Back in the Box  –  Say “Yes” to God

Are you a “rapid remover,” former procrastinator, or a “Let ‘em linger” type?  Whenever you tackle the job of un-decorating, it’s a pretty big task.  I call the big take down “Boxing Day.” (No, it’s not the English holiday.)  My Boxing Day means corralling the decorations, boxing them up and returning them to storage.  

These tips help me clean up without being wiped out.

• Take pictures of what you like and might repeat.
• Eliminate items you’ve not used in years.  Get rid of projects you saved to do but never have.
• Have an UNtrim the tree party.  A friend and I packed her tree decorations one year.  We both enjoyed the stories that went with the ornaments.  Taking them down makes her sad, but that year, together it was fun and fast.
• Use color coded boxes.  We’ve gradually collected red and green bins.  It simplifies finding all the Christmas ones.  You can also use red or green duct tape on any box.  Mark all sides.  Label critical contents if you like, ex. “manger scene.”
• Box up room by room.  This hint has made decorating and take down MUCH easier, faster, neater. When I take it all down, the living room décor goes in the living room box.  Then when we decorate, each room’s box is delivered where it’s needed.  The garland that best fits the mantle is in the living room box; no sorting through all of them. (I’m still free to change things around if I like.)
• Wrap lights around flattened cereal boxes or cardboard.  Place each string in its own plastic store bag to further prevent tangling.  Label bags “tree,” “mantle,” bannister.”
• Remove batteries from candles, etc. to avoid corrosion in storage.  Place batteries in a plastic bag in the same bin.
• Slide delicate items into old socks to keep them safe.
• Store wax candles where they’ll not melt, possibly separate from other decorations.
• Pack special items where they’re less likely to be damaged.  Our large nativity goes in its box under a skirted table.
• Hang wreaths in the basement, garage, attic – covered to keep out dust.  Hang flat items behind large furniture or in closets behind clothes.  Our big advent calendar hides behind a china cabinet.
• Make note of where you store anything not in a Christmas bin.  Post the list inside a kitchen cabinet door.

Make your return to “normal” easier and enjoy the transition to a new year.

Which new idea will you test this year?