Wrap Up the Season Right

The holidays bring joy, memories, and a surprising amount of stuff. Once the gifts are opened and the parties or over, many older adults find themselves facing the same challenge: How am I ever going to get all this put away? The good news is that with a few smart strategies, you can pack away the holidays safely and even create some extra storage in your closets without heavy lifting or words that might put you on the naughty list next year.

Before anything goes back into a box, take a moment to sort items into three simple categories: 1) Decorations you love and use every year, 2) Items in good condition that would spark more joy in someone else's home, and 3) Broken lights, fully loved décor, or anything unsafe that should be thrown away instead of stored. This small step prevents clutter from building up year after year, preserves precious storage space and makes next year's set up that much easier.

Choose storage containers that work for you. Invest in storage solutions that are lightweight, easy to open, and simple to move. Keep containers you plan to lift at a medium or small size to make sure you can manage the weight and make sure larger containers have wheels and store them on the floor.

Invest in the right tools for the job. Ornaments should be in boxes with a section for each piece, holiday trees and wreaths should be stored in lightweight containers that are just the right size for your decor, like soft sided solutions that reduce overall weight. Special ornaments should be wrapped in soft cloths not newspaper that can stain. Consider over-the-door organizers that keep gift wrap, ribbons, or small décor within reach, install lightweight hanging closet organizers with drawers for soft items and don't forget to consider under-bed storage bins if closet space is limited.

To make next year's unboxing easier use clear storage or bins with a special color to quickly identify your holiday decor in your storage space. Consider labelling each container with what is inside so finding what you are looking for is a breeze and always wrap lights, garlands and cords around storage holders so next year you won't spend excessive time struggle to detangle a mess.

Take your time closing the season. Putting away Christmas doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. With the right tools and a few thoughtful strategies, you can protect your cherished holiday decor and set yourself up for a successful holiday season next year. So go ahead, close the lid, admire your newly reclaimed space, and give yourself credit. You just wrapped up another successful holiday season... BFore Aging in Place.