Easy way to store Christmas lights

Christmas is over, the new year has begun and now it’s time to take down the Christmas decorations. I always find this part of the holidays the saddest, don’t you?  Having the soft glow of the lights on the tree makes our family room seem so much cozier.  But, alas, the time has come to pack all of the ornaments and decorations away until next year.  And so, I’d like to share with you one of my favorite ways to make that task a bit better.  My easy way to store Christmas lights so they stay neat and tangle-free!

(Well, actually, it’s my dad’s idea.  It’s how he always did it.  I’m just doing what he did. Thanks, dad!)

So, what is my easy way to store Christmas lights, you ask?

Reuse old magazines!

A rolled-up magazine is the perfect size to store a regular length string of lights.

Start with a magazine.

Roll it up into a tube.

Start at one end of the strand of lights and simply wind it around the magazine.  Hold on to the plug with your thumb as you wind.

When you get to the end start winding back toward the beginning end so that both plugs end up at the same end.

Plug the two ends into each other.

And you have a neatly secured string of Christmas lights.

How to organize and store Christmas lights.

It is easy to stack lots of tubes of lights in one box, so it will be easy to keep them organized and ready for next year.

The best secret? Use bread tags to label them.

You may have certain strings that you use in specific ways that you want to use again next year. For example, I have 2 sets of clear twinkle lights that are the perfect length for my Christmas tree topiaries.  So, in order to make sure I can find them again, I write what they go to on a bread bag tag with Sharpie marker. That way I can look at a glance at each string of lights and know exactly where they go.

And here’s a close up. 🙂

By the way, here is how I made my Christmas tree topiaries from tomato cages.

I hope this quick tip helps you organize and store Christmas lights, so your decorating next year will be fast and easy!

And I know you want that!

Need help organizing gift wrap, too?

Gift wrap is definitely another area that can get out of control pretty quickly this time of year.  Well, here are some great ideas on how to store gift wrap I’ve pulled together for you.

Now that all your Christmas items are neatly put away, cross that first do-to item of the new year off your list!  Woo hoo!

Here’s wishing you a wonderful 2017!

~ Pam 🙂