We all look forward to enjoying the lights and Christmas décor around the holidays but if you decorate your home yourself you know exactly how long it took to properly place each and every little piece that made up that holiday magic. Now that the holidays are over, you’re probably dreading taking all that magic down not because you’ll miss it but because of the work it takes just to put it all away. What if there was a way to make the take down process easier and make sure everything is right where you left it for next year? Follow these five simple tips below for holiday décor organization and your holiday cleanup will become almost as incredible as the ornaments themselves.

Tip One: Use Clear Bins
This seems like a no brainer but you’d be surprised at how much time is saved by simply being able to see what goes in each bin.

Tip Two: Create Like Minded Bins
If you’ve been collecting ornaments for a while, it may seem like you’re drowning in decor from every color of the rainbow. Combine color schemes and specific themes. The cleanup may appear longer but you’ll thank yourself in the end and next year when it’s time to find a specific color.

Tip Three: Shop the Junk Drawer
Use little items like rubber bands in the junk drawer to secure ribbon or bundles of string lights. It’s a nightmare all on its own to untangle Christmas lights so avoid the hassle and separate them as you remove them using the items you already have. No need to shop for fancy storage reels.

Tip Four: Splurge Where Necessary
In the era of DIY it’s easy to find solutions that we can make ourselves at a fraction of the retail price but splurge where you need to.  For those ornaments that are sentimental or extra fragile, spend a little extra to properly store them in divided storage containers and save yourself the heartache of a shattered angel wing.

Tip Five: Label all the Contents
This might be another no brainer but labeling even if you’re using clear storage bins will make things almost effortless. Also be specific on the labels if you have more than one type of item in one bin.
Still seem like a lot of work? If so, think of it this way. Investing the time to properly organize this year is a small time investment to set you up for success for future holiday set ups and break downs. You’ll thank yourself next year when you realize searching through every bin for your favorite tree topper is a thing of the past.

Happy New Year!