If you've ever tried to organize your holiday decorations, you know that it can be a daunting task. However, keeping your items in good condition and being able to find them easily makes the holidays better for everyone involved—especially if you're hosting an event like a party or dinner. By following these five tips for how to organize your holiday items, you'll save time and money on decoration projects throughout the year so that when it comes time to decorate for Christmas, Thanksgiving, or any other holiday celebration, you'll have everything ready to go!
Separate your items by category
Your first step should be to separate your items by category. This makes it easier to find what you are looking for and helps keep the clutter down. For example, instead of having all of your decorations in one bin, you could use categories such as ornaments, lights, garlands, and so on.
You can also separate items by where they will be used. If there is anything that will only be used during holiday time then put those things away in a closet or drawer until next year.
Label your boxes properly so you know exactly what's in them
Labeling your boxes is an easy way to keep track of what's inside and make sure that you don't end up with a mixed-up mess when you're unpacking. Thermal stickers come in handy in this situation since they are easy to print and durable. If you have more than one box containing similar items, use labels to differentiate between them. For example, if your boxes contain decorations for the same holiday (e.g., Thanksgiving), write "Thanksgiving Decorations" on all of them so the contents are easier to distinguish from one another. You could also label the box by room or type of item (e.g., kitchenware). We've also written about DIY your own pantry labels, which would be a good guide if you've got some kitchen items needed to be organized.
Get rid of anything you don't need.
As you start to gather your holiday items, think about the things you don't need. For example, if you have an item that is still in good condition and could be used by someone else, donate it! You can often find charities that will pick up donations from your home for free.
If your decorations are broken or damaged, recycle them! Many municipalities offer recycling programs for trees and wreaths that were cut down during the holiday season. Just make sure you keep any lights or ornaments on them so they can be reused.
And finally, get rid of any items that no longer serve a purpose in your home. This includes old wrapping paper rolls as well as decorations with sentimental value but which haven’t been displayed in years because they are no longer important to us.
Go for the big, stackable storage bins to get the most out of your space
To get the most out of your space, it’s best to avoid traditional holiday storage solutions like shelving and cupboards. Instead, go for the big, stackable storage bins that take up less space and are easy to store when not in use. For those who are low on closet space or have an attic or garage nearby (or even for those who don't!), this is a great solution because you can put these bins anywhere—under a bed, in an unused corner of your closet, or in your garage. You’ll still be able to easily find what you need thanks to label stickers!
Use small, plastic bins that zip closed for smaller items
You can also use small, plastic bins to organize your holiday items. These are great for smaller items like packing tape, ribbon, and wrapping paper. Look for clear containers so you can see what's inside the bin without having to open it up. If you want to use one larger container instead of multiple smaller ones, get a large bag or box that will hold all of your holiday items together nicely.
Store decorations in an out-of-the-way place, like the basement or a closet
- Store decorations in an out-of-the-way place, like the basement or a closet.
- Store them in a cool, dry place—a basement may be the best choice because it's usually cooler than the rest of your home.
- Don't store your decorations in an area that gets humid or hot; both can damage some types of decorations.
You can organize easily and save time and money during the holidays by keeping things tidy all year round
Organizing can save you time and money. Instead of spending hours looking for an item in your home when you need it, find a place to store that item so that you can use it when needed. This will help eliminate the stress associated with last-minute shopping and preparation for holiday events as well as help create better overall organizational habits which will benefit everyone in your household over time, not just during seasonal celebrations.
With these tips, you can save yourself a lot of trouble during the holidays. You'll be able to keep your house tidy all year round and make sure everything is ready when Christmas rolls around!
