Storing sparkling Christmas decorations without leaving a trail of glitter throughout your home for the rest of the year can be a surprisingly challenging task. However, according to professional organisers, it doesn't have to be an insurmountable problem. With a few expert insights and a bit of strategic preparation, you can ensure your festive treasures are safely stowed away until the next Christmas season, free from glitter-related calamities. The key, it turns out, lies in effective wrapping and organised storage solutions.
Battling the Glitter Menace
Whether you meticulously declutter your Christmas decorations annually or possess boxes overflowing with cherished, sentimental pieces, one element is almost universally present in festive displays: glitter. While undeniably beautiful during the holiday period, glitter poses a significant storage challenge. It's a problem that even seasoned professional organisers readily acknowledge.
Tracy McCubbin, CEO and founder of dClutterfly, expresses a strong aversion to glitter, noting, "Make my opinion be known, but I hate glitter! After dealing with clients' donations for years, my car, our truck, and our warehouse are forever covered in glitter." Her simple yet effective rule for managing this sparkly nemesis is: "No item with glitter goes on our truck if it's not in a plastic bag."
Cathy Orr, co-founder of The Uncluttered Life, echoes this sentiment. "Let's just say, glitter gets everywhere and into everything," she states. "You can put your holiday decorations away in December or early January and find it in nooks and crannies in March. For this reason, it’s crucial to have great solutions for holiday decor storage."
Strategic Storage Solutions
Wrapping Glittery Items
Cathy strongly recommends wrapping glitter-covered items before storing them. For festive wreaths, which she identifies as "the biggest glitter offenders," she suggests using a dedicated storage solution like the Handy Laundry Christmas Wreath Storage Bag, available at Amazon. This type of bag is designed to keep the wreath's branches in place, minimise glitter loss, and keep the wreath clean throughout the year. They are often available in various sizes to accommodate different wreath dimensions.
Utilising Clear Storage Boxes
For general storage of Christmas decorations, professional organiser Di Ter Avest, founder of Diisorganized, advocates for clear, sturdy bins. "Clear, sturdy bins are my go-to because you can see what you have without having to open everything," she explains. She recommends brands like Sterilite Storage Boxes, which are widely available. However, even when using a bin, Tracy reiterates the importance of an initial protective layer: "Even if you are storing your wreath in a bin, always put it in a plastic bag first!"
Protecting Fragile Ornaments
The same wrapping principle extends to delicate, glittery ornaments. Allie Licata, owner and lead organiser at The Curated Home Company, advises using ornament boxes with individual compartments, such as the Stack and Carry 2 Layer Christmas Ornament Box available at Target, which typically holds around 24 ornaments.
- As you remove each Christmas ornament from the tree, place it directly into its own designated compartment within the ornament storage box.
- For particularly delicate and fragile ornaments, wrap them with one to two layers of tissue paper or paper towels. This provides crucial extra protection and helps to secure the glitter in place.
"When ornaments are tossed into one bin, glitter gets onto everything and can spill out each time the bin is opened," Allie explains. "Ornament boxes with individual compartments keep glitter ornaments separate from non-glitter ornaments, so the glitter doesn't spread. The secured lid also keeps the ornaments from falling out, so no excess glitter gets on floors or in closets."
Storing the Christmas Tree
Once you've taken down your Christmas tree, the same meticulous approach to containment is essential. Allie advises, "Before moving the tree, shake or vacuum any loose glitter or tree needles." Following this, she recommends placing the tree directly into a zippered storage bag, such as the Christmas Tree Storage Decorative Basket available at Target. Zipping it closed before transporting it to its storage location is key.
"Artificial trees can leave glitter everywhere when you move them from room to room," Allie points out. "A zippered storage bag keeps that glitter contained instead of spreading across floors, closets, the garage, or attic. It also makes cleanup and setting the tree up next year much easier and less messy."
The Power of Labelling
Finally, regardless of what festive items you are storing, Di stresses the importance of clear labelling: "Label like your future self will thank you." This transforms the often-frustrating task of storage into an effortless process and helps you avoid common storage mistakes.
Instead of generic labels like "Christmas," be specific. For example, use "Tree Décor – Red and Gold," "Outdoor Lights," or "Gift Wrap Supplies." Applying labels to both the front and the top of the storage container will allow for quick identification.
Furthermore, consolidating all your holiday décor into one designated zone – whether it's a specific shelf, a closet, or a section of the basement – is highly beneficial. When all your festive items are stored together and clearly labelled, you'll significantly reduce the time spent rummaging through boxes or dealing with lingering glitter well into the spring.
What to Shop
-
Christmas Tree Storage Bag: Cathy highlights that a good quality Christmas tree storage bag is invaluable. It should possess both structural integrity and flexibility, with ample space to accommodate the tree's length and width. Bags with handles significantly ease the process of moving the stored tree.
-
ZOBER Christmas Wreath Storage Container: This wreath storage bag is constructed from waterproof plastic, offering protection against moisture, dust, and pests, while effectively preventing glitter from escaping into your home. It also features two handles for convenient portability.
-
HOLDN’ STORAGE Premium Wrapping Paper Storage Container: Cathy notes that while not strictly holiday décor, proper storage for wrapping paper and accessories is crucial. Glitter can easily transfer to bows and tags, so a covered and sealed bag ensures these items remain contained and easily accessible for future use.
-
IRIS USA Ornament Storage Box: These ornament storage boxes are designed to be stackable, with a hinged lid for quick and easy access to your precious ornaments.
-
IRIS USA Plastic Storage Bins: These BPA-free plastic storage bins are equipped with secure pull handles, making them easy to retrieve from shelves. Their transparent design allows you to see the contents at a glance.
-
VENO Wreath Storage Bags: Made from sustainable, water-resistant, high-grade, and durable premium polypropylene woven fabric, these wreath storage bags are built to last for many seasons.
Meet the Experts
Tracy McCubbin offers a pragmatic, albeit perhaps less festive, tip: "My biggest hack for not cleaning glitter out of the rugs is to not buy any decor with glitter on it." However, for those who appreciate the traditional sparkle of Christmas, the expert advice provided above offers a practical and effective strategy to prevent glitter from becoming a year-round nuisance. By implementing these smart storage solutions, you can ensure your home remains a glitter-free zone long after the festive season has concluded.
No comments:
Post a Comment