by Debra Frank

Created on: December 28, 2008   Last Updated: January 22, 2009

In the beginning of every new year, many homes face the same challenge, the dismantling of the holiday decorations. Here are a few tips that may just make your job easier this year and possibly make decorating even more enjoyable for the next Christmas season.

1. Keep a journal or notebook.

Not only can you record important holiday notes and lists, but also valuable information about where you are storing decorations. Note decorating schemes that worked well and write down your idease for next year. I've found that the more years that go by, the more things I must write down.

2. Store holiday linens, clothing, and fluffy garland together.

You can force a lot of these items into a container without breaking anything. You can even use one of those space saving vacuum bags. Just fluff when you take them out next year. I like to add a holiday scented sachet or car air freshener. The scent makes it more festive to open the containers the following season. Make sure you label your containers.

3. Plastic totes make safe containers for breakables.

There is less chance of damage to your keepsakes if the container is bumped or dropped. If your budget allows, you can buy the commercially made ornament boxes. I wrap my figurines in plastic grocery and department store bags. For family heirloom favorites and extremely delicate paper thin ornaments, I use bubble wrap. The wrapped items are carefully placed in a labeled plastic tote. I have not found a damaged decoration since I've started storing breakables this way, but I still have a Joseph figurine head that falls off every year from a pre-plastic tote storage mishap.

4. It saves loads of time and frustration to take care of lights now!

As you remove your indoor and outdoor lights, check and replace bad bulbs. Discard any strings that no longer work. You can use the commercially made light storage spools or carefully wrap each light string on a cardboard gift wrap tube or piece of cardboard. Make sure you label the cardboard as to wear the lights are used and attach a sealable plastic bag with any spare bulbs to cardboard. Label the box or tote that you put the lights in.

5. Store re-usable wreaths and wall hangings on coat hangers.

Affix the item to the hanger and place a plastic bag over, allowing the hanger hook to poke through the bag. Hang these items in the garage or the back of a storage closet.

With a bit of planning, your holiday decorations can remain in great shape for years of tradition, and you will have less headaches decorating next year.

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