Comments on: The post-holiday tear down

By: Bela

Bela — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 17:55:30 +0000

I love having the tree with lights and decorations still up in January and February because it adds warmth color and cheer!

By: The post-holiday tear down | Custom Printing

The post-holiday tear down | Custom Printing — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 14:01:17 +0000

[...] link Sphere: Related Content [...]

By: Anita

Anita — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 19:09:53 +0000

I stored away the decorations this year in old suitcases that were way outdated and too shabby to donate. It keeps everything together and I don’t have to worry about them falling apart like my old cardboard boxes did.

By: Heather

Heather — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 22:22:32 +0000

For lights, I use utility cord holders, although one year I actually found similar holders made specifically for strings of lights (they even had notches that held the plug secure). I labeled each holder according to where the lights were put, i.e. “Christmas tree”, “bush by the door”, etc.

After the indoor decorations were set up, I took pictures as reference for the next year.

After the season was over, I stored all timers and extension cords in the box with the lights. When a sting no longer worked, I added it to the wal-mart bag with the other non-functioning lights and stored it with the working lights. I cannibalized the working lightbulbs to replace the burned out ones on the working strings.

By: Johanna

Johanna — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 18:52:21 +0000

I take down and put away the holiday decorations by myself. I’ve downsized considerably, so it will be easier and faster.

Still, I try to make the process into a holiday activity in itself. I put on appropiate music, make some tea or whatever, and begin…

While I dust things off with a dry paintbrush I really look at each item, appreciate its history, or beauty, or cuteness… whatever the object inspires. Then I put it in its place to keep or donate or toss.

When I set a special time to do this necessary task it becomes enjoyable and I relive all the positive aspects of the past holiday gatherings.

Happy 2009… Good things are coming, if you focus on them.

By: Brandon

Brandon — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 20:56:38 +0000

And remember to recycle your Christmas tree rather than throw it out!

By: Tabitha (From Single to Married)

Tabitha (From Single to Married) — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 18:28:17 +0000

I totally agree – organization makes the whole process a lot less painful. I use the various decoration storage containers (from the Container Store) which really help in keeping the whole process easy and efficient.

By: Ian Hakes

Ian Hakes — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 16:26:10 +0000

Instead of a flat square of cardboard, I re-use the empty cardboard gift wrap tubes for my lights. Just make a small cut at the top (to clamp the string down), put the plug inside to start, and then wrap the lights carefully down the outside of the tube. Cut the tube to the length you need, make another small cut at the other end (to hold the far end of the string) and you’re done.

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 14:43:45 +0000

I suspect many charities don’t want donations of Christmas decorations in January, since they won’t be able to sell them till fall at the earliest. As you take down and pack up the ornaments, have a box marked “Donate” to put the purged items in, then mark your calendar for October to take them to your local charity. They will be most welcome then!

By: Joy (from Just Plain Joy)

Joy (from Just Plain Joy) — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 06:12:51 +0000

We have four boxes – one for lights, one for ornaments, and two for stockings/decorations/etc. I keep them under the dining table (hidden by a tablecloth) during the holidays and fill them with the household items that were replaced with decorations. At the end of the season, if I want to splurge on new decorations something has to get tossed from a box.

By: Rich

Rich — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 04:01:23 +0000

Taking everything down is the worst part of holidays. Taking stuff out is easy. Making sure it goes back to the right place is tedious.
Good post!

By: Annette

Annette — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 03:32:38 +0000

Leaving decorations up is sometimes because one loves the season! I grew up in a home where the tree didn’t come down until Mom’s birthday on February 22. I thought it was excessive, but my mom didn’t.

By: coco

coco — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 02:05:04 +0000

i had a very large underbed type plastic for xmas stuff. just the one box, but it was very hard to move. and very hard to get it in the closet. the day after xmas, i replaced it with 2 medium storage boxes. (i passed on the big box to a friend). i ruthlessly purged the ornaments this year. if they weren’t special or really cute out they went.

By: Sandy

Sandy — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 22:47:42 +0000

My tradition is to take down the decorations on New Year’s Day. I have been downsizing over the past few years and now have one storage box. Anything that doesn’t fit is gone. I have already started a get-rid-of pile. Anything that I didn’t use this year and don’t love (thanks Unclutterer) is sent to exile.

By: Christine

Christine — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 22:00:09 +0000

I don’t like having to do anything on New Years Eve, so my new tradition is to un-decorate that night. (The outside lights will probably come down the next day or following weekend.)