New year, fresh start

Happy New Year! I’m always sad to see the holidays pass by but it’s fun to ring in a new year. I usually never take down my decor until after New Years Day (sometimes not even until the end of January 🥴) so I tend to start off the new year inundated with decor takedown and organization.

I feel either most people do minimal decorating and have little to takedown or they do a lot and already have a system that works for them. Nonetheless, through my years of crazy decorating these are the takedown and storage tips I’ve found that work best.

First off, take pictures of each tree, room and/or holiday scene and put them in a “Christmas 2022” folder on your phone. This way if you want to decorate the same next year, you’ll have pics to remember how you styled your trees, shelves, mantles etc.

Shelves over bins. If you have the space and are able, it’s way easier to organize decorations on shelves than it is to stuff them all in bins, leave the bins for your Christmas tree ornaments. I’ve gone the all bin route and I found it to be more of a pain and not even a space saver when it comes down to it. Anything I set out for decor, I try to put on shelves, that way next year when it’s time to decorate, I’m able to see what I have. I organize the decorations by rooms so next year it’s an easy grab and I know what goes where.

Bins for each Christmas tree. When I take the decorations off my trees I organize the decor for each tree in a separate bin. I use all clear bins so I can see what’s in each.

These are no brainers but if you have the space, keep all of your decor in the same spot. Putting it in random places all over the house leads to frustration next holiday season. I do use separate bins for my pine cones, picks, berries, ribbon etc. because those are easier to deal with if they’re contained.

Take down each room or holiday scene one at a time. I tackle my kitchen, put it all away, then keep going from room to room.

It’s funny how spaces feel a bit empty once you strip away your holiday decor. Plants are a great way to freshen up your space after the holidays!