Ways to store decorations after the festive season

With the holiday season now behind us, homeowners face the age-old dilemma of when to take down their Christmas decorations.

While you grapple with that, RE/MAX of Southern Africa shares clever storage solutions for the more bulky and delicate items in a household’s festive collection.

Safely secure lights
Nobody looks forward to untangling a string of Christmas lights. To prevent this cable chaos, wrap string lights or garlands around a cylindrical object, like the cardboard found inside a roller towel or an empty wrapping paper roll. Prevent bulbs from bursting by wrapping them in an unused towel or bubble wrap.

Upgrade your labelling game
To make it easier to find your Christmas decorations next year, clearly label all the storage boxes. Invest in clear storage containers for easy visibility.

For an eco-friendly solution, turn the boxes your presents arrived in into storage boxes for your decorations. Cover them in brown paper and write the labels in a black or white permanent marker.

Protect delicate décor
To protect against breakages, store dainty tree ornaments in an empty egg carton. Be sure to mark boxes containing delicate items as fragile.

To guard against fish moths eating into Santa’s hat and other fabric decorations stowed in the back of the cupboard, throw in a lavender pouch or other natural bug repellent.

Renovate to add more storage
“Storage can be a big drawcard for future buyers. If your property lacks storage space, consider installing more built-in storage solutions to potentially increase the resale value of your home. Those with an enclosed garage can add overhead storage for those infrequently used items, like Christmas decorations.

“If there is space in the garden, install an outdoor shed for gardening supplies and other bulky items, like the Christmas tree,” suggests the Regional Director and CEO of RE/MAX of Southern Africa, Adrian Goslett.

“If there is no more room in the home to add storage, perhaps it is time to start searching for a bigger home to accommodate your growing needs. You never know what else you can afford until you start looking. Why not chat with your local RE/MAX agent to find out what homes are available within your search parameters?” Goslett concluded.