Taking Holiday Inventory
“When putting away your holiday decorations, keep only items that are an absolute joy to uncover each year.” This tip is in this month’s Better Homes and Gardens, from Meryl Starr, author of The Home Organizing Workbook. I apologize for using a tip that will only apply to maybe half the types, but it is something to keep in mind next year for everyone else. If it doesn’t give you or your family joy why in the world would you give it prime real estate?
So, if you are like me and still have tons of holiday decorations to put away, tell everyone that you are doing serious inventory, which is why they are still up. Those list making types understand the word serious or you could try thorough. Believe me, their greatest weakness is skimping on quality just to get it done. They’ll back off if you say, “Y’know, I want to do it right this year.” Also, even though all the neighbors can see, why not leave some of the outdoor lights up for a while, because y’know what? Nightfall is still coming at 4:30 pm on the East coast and well, they give us light where there is precious little.
Still. This year, go ahead and do it right. Invest the extra bucks and get clear matching containers to put away all the baubles. If you have ornaments, invest in the containers made for this task. I have one and it’s been great. I know exactly what’s inside, and there are great cardboard dividers to keep things safe, even if I’m cavalier about the bubble wrap or tissue. Haven’t lost anything yet, and if I do? There are worse things.