Family Resource Management
Living for Today — Planning for Tomorrow
News You Can Use
January is the Time to Undeck the Halls
Do you add to your holiday décor each year? Where do you store everything?
Lights
If you just whip off the lights from the house and the tree and toss into a box you will hate yourself next November when you find them twisted and tangled and broken. Wrap them around an empty paper towel or wrapping paper roll. Cut a notch in one end of the roll and tuck the end of the string of lights in the notch and begin rolling them around the tube. When you get to the other end of the tube, make another notch for the end of the string. Roll each string of lights separately. Label each as you go – indoor or outdoor, tree lights or decorative strands, etc. make sure you discard any that are not functional.
Large lights or extra long lengths can be rolled in a circle. Delicate, expensive or special lights can be stored in the type of inexpensive plastic bowls that come with covers. The lights will not get crushed and you can stack them for storage.
Christmas Trees
Taking down the tree takes two people. For real trees, get a tree bag to avoid needles getting all over your floor. Make sure the bag is large enough to cover the base of the tree and long enough to cover its height. A large covering, like a plastic shower curtain, can also protect your floor as you take down your tree.
Artificial trees can be stored fully assembled in Christmas tree storage bags. Simply open the bag, “fold” up the limbs on the tree as directed (Did you keep the instructions that came with your tree?) place the tree carefully into the bag and zip it up! Lack of storage space may dictate that you dismantle the tree and keep it in a box. It that is the case, just make sure to identify the branches, base and stem, unless you like jigsaw puzzles.
Ornaments
Dust the ornaments before you store them. Used fabric softener sheets work well. (You can also use these to wrap ornaments for storage.) Shoe boxes, plastic storage cartons and metal popcorn canisters work well for storing ornaments. Do not overcrowd the ornaments in the container or force the lid to close. Label each container with the type of ornaments in each one. Delicate elongated ornaments can be stored inside a toilet paper tube. Smaller items can be placed in egg cartons.
Wrapping Paper
Make an inventory list of the Christmas paper you have before you store it so you won’t buy what you don’t need next season. Long plastic storage containers that fit under the bed work well to store wrapping paper. You can simply lay several rolls of paper on the floor and tie them together with string and then slip them into a large garbage bag. Some people store their paper and ribbons in an old suitcase. Just remember to label the container where you store it.
More tips…
- Dust silk flowers before storing them with a blow-dryer, set on cool.
- Save empty baby wipe boxes for storing gift tags.
- Store Christmas dishes in plastic wrap or stacked in Ziplocä bags.
- Always launder Christmas tablecloths and napkins prior to storing. Old spills will oxidize during storage and can be difficult, if not impossible, to remove.
- Artificial wreaths can be stored in a large pillowcase or in a large plastic bag. Wrap some tissue paper around the wreath first. If the ribbon gets flattened during storage, plump it up with a curling iron.
- Make a note of what seasonal items you have stored and where you have put them.
