When it comes to holiday decor, one thing is for sure: the more, the merrier. But the troubling afterthought is, what do you do with all of those decorations once the holiday has passed? Here are a few ideas to help you alleviate this worry and effectively reestablish order and tidiness in your home after the holiday madness fades.
Leave out decor that fits into the general winter season
After New Year’s Day, the immediate, burdening thought is all your holiday decor has to be taken down and stowed away. Some elements, however, could fit into the larger category of seasonal decor that carries you through all of January, February, and even March! From dreamy string lights to carefully laid garlands and faux fur throw blankets, leave the “holiday” decor that is neutral enough to continue generating joy all season long.
Make charitable donations
The season of giving shouldn’t end when the holidays do. As you take down your decor, take inventory of what you have. Are there items you didn’t even put out this season? Perhaps there are things you know you won’t be using next year. Consider donating these pieces if they’re in good condition. You might do this by passing the decor onto someone who always admired it, or you could take it to a shelter or secondhand store. When you donate the items, you can feel good about giving these items you once loved a second life and brightening someone else’s day.
Implement a proper organizational system
Once you decide what you want to keep, consider revamping the way you store the decor. Do you currently throw everything in opaque containers that you must pull out and dig through every year? Swap out your old boxes with clear bins so you can easily see what’s inside. You can also use storage drawers for ornaments instead of keeping them in their individual boxes. This method saves a ton of space. And don’t forget to label containers with what’s inside! A system like this makes decorating and un-decorating much easier.
Be creative with storage containers
Depending on how many you need, organizational bins can become expensive. Save some money and get creative with the storage containers you want to use. You can repurpose wire bins to hold seasonal wrapping paper and hard plastic book bins for gift bags and tissue paper. Additionally, you can use small Tupperware to organize gift tags, ribbons, and bows. Chances are you have an unused container around the house — use that to help you organize your decor on a budget.
Repurpose household items in your organization
In the spirit of repurposing, use what you once considered post-holiday garbage as a crafty organizational tool. How can you achieve this? Wrap string lights around panels from cardboard boxes and tuck chords into the cardboard cylinders from paper towels. You can also use egg cartons to stow smaller decor and ornaments. These methods of storage are easy, free, and eco-friendly!
You don’t have to feel overwhelmed when taking down your holiday decor. Think purposefully about the decor you have and you can devise a more efficient way of storing it, leave some items out for a few months longer, or give the decor a new home.
If you want to give your home a post-holiday makeover, our professional interior designers are here to help. Contact us today at 248-906-9300 to schedule your complimentary in-home consultation!
