Wrap Christmas Lights Around a Coffee Can to Keep Them Organized and Untangled for Next Year [Organization]

Now that the holidays are coming to a close, you may be thinking about taking down the lights, ornaments, and other decorations you put up for the season and stashing them away for another year. Before you do, save yourself the frustration of tangled balls of Christmas lights come December of next year by using an old coffee can to keep everything organized. Just put one end into the top of the can, and spool the lights around the can so they stay untangled.

The folks at Real Simple initially suggest that you visit your local craft store and pick up a holiday light reel (about $15 at Amazon) or spool to get the job done, but if you don't want to spend money, they note that a coffee can works just as well. Just cut a slot in the top of the can, feed one end of the lights through (the end with the plug works best since it'll get caught in the opening) and spool away. Plus, you can toss in replacement bulbs and other extension cords inside the can so they don't get separated from the lights.

They also have some suggestions on how to store your ornaments safely for next year, but odds are you have a method for that already. When do you plan to take down your decorations? This week, or after New Year's? Let us know in the comments below.

How To: Store Christmas Decorations and Lights | Real Simple

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/lifehacker/full/~3/xrcM3IPLfXw/wrap-christmas-lights-around-a-coffee-can-to-keep-them-organized-and-untangled-for-next-year

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