Personally, I remove any signs of holiday decorations the first Sunday after the New Year. This is when I plant bulbs of allium and and paperwhites which in a few of weeks will give me not only a splash of color, but beautiful and fragrant flowers. I plant a new batch every month so that there are flowers blooming in the house until spring. The red and green of winter melt into the vibrant colors of spring.

Here are just a few of my suggestions for the best storage options.

Hat boxes available at discount stores are great for ribbon and wrapping accessories.

Garment bags for: wreathes; boxes of ornaments; artificial garland. These can be hung in a closet or from any rack or bar.

Wrap lights around a half-used roll of paper towels. Then roll up in an old towel.

Save nice, well-made clothing, accessory and show boxes for storage. They are typically reinforced and hold up well. Use them with tissue paper to store special or antique ornaments that did not come in their own box.

Tool boxes available in hardware and discount stores for storing gardening wire for wreathes and garland projects; ornament hooks, extension cords, timers, light bulbs, wreath hangers, etc.

Tubes for architectural drawings available at packing and moving stores are great for storing and protecting leftover holiday wrapping paper.

Old suitcases found at flea markets and thrift stores are perfect for storing holiday goods. Handles make them easier to transport than boxes and they can be incorporated into room design.

Recycle good-quality, heavy duty shopping bags. Use then for storing rolls of wrapping paper, large spools of ribbon and gift bags.

Plastic milk crates available at office supply stores are great for tight spaces and closets because they are light-weight and stackable.

No holiday storage would be complete without recycling something for the following year. I reuse holiday cards as gift labels. Let me explain. Cut off the part of the card that is signed by the giver. Retain the front part and using pinking shears, cut the card around the design into any shape that preserves the design. Store these in an old stationary or cigar box for next year’s gifts. When ready to use, punch a hole in the corner with a hole-puncher and tie onto the bow or ribbon of the gift with a piece of raffia. This gives the gift a whimsical touch.

And there you have it.