A Pro Organizer’s Guide to Organizing Your Seasonal Decor
Spooky season is almost upon us. Every year, a friend and I text each other our favorite Skelly sightings: you know, the 12-foot tall skeleton decoration that I'm sure graces your neighbor's yard. Thinking about Skelly makes me wonder how people store him in his off season, so I wanted to write a little Guide to Organizing Your Seasonal Decor.
Costco’s version of Skelly
Tip 1: Envision your upcoming holiday
What kind of home do you want to create? You can make a Pinterest board that shows what kind of decor you want to have. Will you be hosting guests? Is there a scented candle that you're burning? Think about all the little details.
Tip 2: Categorize by season or holiday
As with any category in the KonMari process, I encourage you to take out all your seasonal decor to see exactly what you have. You can sub-categorize by season or holiday. If you don't want to take out your decorations, skim through your camera roll for last year's photos.
Tip 3: Consider what you already own
Last year, what centerpieces or seasonal decor did you absolutely love? Which ones are you looking forward to hanging or showcasing? If there are any that you think are too tiresome to display, discard with gratitude and don't bother putting it out this year. Get rid of anything broken, outdated, or that simply don't bring you joy anymore. Consider donating items in good condition (p.s. take a look at my blog on donating in the Kansas City area for tips).
After the Holiday or the Season
Taking the time to pack away your seasonal decor with care can save you stress and make decorating for the next occasion a (pumpkin-spice scented) breeze!
Tip 4: Choose the right storage
The type of storage you choose is crucial for protecting your decor and keeping it organized.
Clear plastic bins: These are great for seeing what's inside without having to open them. Look for sturdy ones with secure lids to protect against moisture and pests, especially if you're doing attic or garage storage.
Ornament storage boxes: These specialized boxes have dividers to keep delicate ornaments safe and prevent them from tangling.
Original packaging: For fragile items like ceramic or glass pieces, the original packaging is often the best way to store them. If the packaging is falling apart, you can also use shoe boxes or similar cardboard boxes. Make sure to wrap delicate items in newspaper, bubble wrap, tissue paper, or a similar material to keep them safe!
DIY: Another friend taught me that a piece of cardboard is perfect for wrapping Christmas lights and preventing tangles - you can make a notch at both ends to make sure they don’t slip off.
Tip 5: Label, label, label
Make sure that you put exactly what is in each box - a white label with black Sharpie can really stand out. I like to label at least two sides of each box so that it's easy to read.
If you have a lot of decorations, a diagram can be helpful. You can take a photo of the storage and print it out and then label what side has which holiday. This type of inventory will have you thanking your past self when next year's seasons come along!
Tip 6: Enjoy your holidays!
If you follow these tips, I hope it ultimately helps you decrease your stress around the holidays, and look forward to the changing of the seasons! And if you see Skelly around town, tell him I say hello!