Decorating for the holidays is a time-honored tradition that brings joy to many families. However, all good things must come to an end. When you’re ready, these tips will help make your holiday cleanup faster and easier.

Invest in Storage Bins

Cardboard boxes can degrade over the course of a year, while storage bins can last for decades. When choosing storage containers, look for ones that will stack nicely and consider going with clear bins so you can see at a glance what each one contains. If you do go with solid colored containers, be sure to label them for easy identification in the future.

Label Everything

Labeling what’s in each storage container is just the beginning. Make sure the items inside the box are labeled too, especially if you have certain lights or decorations that go in specific locations. Masking tape is a good labeling option because it’s easy to write on and easy to remove when you’re ready to use your decorations again.

Throw Out Broken Decorations

Frayed light strings and broken glass can be a hazard. If you don’t have time to fix broken decorations, either throw them out or put them in a dedicated bin for items in need of repair. This will help save time testing out decorations next year and help you avoid injury.