The last present has been unwrapped, the final cookie consumed, and you can’t stand to hear one more holiday song. You know what that means: It’s time to tackle the bittersweet task of taking down the Christmas tree. If you’ve ever spent an entire afternoon accidentally building a ball of knots, consider this end-of-season cheer:…
This hack keeps your lights neat, compact, and blissfully organized until next season. Your future self will thank you.
How To Wind Lights on Hangers
Instead of pulling an entire strand of lights off the tree, wrap it around a hanger as you take it off branch by branch. Start at the plug end and wind the strand around the hanger — narrow end to wide end, then back again. Think of it like wrapping a hose around a reel.
Keep gentle tension on the strand as you wrap; this ensures the lights lie flat and prevents loops from slipping off. Once you’ve wrapped an entire strand, secure the last few inches by tucking them under a wrapped section or looping them around the hanger’s hook. The result is a tidy, portable bundle of lights that won’t morph into a knotted mess over the next 11 months.
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Where To Store the Hangers
Your newly wrapped hangers can hang on a closet rod, making them easy to store. If you have space to spare in a coat closet or guest bedroom wardrobe, group all of your light bundles together to free up valuable floor space. Then, whenever you decide to decorate again, simply grab a hanger, head to the tree, and unwind the strand with ease. Your tree will be glowing before you know it — no detangling sessions required.
Before storing your light bundles, label each hanger by wrapping a piece of masking tape around its neck. Quick identifiers, such as “tree lights” or “outdoor garland,” will ensure you know which set goes where next December. This means no more guesswork — just effortless holiday magic.
