Once Christmas is over, the last way you want to spend your free time is putting away dozens of strands of lights. But instead of rushing to finish the job and ending up with a mess of tangled and knotted wires, take your time and do it the right way. Avoid next year's frustration by using these four tips to store your Christmas lights correctly.

Inspect Your Lights

It does not make a whole lot of sense to keep lights that no longer work. At the end of the Christmas season, check all of your lights to make sure there are no problems with them. If there are any broken or missing lights, don't put them away with a promise to deal with it next year. Either get your lights repaired or throw them away. Bonus tip — make sure your lights are completely dry before putting them away. 

Store Lights in Protective Storage Containers

Hard-sided plastic boxes are great for storing your Christmas lights. To prevent the strands from wrapping around each other, try using a twisty-tie to secure them or pack each string of lights in a plastic bag. You may want to label each box with its contents. It is a good idea to include the length of the strand and where it goes to make it easier to put up decorations in the future. 

Avoid Storing Lights Where There are Extreme Weather Conditions

Find a dry place in your home where the temperature remains stable throughout the year. This means your damp basement, an attic or garage without insulation is out. Instead, you should consider storing the boxes in the closet of a guest bedroom or under a bed. Many people keep a dedicated area in their homes for all of their decorations to make preparing for each holiday more convenient. 

Wrap Your Christmas Lights

One of the most convenient ways to store strings of light is to wrap them around something. This helps to keep them tangle-free and compact. There are many ways to do this. One of the most convenient and space-saving methods is to wind the lights around a hanger, then all you need to do is hang it in your closet. You may also want to try wrapping lights around a cardboard or metal tube and then storing them in a weatherproof container. 

Do you want a brighter new year? Northern Lighting has been serving the residents and businesses of the Columbus, Ohio area with all of their lighting needs since 1973. Whether you need interior or exterior lighting, the experts at Northern Lighting can help. Visit our huge showroom with over 3,000 different lighting and home accessories. We are open late and on the weekend for your convenience.