Coming from a Latino household, there were several ways of putting away the Christmas tree and ornaments. As a kid, I didn’t remember where we put all that stuff. Now that I’m older with my own kids, I was regretting each year when I opened up the box where the tree was stored. Now I have two places where we decorate for Christmas, our home and our church. One year we opened up the tree box from the church and there was poop everywhere from mice and birds’ nests. There has to be a change! Here are some fun comparisons between a Latino’s way of putting away Christmas and how its done where I live in Alabama, the rural South. Also, as a Spanish teacher, I found out about some Latin American countries’ traditions.

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'Tis the season to be jolly, and for many Latinos in the United States, the joy of Christmas extends beyond the holiday itself. As the festive decorations grace our homes, there's a shared sentiment of wanting to preserve that holiday magic for the next year. Most Latinos have already decorated their homes before Thanksgiving. So when family and friends come to visit for Thanksgiving dinner, all the decor is Christmas! Here are a few ideas of traditions that Latinos from all over Latin America who live in the United States do before they pack up their Christmas. On the 12th day of Christmas, which is a holiday called Three Kings’ Day, after this day, the Christmas decorations can be taken down

1. Ornament Organizing Extravaganza (a tradition of Juana Santana):

When it comes to ornaments, treat them like precious gems. Create a dedicated box for each family member and let them personalize their own section. This not only adds a personal touch but also makes unpacking next year a sentimental journey.

2. Fiesta-Friendly Wrapping Paper: (A tradition of Karen Sanchez Gonzalez)

Instead of using regular newspaper or plain wrapping paper, consider wrapping delicate ornaments in colorful tissue paper. This not only protects them but also adds a burst of festive color when the boxes are opened next year.

3. Tree Collar Turned Art Piece:

Transform your tree collar into a DIY project. Encourage the family to paint or decorate it during the holiday season. When it's time to pack up, it becomes a piece of art stored with care, ready to add a personal touch to the tree next year.

4. Lights Lasso Technique:

Avoid the tangled mess of Christmas lights by using the lights lasso technique. Wrap strings of lights around pieces of cardboard, securing the ends. This way, they'll be tangle-free and ready to illuminate your home with festive brilliance next Christmas.

5. Navidad Memory Jar:

Create a "Navidad Memory Jar" throughout the holiday season. Have family members write down their favorite memories, wishes, or funny anecdotes related to Christmas and place them in the jar. When it's time to pack up, seal the jar and store it with the decorations. Opening it next year will be a heartwarming tradition.

6. Piñata-Inspired Storage Bags:

Add a touch of fiesta to your storage routine by using vibrant, piñata-inspired storage bags. These colorful bags not only protect your decorations but also make the storage process a celebration in itself.

7. Fragrant Faux-Fir Freshness:

Place scented sachets or cedar blocks in the storage containers to maintain that fresh Christmas tree scent. It's a small touch that brings back the fragrance of the holidays when you open the boxes again.

8. Tamales and Tinsel Together:

Turn the act of packing away decorations into a family event by incorporating a tamale-making night. Combine the joy of wrapping tamales with the wrapping of ornaments, creating a fusion of tradition and holiday spirit.

While the Latinos do it that way, in the rural south of Alabama, they do it this way:

In the rural South of Alabama, putting away Christmas decorations is not just a task; it's a Southern soiree infused with the warmth of community, the charm of porch gatherings, and the simplicity of a slower pace. As families wrap up their holiday memories, they do so with a touch of Southern comfort that makes the storage process uniquely theirs. I never knew that you could store your Christmas decor in a rental storage facility! This shoked me! How much stuff do these people have? Well, I learned that those who love Christmas, add a tree to each room and the trees in a particular room have a theme.

I love pecan pie!!

Adopt a pecan pie-inspired organizational approach. Arrange decorations in layers, similar to the layers of pecans in the iconic Southern dessert. It's a nod to culinary traditions and ensures that each piece is easily accessible when the holiday season rolls around again.

2. Shrimp Boat Nets as Garland Holders:

In coastal areas of Alabama, where shrimp boats are part of the scenery, repurpose old nets as holders for garlands. The nautical touch not only adds character but also showcases the region's connection to the Gulf.

