Seasonal Storage: Winter

December 1, 2010

seasonal storage for winter
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    Wrapping paper, bows, decorations—oh my! The holidays are full of seasonal cheer, and with it comes the need to tame increased clutter. From storing bows to holiday wreaths, we’ll help you give items a home you can easily access for years to come.

All Wrapped Up
Finding that wrapping paper you bought on sale last year couldn’t be easier when you organize your collection of paper, gift bags, ribbons and bows within one container.

Step 1:Locate your wrapping paper, bows, gift bags, tissue paper and ribbon to determine how much space your items will require. Measure the length of your longest roll of wrapping paper, and use this dimension to purchase a plastic container of the appropriate length. For an alternative approach, try organizing your items in a hamper.

Tip: Use rubber bands, string or hair ties to prevent your rolls of wrapping paper from wrinkling and unrolling inside the container.

Step 2:Take a sheet of cardboard or foam poster board, available at most craft stores, and cut it to create a divider (lengthwise) through the center of your container. By creating this divide, you can then lay your rolls of wrapping paper on one side of the divider while packing smaller containers filled with items like bows and tissue paper on the neighboring side.

Bow SaverTip: Once you’ve finished your roll of Bounty® paper towels, repurpose the cardboard roll instead of throwing it away. Help bows maintain their shape while in storage by cutting the cardboard roll into smaller cylinders, placing them within the loops of your bows. You can also store scrap pieces of ribbon by wrapping them around a cardboard Bounty roll, pinning them in place.

Step 3:Organize bows, tissue paper and reusable wrapping paper by placing each gift giving essential in its own container that can rest in the compartment opposite the wrapping paper. Shoeboxes, shirt boxes and smaller plastic containers are all great options.

Tip: Take the guesswork out of searching through your containers by sticking a label on each box, making it simple to find reusable items like bows and tissue paper.
  • Heaviest on the bottom: Store your heaviest items at the bottom of boxes or containers so they don’t crush your more delicate decorations. To utilize the full height of your container, bunch up newspaper between the spaces of these items. Once you’ve created an even layer, stack additional items on top.
  • Sort: Label each container so it’s simple to find your items and pack them up; you can even use different colored bins for each holiday. Sort your items by location so when it’s time to pack or unpack, you can easily bring one container into the room, knowing you have everything you need.
  • Ornaments: Ornaments are often fragile, calling for a great deal of attention to their storage. Consider categorizing them in different boxes: one for delicate glass ball ornaments, one for sentimental family creations and one for non-breakable ornaments.

    When wrapping unique ornaments in tissue paper or newspaper, use masking tape to secure the paper, then use a fine-tipped permanent marker to describe the protected decoration on the piece of tape for easy reference.
  • Holiday Lights: Prevent the all too common tangling of holiday lights by wrapping them around a leftover cardboard roll of wrapping paper. As another simple option, wrap your lights around a sheet of cardboard—cutting notches into the cardboard to help hold strands in place.
  • Wreath Storage: Hang your favorite wreaths from a coat hanger, using the loop of each hanger as a hook. Simply drape a sheet of plastic or fabric over your wreath and knot it at the bottom. Using the hook of the coat hanger, hang your wreaths in a closet until next year! For more ways to organize your closet for the season, read Organization Tips for Winter Closets.
Like our ideas? Have your own? Leave a comment below to inspire others with your own seasonal storage ideas.

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