So Easter’s over. The kids are on a sugar crash, there’s still glitter on the floor that you’ll be finding in July, and you’re looking at the mountain of plastic eggs, stuffed bunnies, and that one delicate ceramic chick your great-aunt gave you that you’re terrified of breaking.
Can we just be real for a second? The temptation to get a giant trash bag and just sweep everything into it is SO strong. I’ve been there. I’ve done the “shove it all in a cardboard box and deal with it next year” method. And let me tell you, Future You will curse Present You’s name when you open that box next March to find a tangled mess of broken dreams and chewed-up Peeps.
But I’ve learned a few things from my own disasters. Here’s my no-BS, real-person guide to taming the Easter chaos.
First, The Purge. (And a glass of wine doesn’t hurt.)
Do NOT start by packing. That’s a trap. Start by making a bigger mess. Dump every single Easter-related item into a giant pile on the living room rug. Every. Single. Thing.
Now, get critical.
- The Hall of Famers: This is the stuff that genuinely makes you happy. The ornament your kid made in preschool. The nice tablecloth. That one wreath that just works. These are your keepers.
- The “Meh” Pile: That slightly creepy bunny from the dollar spot you bought on a whim. The plastic garland is in its better days. The pack of napkins with two left. If it doesn’t spark joy, thank it for its service and put it in a donation bag. Seriously, just let it go.
- The Trash: Be ruthless. The broken egg. The dried-out markers from the egg decorating kit. The fake grass that’s matted with cookie crumbs. Toss it. You won’t miss it.
This step alone cuts the workload in half. You’re only dealing with the good stuff now.
Wipe It Down. (It takes two minutes.)
I know, you’re tired. But grab a damp cloth and just wipe the dust and sticky fingerprints off your keeper decorations. Let them air dry. Packing away clean stuff means it comes out ready to party next year, not covered in a year-old film of jellybean residue.
Your Storage Arsenal: Ditch the Cardboard
Cardboard boxes are the worst. They get damp, they attract bugs, and they smell funky. Go to the store and get yourself some clear plastic bins with lids that snap on tight. The clear part is a game-changer—you can see what’s inside without playing a guessing game next year.
Now for my secret weapons:
- Ziploc Bags are Your Best Friend: I am dead serious. This is the best tip I’ve ever gotten. Put all the plastic eggs in a gallon-sized bag. Put all the little figurines in their own sandwich bags. Wrap the cord of the Easter tree lights loosely and put the whole thing in a bag. It stops things from scratching, getting lost, or turning into a nightmare knot. It’s pure magic.
- Pack with Padding: Start with the heavy, sturdy stuff at the bottom of the bin. Then, use your soft items as natural padding. I wrap my fragile ceramic pieces in a tea towel or nestle them inside the Easter basket. That tablecloth you just folded? It’s now a cushion for your delicate items. No need to buy bubble wrap unless it’s a true family heirloom.
- Label Like a Boss: Don’t just write “Easter.” You’ll forget what’s in there. I write things like: “EASTER – Egg Hunt Stuff” or “EASTER – Table & Door Decor.” This way, if I just need the baskets, I’m not digging through the bin with the good linens.
The Final Hurdle: Where to Put This Stuff?
Okay, so you’ve got these perfectly packed bins. Now what? Your attic is a sauna in the summer. Your basement is a questionable place with a weird smell. Your garage is already full of sports equipment and things you’ve been meaning to fix since 2015.
This was my exact problem. My house doesn’t have a “cool, dry, dark place” that isn’t already occupied. That’s why we finally broke down and got a small storage unit at HarrisonBurg Storage. And honestly? It’s been a lifesaver. It’s not a dusty, scary place; it’s just a clean, locked closet away from home. I know my stuff is safe from temperature swings and humidity, and it has completely freed up that awkward space under my stairs. Now, rotating holiday decorations is actually easy. I just swing by, swap out the Easter for the Fourth of July stuff, and I’m done. No more clutter, no more stress.
So that’s it. No fancy tricks, just real talk from someone who’s learned the hard way. Take an hour, be a little ruthless, and pack with your future sanity in mind. When you open those bins next spring and everything is just… perfect… you’ll want to hug your past self. And you totally should.r easy identification, making it a breeze to find your Easter décor when the next holiday season rolls around. And as always, to help keep your house tidy and organized, you can use self-storage units to get some extra space at home!
Happy Easter, and may your festivities be filled with love, laughter, and plenty of eggs!
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