Archive for December, 2018

How to Declutter Christmas Decor and Store Only the Best

Sunday, December 30th, 2018

Declutter Christmas decor
Enjoy extra space in your Brooklyn home all year and get yourself a step ahead in the selling process. Declutter Christmas decor now!

I have a confession to make. When it comes to Christmas décorations, I’ve got more than I can possibly use. But I struggle to part with any of it. Some have emotional and sentimental ties. Others I just hate to give away because I bought them on sale, and “they’re just too good to not use.” And what am I rewarded with each year? The feeling of overwhelm. Know what I’m talking about? This year, with the help of family, I am taking the decluttering “bull by the horns.” We will conscientiously declutter Christmas décor step by step.

How and When to Declutter Christmas Decor

Now is the perfect time to declutter Christmas décor. Christmas Day has passed and your favorite decorations are out. So purge what you no longer want, gather proper quantities of properly sized storage containers, and store only your best holiday items.

1. Declutter Holiday Decor You No Longer Want

As you bring your storage boxes back out, declutter the following items:

  • Items broken beyond repair or that you won’t take the time to repair (ornaments, strings of lights, etc.)
  • Anything you don’t love or even like very much
  • Everything you avoid putting out year after year

Check out this list of home storage solutions for even more ideas.

Remember, less is more, especially when it comes to holiday décorations. As you declutter Christmas décor, conscientiously keep only the best and throw out or donate the rest.

Note: Don’t donate broken items deserving of the trash. Also, these steps to declutter Christmas décor can be used when dealing with all holiday and seasonal decorations throughout the year.

2. Categorize Your Best Decorations2

Once you’ve purged and donated the items you no longer want, then categorize decorations into one of the following categories:

  • Decorations for the Christmas tree: ornaments, hooks, beads, lights, tree skirt, tree stand, tree topper
  • Indoor and outdoor light strands: extra bulbs, light clips. Mark each strand with its length.
  • Artificial tree(s), wreaths, and garlands. Mark each garland with its length and where it is displayed (atop kitchen cupboards, upstairs stair banister, etc.) Here are some great storage ideas:
  • TreeKeeper artificial Christmas tree storage bag. This allows you to keep your artificial tree assembled and ready to use next year.
  • And if you have room to do so, hang your garland instead of winding it up in a box or bag. You’ll save yourself a lot of time since you won’t need to fluff your garland.
  • Use WreathKeeper bags for hanging regular to oversized wreaths.
  • Nativity scenes, Christmas villages, and other freestanding decorations
  • Lawn ornaments and outdoor decorations
  • Christmas dishes
  • Candles
  • Miscellaneous

3. Gather Properly-Sized Containers to Store Your Christmas Decor3

Assess the amounts of decorations in each category. Then make sure you have enough of the right-sized containers to store everything properly and safely.

If you’re unable to buy a number of storage containers all at once (especially right after Christmas), keep these ideas in mind and purchase what you need as you have opportunity throughout the year.

How to Store Christmas DecorationsH

  • Pack decorations from the same category in one box. (For example, one box for everything that goes on or with the tree)
  • Don’t overstuff boxes. Everything should fit neatly with plenty of room to keep things from breaking or being damaged while in storage
  • Store all Christmas storage boxes together in one area in your home or garage. Then everything can be found easily next year!
  • Protect decorations from extreme temperatures, moisture, dirt, dust, rodents, and insects

Christmas Storage Solutions to ConsiderC

There are lots of great places to purchase storage containers in stores and on-line. Watch this video from Good Housekeeping for things around your home that can be repurposed into ingenious storage containers.

  • Instead of cardboard boxes, replace them with sturdy, plastic Christmas storage containers. They stack well and protect their contents effectively. “Clear” boxes allow you to view what’s in each box without lifting the lid, too.
  • Purchase tissue paper or newspaper end rolls to wrap ornaments, or use ornament storage boxes with divided containers. Ornament boxes are designed to keep the decorations from banging against each other in storage and getting damaged or broken.
  • Avoid the frustration of untangling Christmas lights next year. This year wrap your light strings around a Christmas light storage reel. You can purchase them or make them yourself.
  • Buy storage items designed specifically for storing large Christmas décor such things as an artificial tree or wreaths.

