Thinking Inside the Box

A storage-themed DIY to help organize and pack your festive decor.

Starting the year off with some storage options thanks to your local Salvation Army thrift store is easy and affordable. After the festive season closes, we’re ready to pack up our ornaments, decorations, lights and maybe even a reusable tree. Fortunately, there are numerous organizational options available, from regular plastic bins to creative uses for familiar objects. Big plastic bins are the norm for storing items. You can find them in various sizes and all you need to do is fill them, lid them and then add a label for what’s inside. Baskets of all shapes and sizes are another option. Use them to store your more delicate items, such as ornaments. Document organizers are made for storing stuff elegantly, whether you use them for gift wrap, ribbons or stationery. You can stack them, add a label and even dress them up with paper, paint or your crafty material of choice. Tins, small boxes or glass containers are perfect for smaller items, such as ornament hooks, ribbons or stickers. Pillowcases or duvet covers can be reused for protecting and storing your collapsed reusable tree, wreaths or larger hanging Christmas decor. Makeup or pencil cases are a neat way to keep cables and plugs together. And while you’re Marie Kondo-ing your festive decor, maybe think of decluttering. Your local Salvation Army thrift store is the perfect place for those old decorations you haven’t used in a while.

(left) Denise Corcoran (a.k.a. Thrifty By Design) is an author, upcycler, community builder and workshop facilitator based in North Vancouver. She shares her enthusiasm for crafting and upcycling by facilitating “Crafternoons” throughout Vancouver. She is also a creative expert for The Salvation Army’s thrift stores. Find a thrift store near you at thriftstore.ca.

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