Six Steps to Save Your Christmas... Decorations in Storage!

No sooner has the Christmas partying started than it’s time to pack up!

But prepare well over the Christmas period and reuse some of the wrappings and cartons, and safely putting away any Christmas decorations that you don’t have the original boxes for couldn’t be simpler.

 

 

1. Left over disposable cups

Cups are great for storing small ornaments in, such as Christmas baubles or Christmas card pegs.

And if they’re all the same size, it’s really easy to pop them on the bottom layer of a box and add a ‘shelf’ of left over card for the next layer of things to be stored.

Decorative boxes or used wine boxes with dividers to separate them will also work. Wrap in tissue paper, kitchen paper, or even tissues before storing.

If the ornament is too small for a compartment or cup, pad it with paper to protect from breakage during storage.

 

2. Big cardboard tubes

Big cardboard tubes can be useful for keeping artificial Christmas trees safe and in shape – if you separate up the layers, though, don’t forget to number the pieces eg one of six, two of five etc. Trying to rebuild the trees with missing pieces could end in tears.

 

3. Pieces of cardboard boxes

An H shape with a fat middle cut out of sturdy cardboard makes a great holder for Christmas tree lights. The arms of the ‘H’ will stop the lights sliding off.

I like to wrap the card in tissue paper first to provide a little cushioning for the lights. (I also keep Christmas card boxes to store them in – they’re rigid but you can often see what’s inside through the clear plastic.)

Old hose reels are good for both these and for strings of tinsel or beads, but again, create some outer protection from bumps and dust.

 

4. Hatboxes

OK, so maybe you didn’t get a hatbox in amongst your Christmas gifts, but these big round boxes are great for storing circular wreaths,

Wrap them in tissue, removing any small, removable pieces which can be popped into boxes in the centre, padded as required.

Another good way to store wreaths is to hand them at the back of a cupboard or wardrobe, using  florist’s wire or ties to attach each wreath -  a strong wire hanger may prove enough. Cover in clean plastic bags or even better the see-through dry-cleaners’ plastic bags.  (The one that you were given when you collected your best dress for the Christmas party, of course!)

 

5. Boxes for garlands

Any big enough box is great for garlands. Make sure they’ve not been trailed in food or left hanging with bits of burst balloon as you pack, and dust/clean as needed. Wrap them in clean tissue paper or packing paper, and try and wind them rather than fold them to avoid kinks forming in time for next year, or creating deformed bits of tinsel that just won’t head in the right direction.

Again, if there are removable bits, remove them, protect and pack them individually and store together.

 

6. Boxes for mantels

Whether you have a mantel cloth, a tablecloth, place mats or runners, these should all be washed, well dried and aired before being stored to avoid damp and mould - and ironed to saver space.

Anything that’s not specifically Christmassy, that will perhaps emerge for Valentine’s Day or Hallowe’en next year, maybe even just large family gatherings, think about a drawer instead, where you can get constant easy access.

Note: Don’t forget to label everything well, and mark ‘fragile’ or this way up where needed.

 

If you need somewhere to safely store the Christmas paraphernalia until next year, remember that easyStorage offers cheap, effective storage, and that easyStorage Boxes offers all you can need wrapping and packing safely.