Store Only Your Best Christmas Decor in the Best WayS

Wherever you store your Christmas items, store the containers so that they are easily accessible when next Christmas arrives. You want to find what you want quickly. That means labeling your boxes with its contents and stacking the boxes so that the label is visible and easy to read.

Apply Patience Now for a Less Hectic Christmas Next Year

Whatever efforts you make to declutter Christmas décor this year will make decorating next year much easier. Yes, it takes time and patience, but the reward of added space and easier Christmas decorating will have you repeating, “I’m so glad I did that last year!” nce you’ve taken these steps this year, each year’s Christmas decoration process from now on will be so much easier. You’ll be able to find all the boxes you need quickly and easily, pull out clean undamaged decorations, and enjoy the process of decorating your home for the holidays.

Declutter Christmas décor now and enjoy the added space in your Brooklyn home all year. And if you decide to sell, you’ll be one step ahead in the selling process and getting your home ready to be shown. It’s another win-win for you and your potential buyers.

And when you’re ready to sell, call Charles D’Alessandro, your Brooklyn Real Estate Agent with Fillmore Real Estate at (718) 253-9600 ext.206 or email [email protected].



Brooklyn Real Estate Agent

 Charles D’Alessandro

Your Brooklyn Real Estate Agent

718-253-9600 ext. 206

[email protected]

It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year to Sell Your Home

Saturday, December 15th, 2018

Time of the year

Now is the best time of the year to sell your home thanks to some really great reasons that only the month of December provides.

Is now a good time to be selling a home? When it comes to selling your home, there’s no time like Christmas! It’s true there are fewer buyers looking for a home at this time of the year. But the pros definitely outweigh the cons. So don’t let the holidays keep you from taking advantage of selling your home now. It’s the most wonderful time of the year!

Why Christmas is the Most Wonderful Time of the Year to Sell Your Home

Staging is Simple

Thanks to holiday decorating, you can get by with minimal staging. However, decorate with a light hand.

Buyers are Serious

Buyers at this time of the year are serious about getting into a home. Honestly, there are serious buyers out there at all times of the year. But in December, the tire kickers are eliminated. They’re less likely to waste time viewing anything that doesn’t have what they want and need in a home. What makes many of them serious about finding a home in December?

  • They may have sold their homes in the fall
  • A job relocation before the new year arrives may be their current situation
  • Families with school children may want to get moved and settled a bit during Christmas break

Closings Happen Quickly

Since there are fewer transactions being processed at this time of the year, closings happen more quickly. Home inspectors have fewer inspections to do. Mortgage lenders have fewer loans to process. And attorneys have fewer closings to handle. That’s a whole lotta stress taken outta the picture, too!

Competition Isn’t Fierce

And fewer homes listed at this time of the year is to your advantage. With fewer homes on the market, your home stands a much better chance of selling. Once the holidays are over, more For Sale signs start appearing. And that brings the chances of your home being seen and purchased after January 1 way down.

Are you thinking about selling your home or waiting to list it in the spring? Now is the most wonderful time of the year, and for good reason. If your home has been on the market for a few months, take this time to reassess your strategy for getting your property sold. But don’t give waiting until spring to sell your home another thought. And don’t worry about your kids’ messy playroom or all those dirty dishes you used making holiday goodies. Enjoy the most wonderful time of the year and the serious buyers who want to see and buy your house as is in December.

The Best Real Estate Agent

Charles D’Alessandro won’t tell you that the fall or winter months are a bad time of the year to sell. He’s a great real estate agent who adapts to the time of the year and markets your listing accordingly. Click here for tips on how to sell a home during the fall or winter months. Then give Charles D’Alessandro, your Brooklyn Real Estate Agent with Fillmore Real Estate a call at (718) 253-9600 ext.206 or email [email protected].



Brooklyn Real Estate Agent

 Charles D’Alessandro

Your Brooklyn Real Estate Agent

718-253-9600 ext. 206

[email protected]