Eleven tips for clearing up your Christmas decorations from how to stop lights getting tangled to egg boxes for baubles
IT is the day to take down your Christmas tree but there’s no need to get your lights in a loop, tinsel in a twist or pine needles in nooks and crannies.
Clemmie Fieldsend has the best cleanfluencers hacks.
Shake ’n’ vac: Shake the tree to lose any loose needles so they all fall in the same place before you take it through the house. You will still get a few.
Get trimming: Cut the larger, lower branches off so it is easier to take it out.
Egg box for baubles: No need to sweat when packing away delicate baubles. One savvy packer used egg boxes to keep them safe.
Pringles tube: If you have bigger decorations other popular hacks are to put them in paper cups or Pringles tubes. Tubes are ideal for packing away tinsel too, protecting it from squishing or tangling.
Tube lighting: Prevent your lights from getting into a nasty knot by cutting a piece of rectangular cardboard and a small notch in each end.
Wrap your lights neatly around the card with each end of the string placed in the slits. This hack also works with smaller stings of lights around an old kitchen roll tube.
Leave it up: If you have an artificial tree, save yourself any hassle whatsoever by leaving everything on the tree, then cover it in bin liners and store it ready to be uncovered next year all set up and ready.
Box up wreaths: If you have poured your heart and soul into a wreath for your front door, or shelled out a hefty sum for a posh one, throwing it away seems like such a waste.
Expert florists advise to store it in a box in a cool, dry place. While a TikTok user suggests packing your wreath away with cinnamon sticks so when you get it out next year you will be greeted with a festive scent.
Bottle your beads: Having to detangle beads can be a nightmare, so store them in a plastic water bottle. Each container can store two strings of beads. It’s also great for recycling all the empty bottles of fizzy pop.
Tights fit: IF you managed to get ladders in your tights from all the partying, fear not.
Use old hosiery to protect specialty candles when they are stored, keeping the dust off them. You can also nestle candles in tissue paper for extra protection. Just be sure to store them away from any heat, as you won’t want the candle to melt.
Hang up wrapping paper: Instead of having your rolls of wrapping paper and gift bags shoved in the corner of a cupboard, use a garment bag to keep it all in one place.
Hang it in your coat cupboard or wardrobe. It will keep everything in one place and save you forking out for more next year.
Plates for Christmas crockery: Store Christmas plates, bowls or dishes by placing paper plates between each one. This will support them when stacked and stop them from smashing against each other, or anything else, when boxed up.