Holiday Takedown
Your Step-by-Step Guide to Organizing After the Holidays
As the festive season winds down, it’s time to tackle the holiday takedown. While it may seem daunting, this process can be a great opportunity to declutter and organize your holiday decorations for the next year. As a professional organizer based in Nashville, TN, I’m here to provide you with the best tips to make your post-holiday organizing smooth and efficient.
Why Organizing After the Holidays Matters
A well-organized post-holiday space not only sets the stage for a fresh start in the new year but also makes next holiday season so much easier. Plus, an organized space can help reduce stress and create a sense of calm in your home, and knowing your holiday decor is all buttoned up for next year takes a lot of stress off your plate when gearing up for the next holiday season.
Holiday Takedown
Step-by-Step Guide to Holiday Takedown
Step 1: Gather Supplies
- Storage bins - preferably clear for visibility though colored bins that clearly identify the holiday work well also
- Specialty storage (such as wreath holders, Christmas tree bags, or ornament inserts)
- Labels (label makers using 3/4" label tape are best for visibility)
- Bubble wrap or packing paper for fragile items
- Garbage bags for items to discard or donate & clear x large contractor bags to use for large item protection/storage
- Cleaning supplies to tidy up your space
Pro Tip: If you like to decorate the same way each year, take detailed photos of each space with a full view and any close-ups needed so you can easily recreate or enlist help to decorate the next year.
Holiday Takedown
Step 2: Designate a Takedown Zone
Choose a central area in your home to organize your decor. Often this is in the living room or dining room. We like to create a zone where we can drape a tarp to keep glitter and flocking contained and then set up sections for each of the types of items we may be dealing with. Ornaments are usually near the tree but decor tends to be all over the place so we like to pull these together in a central location.
Step 3: Remove Decorations Methodically
- Living Room: Take down the tree and any decorations.
- Dining Room: Remove table decorations and centerpieces.
- Kitchen: Clear holiday-themed items.
- Other Rooms: Remove any festive decor.
- Outdoor Spaces: Don’t forget lights and decorations outside!
Step 4: Clean as You Go
Holiday Takedown
Step 5: Sort and Edit Decorations & Storage
As you pack up your decorations, assess each item:
- Keep: Items you love and use regularly.
- Donate: Decorations in good condition that you no longer want.
- Trash: Broken or damaged items that can’t be repaired.
Pro Tip: This is a great opportunity to upgrade your holiday storage as well as invest in quality pieces that are consistent in nature. This helps your space feel more cohesive and the storage containers will really work for the contents.
Holiday Takedown
Step 6: Store Decorations Effectively: Best Practices For Storing Holiday Decorations
Pro Tip: consider storing groups of items that are always displayed together as a category rather than splitting them up into their parts. Then label accordingly such as ‘dining room tablescape’ using our favorite Brother P-Touch label maker!
- Use Clear Bins: Clear bins allow you to see what’s inside without opening each one. For specialty items or specific groups of easily identifiable items, a solid bin in a seasonal color can be useful - and for trees/wreaths/garland - these are often soft sided storage. Pro tip: use the same size & type of containers for easy stacking.
- Label Everything: Label each bin clearly with its contents and the room it belongs to. Consider including a photo of the items inside for easy reference.
- Wrap Fragile Items: Use bubble wrap or packing paper to protect fragile ornaments and decorations.
- Wrap Large Items: Use x large clear contractor bags instead of huge bins for larger decor items like decorative topiaries or glittery reindeer.
- Pack Wisely: Place heavier items at the bottom of bins and lighter items on top. Stack similar items together to maximize space.
Holiday Takedown
Step 7: Find the Right Storage Location
Decide on a storage location that is both accessible and suitable for your decorations:
- Basement, Overhead Garage Storage or Attic: Ideal for larger bins that you don’t need to access often. Be mindful of temperature fluctuations so storing candles in a hot attic won't be the best option.
- Closets: If you have space, use a designated closet for holiday decorations. This is ideal for fragile or temperature issues.
- Under-Bed Storage: Perfect for smaller items that can be tucked away in an under bed storage bin.
- Gift Wrap Cart: These multi-functional carts can be tucked in a closet and used for more than holiday gift wrap!
Pro Tip: Add a shelving unit so you aren’t stacking items too high. Once bins get over 2-3 high, you run the risk of collapsing or tipping over plus getting out a bin from the bottom can be dicey. We recommend these Trinity 24 x 60 shelving units on casters.
Holiday Takedown
Step 8: Reflect and Plan for Next Year
Take a moment to reflect on what worked and what didn’t during the holiday season. Consider creating a list of items you want to add or change for next year – and after the holidays is a great time to stock up for the next season. This proactive approach will make your next holiday season even more enjoyable.
Check out our favorite decorating & takedown products on LTK & Amazon!
Holiday takedown doesn’t have to be a chore. Following this step-by-step guide, you can transform the process into an opportunity for organization and reflection. You’ll not only reclaim your space but also set yourself up for a more organized holiday season next year. If you need more personalized help with holiday takedown in Nashville, don’t hesitate to reach out to a fresh space!
Holidays in Nashville
