The holiday season is upon us and that means it’s time to begin decking your halls with festive decorations. While this is meant to be a fun and joyous time, it can end up feeling like more of a pain than a joy. That’s because most people are stressed out by the very thought of having to lug loads of boxes out of the attic, only to end up spending another few hours sifting through junk to find the decorations they actually use. All this to say that the holiday season doesn’t have to be stressful. Sorting through and organizing all of your holiday decorations can help you make the most of your holiday season. Here we will explore some of the best ways to declutter and organize your holiday decorations in a systematic way.

1. Purge and Declutter

Most of us have collected boxes and boxes of decorations over the years but we find ourselves only using a portion of these decorations. It’s time to go through and look at all of your decorations and get rid of the items you haven’t used in a while. After all, there’s no point in taking up space storing unnecessary items. Go through your holiday boxes one at a time and set aside any decorations that are broken or you no longer use. Consider donating these items rather than keeping them stuffed away in a box. Purging your decorations will allow more space for storage and it will also help you decide which items (if any) that you need to purchase or replace this year.

2. Sort and Group by Category

Now that you are left with the decorations you plan to use, it’s time to sort them by category. For example, soft items like stockings, throw pillows, and the tree skirt can go together while garland and greenery should be packed together. Keep indoor lights together and pack outdoor lights separately. You will also want to store ornaments together and things like snowglobes, candles, or other tabletop decorations together. Grouping like items together will make it easier to organize your decorations as you pack them.

3. Organize Decorations into Bins or Boxes

The key to keeping your holiday decorations organized is to make sure that everything has a place. Plastic, watertight bins make a great storage solution for most decorations. You can even choose colored bins to help you easily identify the decorations. Be sure to pack like items together so you can keep your contents organized. Here are some packing tips for holiday decorations:

●Pack ornaments in an ornament box with dividers. This will prevent ornaments from getting damaged while they are in storage.

●Use extra large bins for garland and large greenery. Pack smaller pieces of greenery in ziploc bags and place the ziploc bags in the bins.

●Use smaller bins for heavier items.

●Wrap strand lights around cardboard tubes to keep them from getting tangled.

●Store wreaths in wreath boxes or hang them on clothing hangers and wrap with a plastic bag to keep bugs away.

●Store all wrapping supplies together including paper, tissues, ribbon, bows, and gift tags.

●Be sure to wrap all fragile items with tissue, packing paper, or bubble wrap before packing.

●Store your artificial tree in a plastic storage bag that can be zipped to keep bugs and critters away.

4. Label Bins and Create an Inventory

As you pack items, it is important to keep an inventory of the bin contents so you can be better prepared for next year. Knowing exactly what you have and where it is can save you a ton of time, but it can also prevent you from buying items you already own. There are different ways to keep an inventory of your decorations so choose a method that works for you.

●Start by labeling each bin with a number.

●Keep a written record of the contents of each bin by jotting it down in a holiday notebook. Describe each item inside your bins as well as the quantity.

●Keep a binder with photographs. You can also take pictures of each item and place it in a binder along with the corresponding bin number.

●Use an organizing app. There are a number of apps available that can help you organize and create an inventory of your holiday decorations.

5. Choose an Appropriate Storage Location

Now that you have neatly organized all of your holiday  decorations and created an inventory of everything you have, it’s time to find a place to store all of your bins and boxes. Many people choose to store items in their attic, but be mindful of temperature fluctuations and humidity as well as moths and other critters. Some people also store items in spare closets or under their beds. Another great option for those who are short on storage space is to rent a portable storage unit. This is a convenient way to store all of your holiday decorations neatly out of the way. You can even arrange to have your portable storage unit transported to a storage facility for long-term storage. This is a great way to free up space in your home while also keeping your holiday decorations neatly and safely tucked away.