Once the holiday season is over, it will be time to pack up your seasonal decorations. When you put your items away, you’ll want to do so carefully so they won’t get damaged. It helps to have a logical system in place to simplify the storage process so you can quickly find your gear next year. Follow these suggestions for ways to put away your seasonal decor while keeping spirits bright.

Pack away your tree

If you have an artificial Christmas tree, an easy option for packing it up is to put it in a bag specifically designed for faux trees. Christmas tree storage bags can protect your tree from dust, dirt, moisture, and pests. Think about the size and weight of your tree when considering how and where to store it. If your tree is heavy, you might want to consider putting it in a location on the same floor where you display your tree. Pushing a heavy tree up into an attic or carrying it down into a basement could be difficult. Choose the type of storage container that would work best for you. There are even bags that fit over a tree and come with a rolling stand so you can wheel your tree away. Some tree covers allow you to keep your decorations on the tree for storage, while others may require you to remove any ornaments and disassemble your tree before packing it.

Cover your wreaths

It’s also best to store faux holiday wreaths in a sealed storage bag or box. Some wreath storage containers are made for keeping your wreath on a shelf, while others come with a hook so you can hang your covered wreath on a wall. Take note of your wreath’s diameter and depth when picking a storage container. There are even clear wreath bags and boxes that allow you to see the wreath inside. You don’t have to purchase something new to protect your holiday wreath. You could simply wrap it in paper or bubble wrap. If you have multiple wreaths and have the wall space, you could hang them together on a wall, which saves shelf space and makes them visible and easy to locate.

Organize your ornaments

There are many ways to pack away holiday ornaments. You’ll want to keep them clean and protected, especially if they are fragile. There are all sorts of ornament boxes you can buy to put your ornaments away safely. These containers usually have multiple compartments to keep your ornaments separated and safe. You can wrap each ornament individually in tissue paper or bubble wrap to prevent breakage. DIY options for storing ornaments include putting them in egg cartons or in paper or plastic cups. These cups can be glued on pieces of cardboard that can be stacked in a storage box.

Wrap your lights

It’s a good idea to inspect your Christmas lights before putting them away. Repair whatever can be fixed and get rid of what can’t. Before storing strings of holiday lights, wrap them carefully around a piece of cardboard so they don’t get tangled. If you put a slit on either end of the cardboard first, the strands will stay in place better. You can use the same system to pack holiday garlands. Place your lights and garlands in a plastic tote, vinyl bag, or cardboard box. If you prefer, you can purchase a container especially made for holding strings of holiday lights—these totes sometimes come with reels or inserts to wrap your holiday lights around.

Have a plan

Be sure to document where your holiday items are stored so you can quickly find them when you need them. You can keep a record of where you put everything in a note on your phone or in a document on your computer that you can reference when needed. It’s also helpful to clearly label all your holiday storage containers. It might make sense to put each’s room’s decorations in its own box to make decorating easier next year. If you can, keep your holiday decor in one place—such as in a corner of your garage or on one shelving system. That way locating your seasonal decorations shouldn’t be a chore next year.