It can be a challenge to store and reuse Christmas and holiday bows. Here’s an easy way to store bows that will stay put in the bag!
A Better Way to Store Christmas And Holiday Bows!
Yes, we really do save the Christmas bows around here so we can reuse them! Even though saving Christmas bows is a great way to save, I have struggled for years trying to figure out how to store them!
I tried a box, but it fell apart.
I tried a gift bag, but it fell apart.
I tried a plastic sack and the cat tore it up.
You name it– I’ve tried it. The worst part was digging down trying to find the right bow and then having all the bows fall out the top or going in and grabbing a roll of wrapping paper only to have the bow bag tip and dump the bows all over!
Well, I’ve found the PERFECT solution! I got a bag that blankets come in and put all of the Christmas bows in there! They fit perfectly. It zips so they can’t fall out and it’s transparent so I can see exactly which bow I need, grab it and go!
Tawra
Great idea Tawra…I LOVE those blanket bags, but never thought of them for bows…. I use them for my crochet projects: you can see which project you want to work on, and all the stuff is inside. Also, if you zip it almost closed, you can pull the yarn through the opening, without pulling the skein out of the bag…. I also used them for toddler toys ( a LOOONG time ago) when we had to go to any functions…. Also keep them in hubby’s suitcase to bring home dirty laundry during business trips…. Also use them to store clean hats, scarves, mittens etc after the winter…..they’re perfect for tools and rags in the trunk of your car as well as a grab and go first aid kit in the trunk as well…Did I say I LOVED them?? (lol)…. I also LOVE the site… God Bless You and your FAMILY with a Blessed CHRISTmas and a Prosperous and HEALTHY NEW YEAR!!
I put my bows in the large popcorn tin cans you get at Walmart. It also works for storing Christmas balls after their boxes are long gone. These cans stack easy and you can write their content on then or make a label for it which ever you desire.
The little extra bulbs for your Christmas lights and the ornament hangers store easily in egg crates.
Don’t you just love those bags!?! I use them for lots of things. Fabric, buttons, craft supplies you name it I will put it in one. I have my SIL and all of her friends saving them for me. Oh, great idea for the bows.
Another thing I love which are like the bags (which I love too) are the clear bags which some doll clothes come in. I beg, borrow and steal (well I don’t steal them but you get my point) from anyone I can. They are just the right size for most quilt blocks, have a zipper on them and are perfect for store my latest quilt projects.
Comparing those bags to most other bags is like comparing the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser to a sponge. There are many toiletries gift sets and travel kits that come in miniature versions of those bags and I hoard them! They’re great for throwing your wet swimsuit in until you return home and the ones that zip shut make an eexcellent poolside clear protector case for your phone, charger, wallet, sunblock, and a snack. They’re awesome for TSA lines. They ROCK as an emergency glove compartment make-up kit. Their usage potential is endless and their value is priceless!
Always save these bags because they are just too nice to throw away, but I have no clue what to do w/them. Thanks for all the wonderful ideas!
I love those plastic zip bags of all sizes (that everything from pillow cases to blankets come in). I use them for storing (in my closets) everything from extra sunglasses, to extra slippers, price tags (I have a business), just everything and anything I want to store. They are perfect because they zip closed so they keep your things dust-free, and they are transparent. I use the big ones for storing blankets in the summer. I use the medium ones for storing out-of-season clothing. I use smaller ones to store items I buy in bulk on sale (like toothpaste and other toiletries). I just can’t say enough about them!
What a great idea! Keeps things from getting too musty, too. I actually have one of those plastic “drawers on wheels” dealie that has the two top drawers about 6″ deep, and the bottom one is about 10″ deep. I keep the bows–used and new–in the bottom drawer, and the ribbon in the middle, and the top drawer has all the tape, scissors, tags and even boxes of Christmas cards.
One thing I try to do with my cards is keep them in their original box, and then write on the inside of the box to whom I sent them and what year–that way, they don’t get the same card from me year after year, and I can send different cards to different people depending on their faith, etc. I also keep a copy of the Christmas Letter (dated, of course!) that we send, and on the back write who got that one! I set up a wrapping station with the paper rolls in their storage crate on one side, and the drawer unit on the other, and a trash bag underneath to catch all the tags and scraps that get tossed, and then put on a favorite Christmas movie and wrap like a maniac.
