The Plentiful Platter Store

Once the hustle and bustle of the season has ended, its time to clean up the evidence of the joyous holiday. The key to next years ease of decorating is this years organized clean-up strategy.

When removing ornaments from the tree, wrap any delicates up in paper or bubble wrap, then place in small plastic tubs. These tubs should be labeled to remind you what's in there next year. The smaller tubs can then be kept in a larger container. If you used any festive wreaths, these should be placed in rigid boxes before also placing in the larger container. The star on top of the tree needs to also be wrapped independently before placing in the bigger box too.

Depending on how many small plastic boxes you have and the maximum amount of weight you can lift, you may need one to three bigger-sized plastic tubs. Keeping everything in one very large plastic tub can be difficult to carry upstairs from the basement or to lift down from the attic. Be wise and store your items according to your circumstances.

Apart from those who purchased a xmas tree with pre-fitted lights, wrapping the lights should be done carefully, remembering you'll need to access them next year. They can so easily become a tangled mess, so should ideally be wrapped around a special made Christmas lights reel. This will ensure they do not become entwined. Start with the plug socket, wind onto the reel, and slowly you will reach the top of the tree.

Finishing at the top of the tree can be an advantage, as next year you're going to want to begin putting them back on from the top. The reels will be heavy, so to avoid them crushing any of the other ornaments, or giving personal injury to the person that has to lift it, the should be placed in a separate container, perhaps with the tree base and skirt.

The artificial tree will be ok to put back in its original box if you kept it. Another option is using a canvas sack, or new box. It has been known that bugs and insects can crawl through any gaps or holes in plastic sheeting or bags, so I wouldn't recommend wrapping the tree in plastic. It's best to keep the tree in a cool, dark area, to stop any warping from too much heat.

If you bought a live tree, it needs to be disposed of in the correct manner, instead of being left outside to rot, or thrown out on the side of the road somewhere. The website: www.earth911.org. can help you to find out your nearest recycling plant.

Ask the waste disposal people on the best way of disposal, and perhaps they'll suggest a place you can take it to. Recycling is easy, as it is naturally grown, and will degrade and rot of its own accord. This does seem a lot of hassle, but it is the right thing to do, and if you find it difficult, then remember the situation for next year " perhaps it will inspire you to buy a faux tree.

Although it may be tempting to quickly put away all of your Christmas dcor in random places, its more advantageous for you to take time this year and do it correctly so the following years of trimming and untrimming the tree are less frustrating and time consuming.

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