The fall and winter holiday season is an exciting time for gathering with friends and family to celebrate, and decorating is a big part of the fun. Whether you prefer a traditional or modern look – or something in between – there are many ways to make your space festive and cozy. When you’re busy with work, kids, and other commitments, it can be tough to find the time and energy to decorate your home for holidays. And once each holiday is over, storing your decorations can be even more daunting.
Whether you’re celebrating Diwali, Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, or New Year’s Eve, let’s bring the fun back to holiday decorating and the ease back to storage, so you can enjoy the process and avoid the stress.
Efficient Decorating
If decorating is easy and efficient, it’s much more likely to happen. Here are some strategies to consider if convenience is the name of your holiday game.
Plan and prioritize. Start by creating a holiday decorating plan. Outline which areas of your home you want to decorate and what specific decorations you’ll need. Prioritize key areas like the front door, living room, and dining table to create focal points of holiday cheer. A few decorations displayed in key areas can make a big impact and won’t make your home feel cluttered.
Maintain consistency. Choose a color theme for each holiday to make your decorations look cohesive and visually appealing. For example, warm autumnal shades for Thanksgiving and a sparkling mix of blues and silvers for New Year’s.
Use decorative storage. Invest in decorative storage solutions that double as part of your holiday decor. Stylish baskets and bins can hold blankets, pillows, or even small decorations. These items serve a dual purpose, adding to your holiday ambiance while keeping clutter at bay.
Repurpose and extend. Get creative with everyday items that can be transformed for the holidays. Mason jars, for example, can become candleholders or vases when filled with seasonal accents like pine cones or ornaments. It’s also a good idea to choose items that are versatile and can be used for multiple holidays or seasons. For example, a snowflake-themed wreath can be used for the end of year holidays and all winter long.
Creative Decorating
Let’s face it, decorating is not all about efficiency. You can get creative with some holiday decorating ideas that will make your home stand out.
Embrace nature. For fall holidays like Thanksgiving, bring the outdoors in. Decorate with pumpkins, gourds, colorful leaves, and pinecones. Bonus points because it’s cost-effective.
Make your own. Get crafty with your kids and create your own holiday decorations. From handmade ornaments to paper lanterns, there are countless DIY projects that can be fun family activities.
Light it up. Don’t underestimate the power of lighting. String lights, lanterns, and candles can create a warm and inviting atmosphere for any holiday.
Adorn the table. Make your holiday meals festive by decorating the dining table. Consider seasonal table runners, natural centerpieces, and themed dishware.
Focus on the front. Welcome guests with a beautifully decorated front door. A wreath, a festive doormat, and some plants in containers can make a big impact.
Smart Storage
Do you feel a little sad when you have to put away the decorations? You’re not alone. Let’s make it as easy as possible and set you up for success when it’s time to do it all over again next year.
Edit first. If you didn’t use certain decorations, assess whether you need to keep them. Donate what you no longer want. Throw away anything that’s not working or broken. Recycle empty cardboard boxes.
Store in the clear. Clear bins make it easy to see what you have and find the decorations you’re looking for when it’s time to decorate. It’s tempting to buy different colored bins for each holiday, but what happens when you start to downsize your inventory of holiday decorations? You’re left with colored bins that don’t match. For this reason, it’s a good idea to stick with clear bins.
Lean into labels. Label each storage container with a brief description of its contents and the holiday it belongs to. For decorations that span multiple containers like ornaments for a specific tree, label the containers as follows: 1 of 3, 2 of 3 and 3 of 3. This technique makes it easy to locate specific items and helps you identify missing decorations.
Keep original packaging. Retain the original packaging for delicate or valuable decorations whenever possible. It provides extra protection and ensures that fragile items stay intact during storage.
Stash clothing and toys with decor. If you have kids who have special outfits or toys and books for certain holidays, think sweaters for Christmas or toys for Hanukkah, store them with the corresponding decorations. This way, you save space in their closets and drawers, and make it easier to find these treasures when the season arrives.
Invest in adjustable shelving. Consider installing adjustable shelving in your storage area. This allows you to customize the space to accommodate decorations of various sizes. You can easily reconfigure the shelves as your collection grows.
Categorize by holiday. Divide your storage space into zones, each dedicated to a specific holiday. Within each zone, further categorize items by function. For example, have separate bins for lights and tabletop decor. This granular organization simplifies the process of finding and unpacking what you need.
Control the temperature. Extreme temperatures and humidity can damage your holiday decorations. Protect your cherished items by choosing a climate-controlled storage area. Guest room closets work well.
With thoughtful planning, creative decorating ideas, and smart storage solutions, you can make holiday preparations a breeze and maintain an organized, clutter-free home. So, go ahead, embrace the holiday spirit with confidence and create lasting memories with your loved ones. Happy decorating and organizing!
