The holiday season is over – it is now time to take down the holiday decorations and store them until the next year.  Depending on how extensively you decorate your home for the holidays this process could take several days.  A good rule is that the time it takes to set up the decorations is the same amount of time it will take to put away the same decorations.

I have several large plastic storage boxes that we store in the basement.  I found that storing the holiday items in these tightly sealed plastic containers will keep everything safe and secure from damage.  I have used cardboard boxes in the past and there is always a risk of the cartons tearing or little animal creatures chewing through and destroying the decorations.  This happened in our other home when the holiday decorations were stored in the garage.  In our current home, my husband has built wonderful shelving that keeps the majority of the boxes off the floor since the water heater is located nearby.  Even if there is a problem with the water heater, there would be no damage to the holiday decorations.

When I converted to the large plastic storage boxes after our move to the new house, each was labeled with the contents.  Such as: Easter decorations, Halloween decorations and Christmas Nativity Set, North Pole decorations, etc. It is easier to find the boxes you are looking for when you are decorating during the holidays.  Also, inside each box is a sheet of paper with a detailed inventory of the contents because if I am looking for a particular item I could know immediately from the list.  This inventory list is checked twice (just like Santa’s list!) Once when the items are being taken out to decorate for the season and to make sure nothing is missing and then again when the items are being put away after the holidays are over to make sure everything is returned to the storage boxes.  A copy of this list is put into my craft folder that I take with me when I am shopping for seasonal decorations, this way I know exactly what I have and what I need.

At this time, when I am putting the decorations away, it is a good time to make repairs on any items damaged during the holidays or to create a list of items to purchase for the next year.  I know it sounds like a complicated process but this way everything is organized.  It will also save you a lot of time and money.  Time – because if you make the repairs before the items are put away then the next year you can begin decorating as soon as you unpack everything with no delays.  Money – because it is a good opportunity to shop the holiday clearance sales.

During the holiday season I always find craft ideas or projects that I want to try for the next year.  Now is a good time to make a list of items needed for those projects.  Take advantage of the holiday clearance sales when the prices for the items are severely reduced.  Another good idea is to shop during the year for those items so the holiday projects can be completed without the time crunch and pressure of a holiday deadline.  Another tip is that if you are prepared with a shopping list of items required for those projects, the following year when the holiday supplies and decorations are first available in the craft stores there is a better selection with no risk of those items running out stock.

Holiday decorations can last for years if they are properly stored and maintained with minor repairs.  We spend so much money and time on these decorations it makes sense to store them properly.  Also, I have several heirloom items that I would like to pass onto to my children, so I’m willing to take the time to store those items securely from damage.