Holiday Decorating Tips

It is very easy to accumulate many holiday decorations over the years. All of these take lots of storage space not to mention the time to unpack and repack year after year.

If you choose not to have door decorations all year, consider changing from wreaths to door swags for the holidays. It is easier and less expensive to find storage containers for those. Try to find decorative elements for them that will pack without damage so it can be hung each year without a lot of fuss.

Ribbons can give a basic theme in your decorating. Purchase one large roll of ribbon that can be tied around candle bases, lamps, door knobs, greenery, etc. This makes decorating simple and effective. If you purchase the rolls on sale after the holidays, you need not save the used ribbon. It is difficult to store tied ribbons so they look fresh again next year.

Purge holiday items that are not your favorites, which you have not used lately, that have no sentimental attachments or that are not in good repair. They take up space in your home and head (remembering you have them and where to use them). Save only those you like or your children will want when you are gone.

Holiday and Seasonal Wreaths

Living in the colonial area of Virginia all of my life, I have become accustomed to seeing wreaths on doors as decorations.  This is especially true during the winter holidays.  Unfortunately, storing them can be an organizational problem.

If you have considerable or unused storage space, I recommend using the plastic or cardboard containers designed especially for wreaths.  Over time they will save you time, space and money in storage of these items.

If storage space is limited or becoming crowded, I recommend owning only one wreath for your door.  Choose a basic wreath color that contrasts with the color of your door.  Natural grape vines, cane or straw as well as artificial greenery or other bases are sturdy and can last many years.  To it add an inexpensive bow and/or swags of color.  Swags of leaves for fall, flowers for spring and summer and holly with berries  for winter can be purchased inexpensively to add to the base.  Even the dollar type stores carry suitable items for the base.

When the season has ended, dispose of the unsuitable decorations.  They have probably faded and become soiled anyway.  Then purchase a new set for the next season.  The expense of new decorative items is off set by the initial cost of different wreaths for each season and the storage requirements they have.