My favorite trick is to save those “flags” of paper that you get when you wrap a small gift–I cut the whole piece off, then use what I need to wrap the gift. Then, I fold the remnant so that it fits into a flat bag (usually a Hallmark store bag) and then the next time I need to wrap a small gift, I don’t have to go to a roll. I can usually make the fold fit into the new wrapping project, so it looks good as new! I then tuck this bag down into the side of the box that holds the rolls, so it doesn’t get crushed. We save the freebie boxes that you get when you buy new stuff–you know, the ones that collapse? and keep them folded together, stuffed into an oversized gift bag in graduated sizes. Finally, I also keep and reuse all those wonderful gift bags–AND the tissue (yeah, we’re pretty cheap around our house too!) in two boot boxes: bags in one, tissue folded into thirds and stacked in the other. It works great because I can always find exactly what I need! I haven’t bought bows, ribbons, tissue, etc. for 10 years!
Good ideas Dani. We save everything thing too. One thing I meant to give as a tip but forgot to post it for this Christmas is I do save all the little “flags” or pieces of paper too but a trick I recently discovered which helps to keep the amount of those down a little is to wrap as many of your large presents as you can first that way all the little scraps you have gotten from wrapping those can then be used to wrap the smaller ones. I can’t believe the difference it made this year in my leftover pile doing it this way. I actually have 4 smalls pieces left where usually I have a bunch.
My family puts bows on the tree after opening presents. We keep them in a large box with the wrapping paper. I am frugal so I wrap the top of shirt boxes and taped them closed. I’ve been using the same ones for 20 years.
The first year we used bows and my bil used bows instead of wrapping paper takes 8 bows to cover a GI joe tank.
The next year I attempted to use bows and the kitten used them all for toys.
Gave up bows as long as we have cats.
Just got a new kitten so no bows for a few more years.
The bags pillow cases come in are great for little toys I keep in a toy box for children when they come.
As Christmas cards arrive in the mail, I cut the return address label off the envelope and scotch tape it to the back of the Christmas card. This way, if a friend’s address has changed, I’ll have a record of it to put in my address book later. And if I’m late in sending out my own cards, I simply copy the addresses from these cards and respond to any notes inside at the same time.
I used the zipper bags to store all my holiday towels, table cloths, napkins.. they are handy to just put out and they stay clean and fresh thru the year..
and I love the popcorn tins.. I use them to store my holiday dishes, mugs and other holiday tableware that there is never a place for.. I then store them in the attic with the other holiday totes.. haven’t had a broken piece for years
I don’t use bows, anymore. I use “real ribbon”, not the plastic kind..I tie the bows, like a shoe lace. We save this ribbon, already cut & you would not believe the time this saves the next year, since most packages are the same size. I have been doing this for several years, now, & no one notices the difference. I get those big rolls of ribbon at our B.J.’s discount store, but Costco & Sam’s Club also sell it. In the long run, it is cheaper & it looks so “classy” & “high end”. Afterall..Tiffany uses real ribbon. ;)
Hi great ideas. I use the wider ribbon and only their one direction boy both like a cross. I also use my old cards and of off pieces and make tags out of them. I hole punch and tie raffia or twine and tape it on.
Above entry edited…tied one way across not both directions.
Years ago, I bought 2 of those long bins with trays. The rolls of wrap go into the bottom, the bows in 1 tray, the ribbons, tape, tags, etc. in the other. 1 bin is for Christmas wrap, the other is for other wraps. All the wrap is in one place.
I have tried many of the above ideas for storing bows. The best I have found is the plastic box that a car seat cover comes in. They do not crush and they fit nicely into the music keyboard box I have kept my wrapping in for over 10 years. Any long box about 8 inches deep will do but find one that will hold the long paper rolls as well. Bow boxes at each end and bags in the middle then throw in the misc. It sets up in the rafters or closet till next year. Merry Christmas