Ideas for Storing Thanksgiving Decorations

By now you have probably finished your Thanksgiving leftovers, washed the table linens and are moving on to the next holiday (or pausing for some air!). Before you move on too quickly, consider these tips for storing your Thanksgiving decorations so you can easily find and use them next year.

First, sort your decorations into holiday-specific and general decor piles (items you also use outside of Thanksgiving, like candles and vases).

Use clear storage bins to store the holiday-specific items and if it helps, put a photo on the outside of the box so you know exactly what's inside.

Tip: If you have photos of your home decorations from Thanksgiving, put those photos on the storage boxes to remind you how to set things up next year. This includes your holiday table, guest bedroom and bathroom decor. Photos are especially handy when storing general decor items.

Store like items with like items—candles together, vases together, linens together, candleholders together (you get the point). Find a spot in your home where you can sort items this way and it will make any decorating project a bit easier.

You can go one step further and store items by color. Photos of how you've used items together in the past can make decorating easier next year.

Hang fall wreaths on hooks in your closet or storage area to prevent breaking or squishing. This also allows you to see what you have.

If you are storing silver, make sure to minimize its exposure to air—which causes it to tarnish. A closed storage case for silverware is ideal. If you want to display your other silver pieces but still protect them, keep them behind glass doors.

Finally, make a list of anything you need to replace for next year or any additional items you want to add to your Thanksgiving decor next year. Either carry that with you so you can find items when you are shopping, or keep it visible where you store your decor items so you can grab it when you are ready to buy.

Storing your holiday decorations in easy-to-find and safe locations only makes life next year even easier!

Happy decorating.