by Jennifer Swanson
Do you box up your holiday decorations the day after Christmas--or hold onto the holiday spirit until the snow melts? Either way, a little thought when storing your decorations this year will save you a lot of time when you take them out next year.
1. Photograph. Take snapshots of your decorating arrangements to save time and decision making next year. Order double prints. Keep one set with your Christmas decorations to serve as instructions for yourself and your helpers. Put the other set in your safety deposit box with your household inventory for insurance purposes.
2. Tag. Handmade ornaments are precious heirlooms, but we often forget who created what and when. Write on strung paper tags, available at office supply stores, and attach them to ornaments and other important items. (Avoid stick-on labels-the glue may deteriorate over time, causing them to fall off.)
3. Sort. Group similar items together, and consider giving decorations you haven't displayed in years to new homes, perhaps to a friend or a charity. Make a list of supplies you'll need for next year, such as wrapping materials, cards, extension cords, and replacement light bulbs. Determine how many and what size containers you'll need for storage.
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4. Shop. With your list from step 3, take advantage of after-Christmas sales. Stick to your list, being careful not to collect more clutter just because it's on sale.
5. Store. Put away sorted decorations according to groupings. For example, keep all your tree trimmings together rather than scattering them throughout your storage boxes. Be sure to label each container according to its contents. Consider numbering your boxes according to decorating priority. "Box 1" would contain those items that you consider essential and would want to unpack first, such as decorating photos (see step 1), holiday music, and special recipes.
Take this opportunity to store other items that you only use during the holidays, particularly those that take up valuable kitchen cupboard space.
When it's time to deck your halls next year, it will be fun, fast, and stress-free. Here's to an organized New Year!
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