If you are like me, Holiday clean-up can become a nightmare.  Taking down decorations, packing away extras - wrapping paper and bows - and getting it all done in an organized way so that you don’t lose what little sanity you have left can be task, but it can be done.

Wrapping Supplies

Little things like wrapping paper, scissors and tape are usually things that will put away once used to wrap your gifts, but I seem to always find stragglers lying around in inconspicuous corners.  Your best bet: a storage container in a central location for all gift wrapping supplies. 

OK, yes it is simple, but one location, regardless if it is Holiday or everyday, allows you to locate it quickly and put it away.  Using a plastic storage bin will keep all of the wrapping paper and tissue paper from getting ripped and smashed and will keep tape and scissors together for your one-stop wrapping shop.

Your Tree

Take one day to remove your decorations and place them into safe storage bins.  Yes, I really did write “one day.”  Why?  Well, last year I packed my tree up after a long day of work, tired from cooking and cleaning, and stepping on too many Barbie shoes.  So, this year I am investing some time to make sure all of my decorations are in wrapped, placed in safe containers, and then moved to an easy location in the attic - so that I can find them next year.

Too many of my ornaments were broken last year, simply from poor storage techniques (too tired!), so this year I spent some Holiday cash and invested in storage bins made specifically for round ball ornaments and some other plastic storage bins for miscellaneous ornaments and items.  Yes, I spent money, but it will save me money from having to invest in new decorations each year and the bins are durable, so they will last some time.

Another tip for storage, recycle used wrapping paper and tissue paper as ornament wrapping and storage buffer.  This will help your decorations last longer when wrapped for safety and they will be spiffy new again next year for trimming the tree.

For artificial trees, most of us pack away our trees in the original box they came in.  Today, many of the boxes are made for that purpose and come with easy handles to move about and get the tree stored.  Some will want to purchase a storage bag for the tree and if you choose to do this, most discount retailers will carry this storage. 

For a real tree, see if your community has a tree recycling program.  In my community, for up to two weeks after Christmas your tree will be picked up at no charge and will be taken to local ponds or lakes.  They use the trees to create habitats for the fish and other creatures living in the water. 

Family Help

You can have family help with all of the Holiday whined down too.  Give each person a task, one person do miscellaneous ornaments, one person do ball ornaments, one person do candy canes and the start, and so on.  You can do it in shifts that way all of one specific item is removed and stored together for easy retrieval next year.

Make one person in charge of the tree.  If your tree is real, that family member can be in charge of finding a safe way of disposing your tree that can possibly help your local environment.