- Decorations that were simply thrown into a box, bin or bag last year with no thought given to Christmas decorating the following year.
- Having to open every single box, bin and bag to even see what each one contains.
- Not having a vision or even an inkling of how I think I’ll be decorating next year.
- Not having a decorating timeline to work from so that I feel overwhelmed trying to figure out where to start.
TIP #1: MAKE A LIST OF WHAT WORKED WELL (OR DIDN‘T)
Did you decorate in a way that you especially liked? Or did you do something that didn’t work well and you don’t want to repeat?
- While it’s still fresh in your mind, make a list of everything you loved this year and everything you didn’t.
- Store the list in a Christmas storage box. Label the box with a #1, if you can, so it will be the first box that you open next year.
- Take pictures of things that you did and did not love and store them in a folder on your phone marked “Christmas Ideas” or something like that.
TIP #2: ORGANIZE & PURGE NOW
I struggle with this tip the most because by now, I’m a just a little bit tired of “messing with Christmas”, if you know what I mean. But – this is a big one that I force myself to do each year because I know that the reward when I’m ready to decorate for Christmas next year will be well worth it!
There are many different methods for organizing your decor, but below are a few of my favorites. Choose the one that works best for you!
- Use see-through bins, so that you can get a glimpse of what each bin contains.
- If you decorate the same way from year to year, pack your decorations away by room.
- Pack decorations by category – tree decorations, mantel decorations, centerpiece/table decorations and so on.
- If changing things up each year is more your style (that’s me!), pack decorations by color.
- Clean and repair any items that may need it before packing them away for next year.
TIP #3: STORE EVERYTHING IN ONE LOCATION
If space allows, try to store your Christmas decorations all in one location. Spreading them around in different places in your home is kind of like hiding presents – you can never remember where you put them all.
If you don’t have the space to store them all in one place, write where the rest of the decorations are located on a piece of paper, then lay that note in the top of the box that you’re sure to remember the location of.
Another idea is to take of picture of where decorations are stored with your phone and save it to that same “Christmas Ideas” folder that I mentioned in tip #1.
TIP #4: CREATE A PINTEREST BOARD
Create a Pinterest board in your account titled “Christmas 2020 (or whatever the next year is)”. Add pins of inspiring Christmas ideas throughout the year. As you begin to pull your decorating thoughts together for next Christmas, this will jump start your creative juices!
Try to refer to the board from time to time throughout the year to remind yourself to keep your eye out for bargains on items that you can use next year.
TIP #5: KEEP A RUNNING LIST
It’s inevitable that you’ll think of things throughout the year that you’d like to try next year. The problem is remembering them all by the time the season rolls around again. This has happened to me SO many times!
Here’s where your phone can come to the rescue again. Use a reminder app for your phone to make notes of things as you think of them. You should be able to create a folder within the app titled “Christmas Ideas” or something similar.
TIP #6: USE SPECIALLY DESIGNED STORAGE
Take advantage of storage containers that are especially for Christmas decorations! They’re specifically designed to protect all of your most treasured items.
There are lots and lots of choices out there, but I’ve rounded up some of my favorites in my Amazon Christmas Storeage Storefront, which you can see HERE.
Designs By Pinky says
Great ideas. All those boxes you have marked with numbers: I have that many JUST for the tree!!!!!!! I probably have at least 60 boxes of Christmas decor. I know….I am crazy. But I always say I will keep doing it til they put mE in a box:):):) XO, Pinky
Kim @ Savvy Southern Style says
Wow, you are way more organized than I am. What a great space to store stuff in the garage. Never thought about adding a shelf there. Of course we don’t have shelves anywhere and that is why we have such a mess.
Carol says
Putting away Christmas decor is always a chore for me. My organization is very similar to yours. I have 13 bins, all stored in the attic. I know, YIKES! My bins are numbered and I have a list that I store on my computer on Microsoft Office Word.
I haven’t started putting away Christmas yet, I need to get started soon. It always looks so bare when it’s gone.
Smiles,
Carol
Katie says
very impressed with your organization skills!
Hibiscus House says
I am impressed! A few years back I did this and took pictures of key items taped to the ends of the boxes. It works great you go to the box and see what is inside…Now lol here is my problem, I store them in my shed…sounds good, but not! I then have a solid year to store things in front of my meticulously stored Christmas Decor….I have to solve that problem. You did that great in your garage you can get to yours….Great job.
Sue says
I love seeing how you organize your stuff Suzy. I, too, vow every year to try to keep everything together. I have the most problem with the cheap pack of ornament hooks – I must have a million because I have to buy new packs each year because I don’t know where my old ones are. LOL So, tomorrow I start the process. Fun times.
Happy New Year
Honey at 2805 says
Wow! What organizational skills!
Terrific projects all!
What a pleasure it has been getting to know you this year!
Thank you for being a friend to me and 2805 and for sharing at Potpourri Friday. I wish you a healthy, prosperous and sparkling New Year!
