As a professional organizer and concierge based in Houston, TX I have learned A LOT throughout the last 15 years in business. We constantly help clients get organized and organizing Christmas and holiday decorations is something we do a TON of from October - January every year. Clients call upon us to help with with everything from decorating to gift wrapping to help with parties to buying gifts to shipping gifts and the list goes on and on.
You will notice I will mention several times to store things in weathertight or plastic boxes not cardboard because bugs can eat away at the cardboard.
Personally, as a professional organizer I keep VERY detailed notes for clients that we work with year after year and keep everything in a binder. This helps us stay organized and we know what we are doing each year, things we want to change, items we need to buy, etc.
All items below are linked on the Eco Modern Concierge Holiday Storage Organization shop page.
Donate unused items. Donate items you no longer like or use. If items are broken throw them in the trash if they can't be repaired. This way you can make room for new decorations you may have accumulated. It is also great to donate items throughout your house you no longer want or need to make room for new items you get like toys, clothes, household goods, etc.
Clean and dust decorations before storing them. Be sure to properly clean decorations before storing so they are ready to go for the following year.
Use weathertight or plastic bins. If you are storing holiday decorations in the attic, basement, storage shed or in the garage consider using weathertight bins because they help keep humidity out. If you use plastic bins I suggest using ones that are transparent unless you are going for a certain aesthetic or don't have a preference. I also like using all of the same kind of bin if at all possible.
LABEL! Label all boxes on the outside of the box. If you needed to use nails, tacks, command hooks, ribbon, etc for certain items be sure to put them in separate baggies and label them. Label as much as you can to make the following year much easier.
Use archival tissue or boxes. I really like to use archival tissue paper when storing linens. Then I like to store them in weathertight bins, archival boxes or in a drawer of furniture you may already have.
Use hanging bags. If you do not want to store linens in plastic bins or boxes, consider using hanging bags and storing them in a closet. I like using cloth hanging bags.
Ornaments. Store them in ornament boxes if you have them. If you don't like storing them in specific ornament boxes wrap with tissue or bubble wrap. If they are glass ornaments be sure to wrap them really well and make sure there is enough cushion in the boxes you are storing them in. Here are some products I love to use when storing ornaments and breakable items:
Dry clean linens. All linens used from the holidays should be washed or dry cleaned before putting them away. That way they are ready to go for the following year. This includes tree skirts, pillow shams, blankets, tablecloths, napkins, towels, etc. Sometimes I also use mold away packs in closets, attics or confined spaces to help absorb the humidity as well.
Dish ware. If you don't have a cabinet or piece of furniture that you store them in, be sure to wrap them well and store them in plastic boxes or store them in specific dish holders.
Silver storage. Use silver storage or anti tarnishing cloths to store silver in. Put on your calendar to clean and polish silver at the beginning of November of the following year that way you are ready for Thanksgiving, Christmas and Hanukkah.
Sort boxes. People like to sort items in so many different ways. I like to sort decorations in boxes by room or area because it makes it easier to put up and take down decorations year after year.
Inventory boxes. Inventory what goes in the boxes that way if you are looking for a specific box you know exactly what's in it. Plus, it makes it easy to when you go put the decorations up.
Update your addresses. As Christmas and holiday cards are coming in or ones you received this year, this is a great time to update addresses for next year and addresses you want to add to your list for next year.
Get a plug with a remote. If you have the plugs with remotes then you probably love them. No more bending over to plug in lights, decor, etc. It is a game changer and everyone needs them.
Use wreath bags. If you have fake wreaths use wreath bags or boxes to store them.
Separate lights. In order to keep lights organized, use cord wrap or put into individual baggies. Label baggies or cord wraps as to where the lights belong. Do they belong on the tree, outdoor garland, etc.?
Use gift wrap storage. I love using this gift wrap bin. This is the tall version so it holds most large rolls of wrapping paper. You can keep rolls together with velcro or slap bracelets.
Maintain Large Bows. To help large bows keep their shape put balled up tissue paper between the loops or use toilet paper rolls to help bows keep their shape. Roll the loose ends of the bows up with tissue paper or toilet paper rolls.
Buy replacements at the end of the season. If you run out of something like gift wrap, tape, ornament hooks, lights, etc. buy them at the end of the season when everything goes on sale.
Take pictures of your decorations. If you have not taken your decorations down yet, take pictures of how you have it for the following year.
Make a list of notes for next year. If you hosted a party make notes if you ran out of anything, things that need to be changed, vendors used, etc. Did you run out of certain items? Make a list of what additional items you may need. Make notes of how you had things, sizes of items you need like wreaths, garlands, etc. Do you have certain stores you like to go to for certain holiday items. Many of my clients like to go Trader Joe's for live garland and wreaths, Costco for large red poinsettias, etc.
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