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Post-Holiday Tips, Clean-Up has Never Been So Easy

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After all the hustle and bustle of the holidays, sadly they have come to an end and it’s time to begin the clean-up process. Decorations need to be put back into storage, leftovers need to be eaten (or moved far away, depending on how tight your pants feel post-eggnog), the tree has to be packed away or disposed of, and finally the outdoor Christmas lights have to come down. Feeling overwhelmed? Don’t! We have some easy step-by-step tips to making this year’s holiday tear down go smoothly and as painless as possible.

Removing the Tree

Old Christmas Tree “How do I get this live tree out of the house with the least amount of pine needles left behind?” Sometimes when we go to remove the tree each year, we forget to take a minute and think about how it’s going to be executed. We want to get the tree out of the house as quickly as possible and we forget to plan out the steps, leaving a big mess in the end to clean up. By following these simple tips, you will be sure to save time and clean-up effort in the end. 1. Avoid letting your tree dry out before you remove it. This just makes for a bigger mess as the pine needles fall off a lot easier when your tree is dry and it also creates a fire hazard. 2. Make sure to remove all ornaments, lights and any other decorations. 3. Have a large container readily available to dump any water that has collected in the tree stand. 4. Use a large plastic tree bag or old blanket to wrap the tree. This helps avoid a mess on your floors. 5. Finally, carefully carry the tree to the curb, making sure to not place it in the way of sidewalks or roads.
  • Note #1: If you don’t already have a service, arrange for pick-up from your local yard waste management company.
  • Note #2: If you would like to recycle your tree there are many different options available; curbside pick-up, taking your tree to a recycling center, yard waste and more. Check out the National Christmas Tree Association for more information.

Taking Down Christmas Lights

Christmas Lights on Shrubs “How do I remove all of my Christmas lights without damaging my trees and shrubs in the process?” This always seems to be the dreaded task each January, but at the same time it needs to be done. When it comes to removing the lights on our trees, it can become very challenging as well as frustrating due to the low temperatures and the lights themselves getting stiff and unmanageable. Here are a few simple Do’s and Don’ts to assist you in removing your lights as quickly as possible, but without damaging your trees and shrubs. 1. Always remember LAST UP, FIRST OFF. Removing lights in this order is really key. It may sound a bit over kill, but in the end this tip will make your life a lot easier. 2. Make sure to use a ladder for those lights that are a bit out of reach. Don’t take any chances of hurting yourself or your landscape. 3. Refrain from pulling and tugging on light strands. This act of impatience ends up damaging your lights, but more importantly it will end up damaging your trees and shrubs! When lights are pulled or tugged off plants, the buds may be torn off or even become damaged, making regrowth in the spring more challenging and delayed. 4. Take the time to cleanly coil up your lights, rather than just throwing them in a box. By taking the extra time now, will mean a much smoother decorating experience next year. Do you have any special techniques when cleaning up after the holidays, share below your do’s and don’ts, as we would love to hear how you have made your process easier and less painless.