CAS says
This is a super plan, Suzy! I’ve done some similar things before, but this year I’m going about the storage totally differently. I’ve been filling my storage boxes randomly, because what I discovered this year, is that I like using items in lots of different ways in different rooms and probably won’t do it the same way next year. My plan is to open up all the boxes next year in the garage & just start moving things around here and there. I may be totally frustrated with this decision when I start that process next year, but it certainly makes packing the decor away much easier & requires fewer boxes.
CAS
Miss Kitty says
Thanks for sharing your organizational tips with us! I am taking down decorations today and I’m going to try your technique…I have had the same problem of outside labels falling off of the storage boxes. I saw your post over at “Meet Me Monday”. I am following you now to learn even more from you!
Paxton says
Holy Christmas! I love it! I love that you have so many tubs full of decorations! All of our decorations still fit into just one giant tub with masking tape labeled “Christmas”
I love the storage over the garage door too! Brilliant!
Good job finally getting the decorations organized the way you want! I love that feeling!
Natasha says
great organizing!!! i so need to do this!
Natasha xx
Check out my link party!
http://www.serenityyou.blogspot.com/search/label/Serenity%20Saturday
Barb J. says
So organized and efficient… I love it!
kayjax51 says
Great ideas for organizing your Christmas bins and I love the storage in the garage. Just pinned both ideas!!
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Doni says
I am so excited because this is the year to organize. Now I have a plan. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Susanne says
Thanks Suzy for the organizing tips on putting Christmas decorations away. I have determined to get better at it this year. I bought all the bins already. The inventory list and numbering system is a great way to pack up everything. I intend to get busy this weekend after my last wave of guests go home.
Suzy @ Worthing Court says
I Susanne. I’m glad that you found my numbering system helpful. Packing Christmas decorations away is one of my least favorite things to do, but at least I don’t dread pulling them all out again every year. :/ Happy New Year!
Kathleen says
I’m here from a link you provided, and so GLAD I saw this!!! That shelf location is GENIUS! I never thought about that spot as a usable area … duh! So, snapping a pic and showing it to hubs for next Christmas. (Just one problem ~ we have to clear enough floor space to be able to work under the planned shelf area to install!)
Oh, well, all in due time, all in due time! Thx for linking back to this great post!
Connie Gould says
Hi Suzy! I love your blog. And your home looked so gorgeous for Christmas!! I have a question about storing Christmas decorations. I purchased some see through bins and was wondering…do you use tissue paper or something heavier to wrap some of your breakable items? Would really appreciate your advice since my husband and I have moved alot and I’m in the habit of using thick layers of newspaper for breakable things. Could I get by with a light wrap of paper or tissue since I usually store boxes in my basement but switching to clear bins. Wishing you a Happy New Year!
Connie Gould
Suzy says
Hi Connie. I’m sorry for taking so long to reply! I don’t use newspaper at all because I’ve had a problem with ink rubbing off onto whatever I’ve wrapped with it. To store my breakables, I use tissue paper, paper towels, plastic grocery bags and bubble wrap. I love grabbing all of that stuff when we unwrap presents every year and adding it to my stash!
Connie Gould says
Thanks Suzy! That helps alot. I know what you mean by an interior designer wannabee. I spent two years in an interior designer program but ended up not liking the drawing of floor plans and rendering Ugh. But found I had a talent for decorating and an eye for textiles and especially love doing vignettes and tablescapes. I never did finish school and have since retired but have such a passion for decorating my home. You have so many neat things on your blog and I look forward to your weekly posts.
Connie Gould
Melanie says
These are all great tips. I had plans to purge this year as I was putting my Christmas decorations away, but I just got overwhelmed and tired and shoved everything in my bins just to be finished. Maybe I will purge as I am going through everything next year.
Suzy says
I know what you mean! I want to do the exact same thing and truly have to FORCE myself to be even the slightest bit organized when putting it all away. It’s so hard! I’m glad you found the tips helpful!
Sherry says
Thank you for sharing your list. Christmas preparations are not easy with the kids though. I just feel so confused and overwhelmed when Christmas time approaches, too many presents to buy and packs and I always have to plan stuff ahead of time regarding our trip. I try to take care of everything before Christmas but it is not easy being a single mother. Anyways thank you for sharing such a great post. Keep writing for us your posts are very inspirational.
Suzy says
Hi Sherry. I understand exactly how overwhelming it can all be! I hope that by using some of these tips, starting now, it won’t be quite as overwhelming for you. 😀 I hope you have a less stressful 2020!
Mary says
Hey Suzy,
I am late to replying to this post. After reading your current post, I just browsed thru previous post and landed on this one. For me, one of the thing that would be helpful for Christmas decorating, is for bloggers (like you) that I look to for inspiration would do a Christmas in July post. Hobby Lobby usually starts putting their decorations out in July, not sure what this year will look like, but I think about Christmas at that time, but never plan what I want my season to look like cause I have no ideas.
Suzy says
Thank you for the suggestion!