I appeared on the Fox 32 Good Day Chicago Christmas Special on Christmas morning and shared tips to declutter and organize holiday decorations after the holidays. In case you missed it, I wanted to give you all the details here. Read to the end and find the link to download my tips.

After the holidays is a perfect time to get organized. Start now – declutter and organize holiday decorations before storing them away!

Holiday decorations hold special meaning. Preserve these memories by creating order for these treasures to enjoy now and for future generations.

Before packing away your decorations, here’s a simple idea to make decorating easier next year. Take photos of the decorations you have set up. Next year, use your photos as a guide for decorating and save yourself time and energy!

Declutter and Organize Holiday Decorations

Declutter and organize holiday decorations using these simple tips. If you want to put this off till next year when taking out your decorations, think again! Time is always in short supply before the holidays, right? You’ll save time, energy, and frustration by tackling this project now. Your future self will thank you!

Tip #1 – Declutter

Declutter decorations you no longer use, want, or cherish. This clutter just gets in the way. Decorations you can declutter include:

  • Decorations you no longer enjoy
  • Decorations you avoid using year after year
  • Anything broken, worn out, or beyond repair if you know you won’t fix

Emotional attachments make this hard. Consider donating items that can be used. Ask family members to choose any they’d like to own. But toss anything that is broken or just plain worn out.

Keepsake items and memorabilia accumulate and multiply. Pick out your favorites and let go of the rest. Take a photo if you want to remember. Store special keepsake items, like gifts your children made for you, to keep them protected.

Keep those old holiday lights out of the landfills by finding a recycling location near you. Find recycling location for string lights near you by clicking and entering your zip code.

Benefit: By letting go of the clutter, your most treasured decorations will sparkle even brighter.

Tip #2 – Storage Containers

Protect your precious holiday decorations with suitable storage containers. Be mindful of the space available and access for storage. Larger containers can be heavy and hard to handle if storage is in an attic accessed with a ladder, on a narrow shelf, or in a small closet. Smaller containers are easier to store and handle.

  • Cardboard boxes deteriorate over time. Consider replacing them with plastic storage totes. Protect the investment you’ve made in your decorations. Plastic totes can be easily stacked. Stacking is helpful if space is at a premium.
  • Wrap fragile ornaments or use ornament storage boxes to protect them.
  • Storage bags are useful for decorations that aren’t fragile – wreaths, swags, or soft goods. Large, heavy items or bags with handles can be hung from attic rafters or on the wall. Look for specialized storage bags for artificial trees.
  • Zip top bags help keep like items together in your storage containers.
  • Keep especially fragile ornaments, decorations, and candles in a climate controlled area such as a closet. For fragile items, avoid attics and garages because these spaces are hot in the summer and cold in the winter.
storage for holiday decorations

Plastic storage bin for holiday decorations

ornament storage box

Ornament storage box protects fragile ornaments

Benefit: Protection and proper storage will keep your holiday decorations beautiful year after year.

Tip #3 – Pack Decorations by Room

  • Pack decorations for each room or category together. Then you can decorate one area at a time without taking out everything at the same time.
  • When putting decorations into storage, store the items you’ll need first so you can access them without pulling everything else out. You’ll want access to outdoor lights and decorations before your indoor decorations
  • Label storage containers with the contents. Instead of generic descriptions like “HOLIDAY DECORATIONS”, be specific about what is in each container.

    labeled storage container

    Storage container for holiday decorations with specific label of contents

Benefit: Decorating will be less overwhelming and bring you more joy next year.

Taking the time to declutter and organize holiday decorations now will save time, energy, and frustration next year. You won’t regret it!

For a free download of these tips to declutter and organize holiday decorations, click here: Tips to Declutter and Organize Holiday Decorations

If you still need help figuring out what to keep and what to toss, get your free copy of my Original Clutter Flow chart and companion article at: bit.ly/InnovativeOrganizerClutterFlowChart

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