Repurposing your Christmas Décor for a Fresh Look!

If you are like me you have tote after tote of holiday decorations. I’ve hauled at least 10 totes through 6 moves and I needed to take control and liquidated. I still have all those sentimental ornaments EVERY one of my kiddos ornaments carefully stored and labeled, but I have resolved that I DON’T need to display all those gems-that is just exhausting! Instead, the kids pick out their favorites while we listen to Christmas music and reminisce about where they got them, who gave them to them and their memories of Christmas’ past. Here are a few tips on how I stay organized and repurpose my decorations for a fresh, new look each year.
Organize and Save Time and Money
I have a little obsession about designing my tree’s each year. It’s kinda like Christmas for me to open each tote and start planning. I organize my decorations by color. The first tip is FREE. Simply by taking the time to pack up your décor by color allows you to start planning your tree and where you might want or need to supplement for next year…or what to shop for during after Christmas sales. Hobby Lobby and Target are two of my favorites and I often grab deals at 75% off! I simply check out what colors I may need more of or want to add before I shop and then  put them in each tote by color theme when I get home. My own little Christmas gift to myself for the coming year.
This year, I had not only the two trees in our city home to decorate but we also have one at our acreage, an office tree and I decided to stage our latest flip house for Christmas too. By the way, the house sold in 10 days and I am confident the timing and cozy holiday decor helped in selling it so quickly. There is just something so powerful in the spirit of Christmas.
Avoid the VOID!

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Take a look at these trees. For our flip house I pulled in the turquoise, red and silver from each of my totes. There isn’t anything worse than a bare tree and I’ve found that feather boas remedy the empty tree dilemma. They are super inexpensive, easy to find and you don’t need many. Oriental Trading and Hobby Lobby have a great selection. In tree 2, I used burlap rolls of ribbon I had leftover from our wedding reception. It can’t get any easier than tucking large ribbon throughout the tree. Easy Peasy!
Another favorite filler are poinsettia’s. They come in fabulous colors. I found Walmart has a clip on version in so many colors and I scooped up dozens last year on clearance. However, if you need them now and fast try the Hobby Lobby floral department where they sell large stems with 8-10 poinsettia’s per stem. I buy them during the 50% off sale and use my wire cutters to cut each one from the stem and tuck them in throughout the tree. VOILA! problemo solved.

Transform your current décor into holiday features.
I love apothecary pieces and have them throughout our homes. Think beyond Christmas specific pieces and incorporate what you already have. It saves money and storage space. I used stems I purchased this year, with what I had to create this display that coordinates with our tree. You can also “Wrap” your throw pillows? Simply take ribbon and tie a bow just like you would a package. It adds instant holiday cheer. I did add a few new pillows from Hobby Lobby and Target this year because… well.. I just haven’t found a pillow I don’t like, and they are sooo inexpensive and add so much to a room. Consider Wayfair throw pillow covers to save even more money and space.

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Wrap it UP!
I have to admit, before I plan my theme for the season I check out what I have for wrapping paper. Seriously, this is the primary driver for creating my theme. Because I carefully add colors to my “totes” I always have something that will work. I find wrapping to match the tree just extends the theme, looks awesome and those pretty packages become decor all on their own.

It may seem as though I have a warehouse of holiday totes somewhere hidden away, but by organizing and planning from year to year I still have the same 10 totes I’ve always used, and pilfer from them for almost every holiday throughout the year.
Happy Decorating and Happy Holidays!