s amazing how quickly your memory can fade over 11 months.
6) Storing the Christmas Tree – Using the original box may seem like a practical idea, but over time and use the cardboard begins to deteriorate. There are many different kinds of boxes, specifically designed for Christmas trees, that you can buy once the original box starts to wear out.