When the buzz of the festive season is all done and dusted, and it’s time to take down the decos, it’s tempting to pack away your Christmas tree in an exhausted frenzy – opting to ‘deal with it next year’. With a system of storage containers and a little of your well-organised time, you can pack it all away efficiently, ready for a stress-free set-up next year. Here’s how.
Love your lights
Carefully remove the lights from your tree and neatly lay them out on your floor. Untangle any bunched up lights and remove any knots. Remove tinsel, pine needles or any other leftover decoration that may have ended up attached to the string of lights. Using the same technique you would use to neatly wind up an extension cord or length of rope (in an ideal world!), loop the lights into a bundle over your hand and elbow. Lay the looped lights on your floor, placing the adapter by the side. Put a large rubber band over each end of the lights to keep them bundled. Place lights and the adapter in a plastic storage tub with a lid – neat, organised and ready for next year.
Top tip: If used, store a dedicated set of extension cords or power boards with your Christmas lights so they’re ready to go when you need them next time.
All that sparkles
Remove tinsel from your tree and place it in a stackable plastic storage container with a lid. Remove knots and tangles and untie and decos that may be caught up.
Top tip: To store tinsel, opt for containers that match the size of other container systems that you’re using so that you make the best use of your available storage space.
Delightful decorations
Rather than piling all your hanging decorations into one large tub, choose smaller tubs to stow your collection. Durable decos can be stored together – perhaps colour-coded, ready for next year. Breakable decorations need a bit more TLC. Take the time to wrap each hanging decoration in bubble wrap or tissue paper and place them gently in their own storage tub. Remember to label each tub!
Top tip: Line the tubs with bubble wrap for an added layer of protection and fill the entire containers so there are no gaps – that way the decos won’t move around once they’re stowed away.
Oh, Christmas tree!
So, you have an artificial Christmas tree? Don’t just strip it of decos and shove it in the garage or attic. Take the time to store it correctly – that way it will last longer, remain clean and look its best year-after-year. To do this, flatten the branches one at a time, pressing them in towards the central column. Pull the tree apart in sections. If you have the original box it came in, you can try to pack it away in reverse order. Alternatively, purchase large plastic storage tubs and stack each component inside – including the tree stand.
Top tip: To make efficient use of storage space, purchase a set of stackable storage containers with lids that secure firmly.
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