Hello!
I took down my Halloween mantle yesterday and decided someone out there might like to know how to store those cardstock bats (or any paper decorations).
I know, I know–it’s just paper. Why not throw it out and make new ones next year?
or:
What if you want to do something different next year? Why store it?
Well I am really big on recycling and I truly think it’s ridiculous to always have a fully brand new mantle year after year. Traditions are a good thing. They aren’t a ‘so last season’ moment.
I save elements year after year and sprinkle in new elements so it always has a fresh feel but with some familiarity.
So anyway.
How to Store Paper Decorations
So I carefully peeled all the bats off my mantle & wall:
Click the photo to go to the post where you can download the bat template for next year 
So I gathered my supplies and took the bats off the wall.
Supplies:
Manilla Folder
Cardstock (if your decorations are really heavy you need to have card-stock to stabilize it more)
Acetate sheets (these are some of those overhead projector sheets–you can find them here: 3M Transparency Film
Layer one acetate sheet in the manilla folder then stick your decorations on it (bonus: you can just peel them off and stick back on your mantle next year–same tape! woot!)
If you have more decorations than will fit on one sheet go ahead and layer another over and keep piling until you have all the decorations in the folder all sandwiched.
Make sure you put a transparency on the very top of the pile as a dust shield. Then close up your manilla folder.
The best part of this is that now you can file your decorations in your filing cabinets!
And!
Bonus tip!
I used tulle on my Halloween mantle and wanted to keep it for next year (since all I did was roll it out and cut a long length for the mantle).
So I wrapped it around an empty paper towel tube and stuck it in my box of Halloween decorations. 
All set for next year!
How do you store your decorations?
One last thing: On Monday I am hosting a Google + hangout live. gulp. 3pm est (12pst) I’ll be there showing your 5 placecard options for Thanksgiving. It shouldn’t be longer than 15 minutes so I hope you all will jump on and join me! (You do not need a Google + account to watch but if you do have an account I’d love it if you add me to your circles!)
I’m not the only one hosting a G+ hangout next week. There are lots of your favorite bloggers who are going to be having hangouts! Check out the line up & schedule/topics!
Have a happy day,
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Love this post! I hate the idea that decorations get thrown away when the season / holiday is over, great storage tips.
Amanda recently posted..Vintage Postcard Display ~ Celebrating Local History
Amanda, Thanks for visiting and commenting! I hate the idea of throwing decorations away too! I try very hard to decorate with what I already have from year to year to avoid that.
I think that’s great that you’re saving your decorations for next year. The mantle looked so good, and why be wasteful? Even if you choose to decorate a different way next year, you could use the bats for something else. Thanks for the template too!
Sage recently posted..Link Roundup: Thankful All Month
Sage, You are very welcome for the template! Thanks for stopping by and commenting!