The New Year is here, but Christmas is still in full view around the house. For me, the final task of the season is to pack up Christmas in a way that makes next year’s decorating a breeze. Here’s my tried-and-true checklist for wrapping up the season efficiently and thoughtfully.

Before You Do Anything

Before you even think about taking down decorations, take photos of all your displays. I snap pictures of every room and save them in a dedicated section of my OneNote notebook titled “Decorations.” This helps me keep track of my evolving style while giving me a solid starting point for next year. It’s so much easier to replicate or improve on what you did when you’re not starting from scratch.

Storage Tips

Proper storage is key to a smooth holiday season next year. Start by assessing your storage spaces and containers to ensure you’re making the most of them. I’ve found that packing room by room works best. Keep all the items for each space together in clearly labeled bins. Next year, you can decorate at your own pace, tackling one room at a time.

Efficient storage not only saves space but also simplifies the process of unpacking. It’s worth taking the time now to organize so you can avoid headaches later.

Closing Out the Season

January is a great time to reflect and wrap up the holiday season. Here’s how I close things out:

• Gift Lists: Use your gift-tracking app to archive this year’s list. It’s invaluable to have a record of past gifts to avoid repeating ideas and to remind yourself of what worked well.
• Next Year’s Gift List: Start a fresh gift list for next year. Why so early? Inspiration can strike at any time, and it’s helpful to capture ideas throughout the year.
• Planner Updates: Take notes on how various aspects of the season went. How were the cookies received? Did the parties go smoothly? What traditions did you enjoy most? What could you do differently next year? A quick “lessons learned” session ensures continual improvement and a more enjoyable holiday season.

Final Thoughts

Packing up Christmas doesn’t have to be a chore. With a little planning and organization, you can end the season on a high note and set yourself up for success next year. Take the time to document, organize, and reflect—your future self will thank you!