Pack-Up & Storage Planner

Take-down order

1. Photograph your tree and best displays — future-you will thank you next year.
2. Take down outdoor lights first while the weather allows; coil onto a reel or cardboard.
3. Remove ornaments by fragility — heirlooms first, into a divided box with tissue.
4. Strip the tree of lights, testing each strand before storing (toss any dead ones).
5. Launder and fold stockings, tree skirts, and table linens before they're boxed.
6. Wrap wreaths and garlands in a large bag or bin to keep shape and shed needles.
7. Group by room, not by type — next year you'll unpack room-by-room.
8. Label every box (use the generator below) and note the count: 'Box 3 of 7'.

Keep or let go?

• Keep: Used it this year and love itLet go: Hasn't left the box in 2+ years
• Keep: Heirloom or handmade / sentimentalLet go: Duplicate of something better
• Keep: Still works and looks goodLet go: Broken, faded, or missing pieces
• Keep: Fits your current aestheticLet go: Bought for a phase you've moved past

Donate anything in good shape early — charities are quietest in January.