Holiday Organizing Tips

November 23, 2010

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Credit: Bryan Gardner

These holiday organizing tips will save you time and space before, during, and after, your Christmas celebration.

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Try a Box with Dividers for Not-So-Precious Ornaments

Credit: Bryan Gardner

A segmented cardboard box -- whether store-bought or a wine box -- is great for sturdier ornaments. Our editors recommend cardboard boxes, which don’t trap moisture as plastic bins do. If possible, avoid storing decorations in the basement or attic, where humidity and temperature fluctuate throughout the year. Instead, opt for a closet or under a bed.

Archival ornament-storage boxes (similar to shown), from $25 each, containerstore.com

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Keep Lights in Working Order

Credit: Bryan Gardner

1. Test each strand before putting it away. (Replace dead bulbs, and discard strands that don’t work.)

2. Keep all extra bulbs and fuses together in a kit.

3. Make a loop with each strand and wrap the ends around the loop, as shown.

4. Store each strand in its own sealed one-gallon freezer bag to prevent tangling. Leave some air in the bag to act as a cushion that will protect the bulbs.

5. Stack the sealed bags in a large storage container.

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Help Your Bow Keep Its Shape

Credit: Bryan Gardner

Untying a bow or ironing out creases can damage some ribbon (especially older pieces). Avoid both by storing bows intact: To make sure the loops don’t crimp in storage, cut cardboard tubes and wrap them with paper towels so that they fit snugly inside. Store flat in a shallow box, either plastic or cardboard.

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Safeguard Fragile Ornaments

Credit: Bryan Gardner

Editor in chief Eric Pike uses tissue paper to individually wrap each vintage ornament in his collection. Here’s his process:

1. Center the ornament on a short side of a rectangle of tissue paper (acid-free is best because it has no chemicals that can harm delicate pieces).

2. Roll the ornament in the tissue, creating a tube with a bump in the center. Fold one side over.

3. Flip the ornament over, and fold the remaining side over in the opposite direction (like a Z), creating thick padding on the sides.

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Wrap and Ship Station

Martha shows how to organize wrapping and shipping supplies, keeping items labeled and all in one place to save time when gift-wrapping.

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Storing Christmas Lights

Get the Light Storage How-To

Next year, don't spend a minute sorting through tangled webs of holiday decorations. Keep lights organized by winding each strand around a piece of cardboard cut to fit inside a plastic bin.

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Displaying Christmas Cards

Hanging like ornaments from an arrangement of graceful branches, Christmas cards look wonderful.

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Twine Dispenser

Keep unruly balls of twine in line with big aluminum funnels. Twine makes a great alternative to ribbon on wrapped gifts.

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Safe Ornament Storage

Get the Ornament Storage How-To

Protect your dearest ornaments from damage as you pack up after the holiday this year.

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Candle Protectors

Loose candles can get damaged easily when stored in drawers. Use paper-towel tubes -- the perfect size and shape -- to protect them.

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Protect Your Wreath

Credit: Bryan Gardner

Crafts director Marcie McGoldrick likes plastic storage boxes for wreaths made from pinecones or artificial greenery: Embellishments stay intact and attached. If your wreath is made with organic materials, poke small holes in the plastic to allow proper ventilation.

Snaplock wreath-storage box, 24", $15, containerstore.com

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Portable Gift-Wrapping Station

This portable pail is a cinch to make and will allow for gift-wrapping in any room.

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Under-Bed Supply Station

Mount your gift-wrapping tools to a wheeled tabletop you can tuck away to save space.

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Ornament Care

See the Ornament Care Guide

Keep your ornaments in top shape from year to year with our guide to care, repair and storage.

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Tree-Trimming 101

See the Tree-Trimming Guide

From the set-up to the finishing touches, we have a step-by-step strategy to make your Christmas tree look perfect.

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