Taking down xmas lights--any tips.......

[Beth76]

on how to store them so they don't get tangled (or at least reduce tangling). I have the net lights that go over bushes. Anyone have any good ideas?

 

[mudnuri]

I throw mine away every year. on christmas day I buy new ones that are 50% off..

my tree goes out to my trash man with the lights on it..every year...never costs me more than $10 and it's not worth $10 of my time to figure out how to untangle them!

Brandy

 

[CindyKansas]

We bought reels that are specifcally made for Christmas tree lights. I have used a piece of heavy cardboard to wrap the lights around. We have our tree made into mulch after we are done with it, so leaving the lights on it would not be an option for us.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I would just lift them off the bushes, lay them on a flat surface and fold (gently) several times to fit in a box. Works fine. I take them off in reverse order that I put them up, then the following year I just take them out and place on the bushes. if they do not light I replace. I'll pick up 3 or 4 new replacements a year to have on hand.

 

[SC Minnie]

DH spends the time to put them back in the box exactly how they came out. Drives me crazy

 

[KaterBell]

Good idea about the heavy cardboard to wrap the lights around....now why didn't I think of that before? We always swear about how we always think we put the lights away untangled after last Christmas.....

Good thread!