The Perfect Put-Away

Nobody writes songs about what a joy it is to un-deck the halls of his or her garlands and boughs of holly—and then put it all away. For most people, picking up after the holidays is a major pain. But it doesn't have to be.

"I've got it down to a science," says Sarah Svoboda, a mom in Graham, Missouri, who decorates 17 trees inside her home—and whose outside lights on her farmhouse are visible from miles away. She relies on her own system of plastic bins and detailed labels to keep her organized for the holidays, storing items room by room.

Like Svoboda, you can figure out how and where to store your holiday keepsakes and decorations in a way that will save you time, money, and headaches. Our tricks from Motherboard Moms and professional organizers will help.