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After the festive cheer comes the great pack away. Although taking down the Christmas decorations (everything from the ornaments to the fairy lights) is never as exciting as putting them up, it’s an essential task, says Amy Revell, owner of The Art of Decluttering (theartofdecluttering.com.au). “It’s an important job, because if you do it right, you will make life easier for yourself next year,” she explains.
Before you start taking decorations down, look at what you never unpacked to begin with. “When it comes to what you haven’t used this year, ask yourself: ‘Why?’” says Amy. “Have you moved away from that style? Are things broken or don’t match? Let go of anything that’s seen better days or just doesn’t fit your style. Next year you’ll open your Christmas boxes to find only things you love and will use."
Start by stripping the tree, using resealable bags for the tinsel. “Keep each colour of tinsel in a separate bag and squeeze all the air out so they take up minimal space,” says Amy.
For safely storing Christmas baubles and precious ornaments, Anita Birges (professional organiser and founder of Mise En Place – @mise_en_place_aus) swears by the Ezy Storage 31L Christmas ornament box with dividers. “The reason the ornament box works well is the dividers can be moved around, so they’re quite versatile,” she says. “If you don’t have much storage space in your home, use an underbed storage box.”
Tip: For an extra layer of protection, line it with Wrap & Move honeycomb paper wrap.
When it’s time to take down the lights, don’t just grab them off and shove them in a box, warns Anita, who says a rushed job can mean a tangled mess next year. “The key is to wrap them around something so they are easy to unspool and put straight on the tree again,” she says. A container with different spools – such as the Ezy Storage 31L Christmas lighting storage box – will help make this task a breeze.
There’s a common tree-packing error that leads to wasted space and cupboard chaos. “The biggest mistake people make is trying to fit the Christmas tree back into the box it came in,” says Anita. “The way it’s packaged is the way for it to be shipped, not for it to be stored.”
Instead, invest in a dedicated storage box. The Ezy Storage Christmas tree storage box is a good solution as it has wheels and a handle like a suitcase. “It doesn’t have to be a two-person job and you can actually lift it up on its side and store it vertically or horizontally,” adds Anita.
A moisture absorber such as Dampfree will reduce the likelihood of mould or mildew inside the Christmas tree box, too. As you dismantle the tree, use masking tape to label each part, and – if necessary – string to hold branches in place.
Tip: When packing away the Christmas tree, use a Ziplock bag to keep any small parts together inside the storage box.
The key to storing wrapping paper is to keep the Christmas designs together. A purpose-built storage container like the Ezy Storage 50.5L Christmas wrapping paper box will keep your festive-themed gift wrap safely tucked away. If you appreciate the art of wrapping, consider installing a D.I.Y. wrapping station in your home. “Put tension rods in a cupboard and use them as long spools for wrap and ribbon,” suggests Anita.
“Another great place to store it is on the back of a door using pocket organisers,” she says. “Cut out the bottoms of a few pockets so that the gift wrap slides in, and keep your tools there, too.” Store a pair of scissors and a sticky-tape dispenser with your kit to save you time when there’s wrapping to be done.
Secure, dry, tailor-made boxes, like the ones below, will keep your Christmas kit safe until the festive season returns next year.
Some products are not available at all Bunnings stores, but may be ordered.
The Ezy Storage Christmas range is available in store while stocks last.
Shop our full range of storage and organisation solutions.
Photo Credit: Alex Reinders
Asbestos, lead-based paints and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber are health hazards you need to look out for when renovating older homes. These substances can easily be disturbed when renovating and exposure to them can cause a range of life-threatening diseases and conditions including cancer. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer or visit our Health & Safety page.
When following our advice in our D.I.Y. videos, make sure you use all equipment, including PPE, safely by following the manufacturer’s instructions. Check that the equipment is suitable for the task and that PPE fits properly. If you are unsure, hire an expert to do the job or talk to a Bunnings Team Member.