3. Southern Gospel Tunes & Takedown:

Set the mood for the takedown with Southern Gospel tunes playing softly in the background. Whether it's Elvis Presley's rendition of "Blue Christmas" or a local gospel choir, music adds a soulful dimension to the process, turning a chore into a cherished Southern moment.

4. Totes and more totes

What I have noticed in Alabama is the large amount of totes that families own in order to put away their Christmas decorations. This is a family affair. All the kids are involved in setting up and putting away Christmas decorations. Some families start putting out their Christmas stuff as early as October because some families have a magical Christmas with lights and ornaments in every room of their house.

Teresa Johnson, from Alabama does an extraordinary job getting her house ready for Christmas. Each year I look forward to seeing how she will decorate her house. Although I’ve never been to her house and don’t know where she lives, I feel as If I’m enjoying every room through her photos. Her son Riley helps her each year. I appreciate the photos she shared with us. Here are some tips that Teresa has about putting away her decorations:

“As for as storage, we have an outside building for the majority of our decorations. We store decorations in totes with the decorations packed in the original boxes. We also have some of the ornament boxes. Our trees and swags that are flocked are stored in an upstairs bonus room that is climate controlled because the flocking could melt in the swelling Alabama heat. Our outside lights are neatly rolled up and stored in large tubs.”

Just in case you didn’t know:

Flocking involves applying a heavy amount of faux snow to Christmas trees. The goal is to make them look like their natural counterparts on mountains during a winter storm. Keep in mind, however, that flocking can fall off over time and leave bare patches in tree branches.

A Christmas swag is an evergreen decoration made from fresh greenery such as holly, red berries, warm white clear lights, bristle, pinecones, and evergreens. It is often decorated with ribbons, bows, and other festive elements.

Advice for everyone from everyone

For those new to the art of storing Christmas decor, fear not! With a few simple do's and don'ts, you can ensure that your festive items remain in tip-top shape, saving you from the disappointment of discovering damaged decorations when the holiday season rolls around again.

Storage Do's:

1. Do Clean Before Storing:

Before packing away your decorations, give them a good clean to remove dust and any residue. Wipe down ornaments, clean tree skirts, and ensure lights are free from dirt. A little TLC goes a long way.

2. Do Invest in Quality Storage Containers:

Opt for durable, transparent storage containers with secure lids. These protect your items from dust and moisture while allowing you to easily identify the contents.

3. Do Label Your Boxes:

Label each storage box with a list of its contents. This makes it much easier to locate specific items when it's time to decorate next year, saving you from rummaging through multiple boxes.

4. Do Store Lights Properly:

Wrap Christmas lights around a cord holder or a piece of cardboard to prevent tangles. Store them in a separate box to avoid potential damage to other decorations.

5. Do Use Tissue Paper for Fragile Items:

For delicate ornaments and figurines, wrap them in tissue paper before placing them in storage. This provides an extra layer of protection against scratches and breakage.

6. Do Keep Storage Area Dry:

Store your Christmas decorations in a dry area to prevent mold or mildew. Consider adding moisture-absorbing products like silica gel packs to protect against humidity.

Storage Don'ts:

1. Don't Use Newspaper:

Avoid using newspaper as a packing material, as the ink can transfer and stain your decorations. Opt for clean packing materials like tissue paper or bubble wrap instead.

2. Don't Overcrowd Storage Boxes:

While it may be tempting to fit as much as possible into one box, overcrowding can lead to breakage. Use multiple boxes to ensure each item has its own space.

3. Don't Skip Inspection:

Before storing, inspect your decorations for damage. Fix any issues immediately or consider whether it's time to replace worn-out items.

4. Don't Store in Extreme Temperatures:

Avoid storing decorations in areas with extreme temperature fluctuations, such as attics or basements. Extreme heat or cold can damage delicate items and affect the overall quality of your decorations.

5. Don't Forget to Remove Batteries:

If your decorations require batteries, remove them before storing. Batteries can leak over time, causing damage to both the decorations and the battery compartment.

6. Don't Rush the Packing Process:

Take your time when packing away decorations. Rushing increases the likelihood of items getting damaged. Plan ahead and make packing a part of your post-holiday routine.

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Packing Up Christmas- This is How We do It: Latinos vs. The Rural South