How To Wrap Up Your Year With A Little Organization Know How

A new year is just around the corner and with it comes January, a month of new beginnings and good intentions. It’s time of year when many of us like to start fresh but before we do, there may be a few loose ends to tie up from 2005. The Christmas decorations for starters. There’s the tree to take down, the lights and ornaments to pack away not to mention, finding room to store all the half-price wrapping paper that seemed like a steal at this year’s boxing day sales.

I’m sure we’d all agree that putting up the decorations is the fun part and taking it all down is more of a chore. My motto has always been, the sooner you start – the sooner you’ll be finished. Now, I’m not suggesting when and where you do it, only when you do – take a deep breath, roll up your sleeves and attack it with gusto!

When it comes to packing things away there are two methods of attack you can just tear through house taking things down at random and shove them in a box (and hate yourself next Christmas) or you can take a more organized approach (and thank your lucky stars that you took the time to do it right).

Let’s start with the lights, to avoid a twisted and tangled mess come next December use a rectangular piece of cardboard to wrap the lights around. An empty wrapping paper tube also works great. Cut a notch in one end. Tuck one end of the lights in the notch and begin rolling the string around the tube. A second notch will fasten the end of the lights. Each strand should be done this way and clearly labelled as to outdoor lights, tree lights etc. Give yourself the heads up for next year by marking with masking tape any lights that aren’t working.

Extra long lengths or strings with large bulbs should instead be rolled into a circle. They can then be stored in appropriately sized plastic containers and stacked for compact storage.

If you have ever tried taking down a real Christmas tree yourself, I’m sure you’ve discovered it really is a two person job. Before tackling this year’s spruce enlist some help. A tree bag is best for keeping those pesky little needles in one place. If you do opt for a tree bag make sure it’s large enough to cover the base of the tree and long enough to cover the height. Note: A turkey baster is great to siphon water from the tree stand.

As for artificial trees, if you have room, don’t dismantle them. Simply fold up the limbs (as directed in the manual provided you kept it of course), put it in a tree bag and zip up! Now if you must take it apart, it’s best to first identify the branches by marking with numbers or dots in various shades of nail polish. And if your branches are really stuck in there, do yourself a favor once you manage to get them out. Using petroleum jelly and a cotton swab coat the inside of each hole. Next year removing your branches will be a breeze.

To protect breakable tree ornaments you may want pack them with lots of tissue or bubble wrap. Another great idea is to save up your used fabric sheets throughout the year and use them as both an ornament duster and as a cushion between ornaments. Toilet paper tubes are ideal for delicate elongated ornaments while egg cartons are just right for smaller ones.

The key to storing your Christmas wrapping paper is to keep it all in one place stashing it around the house as you pick up a bargain roll here or there is simply asking for trouble. Chances are good you’ll forget where you stored it or worse, forget you bought any to begin with and end up buying more at full retail. Under the bed storage is also good especially if you purchase those long plastic storage containers that keep wrap and related items altogether.

Last but not least, make a list and be sure to check it twice. The key to effective off season storage is making note of where everything has been put. Further to making a list of what you have also make a list of what you need for next Christmas a longer extension cord, more twinkle lights, another bag of bows etc. Doing this will save a lot of frustration next time around.