Step-by-Step Guide to a Post-holiday Cleanup
The holiday revelry is over, and now comes the tedious task of cleaning up and storing all those Christmas trinkets. Make this chore less taxing and time-consuming by creating a simple but efficient clean-up process. Here’s a quick guide to help you tackle the job—plus, nifty storage essentials you’ll want to hoard pronto!
Step 1: Paper items first
It’s easy to store gift-wrapping items just about anywhere. What’s challenging is when you need to bring them out of storage come next holiday season. Where are those fancy ribbons again? And you’re quite sure there are more gift wrappers than those sad, crumpled sheets lying at the bottom of the drawer.
Save time from trying to find those gift wrapping items by storing them all in one place. A foldable organizer with clear sleeves saves on space and allows you to see everything you need in one glance.
Roll leftover wrappers so you can still use them next Christmas. The same goes for ribbons and twines—don’t just lump them in a messy ball. Meanwhile, stack unused gift cards, tags, and holiday greeting cards neatly. Keeping these items well-organized will also make it easy for you to decide if you need to buy more supplies for next season.
Step 2: Undress the tree
Carefully remove all Christmas tree ornaments. Group together similar items (either by color, shape, or size) and store them individually in a box that has dividers. This ensures that each décor, especially those ornate pieces, doesn’t get damaged in storage.
Step 3: Be careful with the lights
Don’t just gather Christmas lights in a handful then stash them carelessly in a random bag. Extend their lifespan by storing them properly.
Carefully wrap the lights around a hard board, following the “natural” curve of the wires. Preferably, use one board for each set of lights. Then, store them in a box and keep them some place dry. You may also include a pack of silica gel to keep away moisture.
Evonne Christmas Lights Storage Box
Step 4: Time to take down the tree
Take down the tree with care, then give it a good dusting before storing it. It’s best to keep it in its original box, but in case it’s no longer on hand, opt for a storage bag that’s big enough to accommodate all parts of the tree. To keep it from being deformed, avoid stacking other boxes or items on top of it.
Evonne Christmas Tree Storage Bag
Step 5: Tackle the rest
Once you’re done with the tree, it’s time to pay attention to the rest of the holiday décor in your home.
Do the cleaning up room by room to make sure you don’t leave out anything. Store wreathes and garlands in a round bag to retain their shape. Before stowing away Christmas-themed tablecloths, throw pillow covers, and other similar furnishings, be sure to wash them first, taking note of their respective washing instructions. Then, keep them in zipped bags that you can easily tuck away at the bottom of a closet.
Wrap fragile ornaments in old newspapers before storing them in sturdy bins. Avoid piling ceramics on top of each other, lest you risk breakage.
As much as possible, keep all your Christmas décor in one spot or room so it’s easy for you to bring them out again come next holiday season. Go for durable storage pieces that will last you a long time. Plus, you can use these for other home décor as well.
