Minimizing & Organizing During the Holidays
The holidays are full of stuff — oddly shaped stuff. This can cause an organizing and minimizing nightmare. There are all these little glass balls, and strings of various things — lights, garlands, beads, ice cycles, etc. If you are like me, you probably have a few other odds and ends that just don’t fit in a standard box.
Let’s look at how to organize Christmas tree ornaments
as well as those odd and ends.
Do it your self ornament storage.
Go to your local liquor store and get some of the wine boxes. You can place your ornaments in each slot. Just be sure that you put something soft between glass ornaments. For example, I have some little stuffed animals that I use for ornaments and decoration. I place those between and around the glass to protect the ornaments. You could even roll up a stocking, tree skirt, or Santa hat for some protection.
Purchase an ornament storage box.
If you have a lot of really special ornaments, it might be worth it to you to invest in a storage container like this that has a divider for your ornaments. This will protect your ornaments better. If you purchase them AFTER the holiday season end, then you will definitely get a much better deal. I have a lot of ornaments that I love dearly, so I made the investment in an ornament storage box.
Here is what they have on Amazon.
Let’s look at how to organize strings of lights, garland, etc.
Do it your self storage option 1.
Basically, you take a piece of cardboard and wrap the lights around the cardboard. You can cut a slit to insert the start and end of the lights, garland, etc. I’ve stored my lights this way for years, and every other year I have to use a new piece of card board. It works, but I am considering a new system for this year.
Do it yourself storage option 2.
Basically, you wrap the strand of holiday decor around the hanger. You tie the start and the end of the strand to the hanger to keep it in place. I am considering this option to replace the cardboard.
Purchase a tool to wrap the strand.
This is about as basic of a tool as they come. You simply wrap the strand of lights, garland, etc around this tool. I saw this, and it made me realize just how inadequate my cardboard solution is. This is actually where my research for this blog post began. :)
I found this one on Amazon.
Purchase a tool to roll the strand.
You might consider a tool like this. This tool seems to be more for outdoor lights. Additionally, I just don’t have that many light, but you might want to consider something like this.
Here is what they have on Amazon.
How to use holiday decorations to minimize.
Ornaments bring back memories.
Before child (B.C.), I travelled a lot. Nearly every summer I would head to a new destination. Every time I pull out this ornament, I remember back to my friend, Wen, and I running all over the Dromoland Castle Hotel in the free robes and slippers that came with the room. (Yes, we were in our late 20s, maybe early 30’s…but who can resist Home Alone style fun?!)
Most of my ornaments bring back memories like this. It is a wonderful way for me to minimize the rest of the year. Rather than purchase tee shirts or other items I don’t really need, I always get ornaments and magnets that I can use to display my memories.
No matter the strategy you use, make a plan now for what you will do with your holiday decor. Your future self will thank you.
