The 5-Minute Photo Trick That Makes Decorating Next Christmas Easier
Want to know how to make holiday decorating easier next year? This tiny tip takes only minutes and sets you up for less stress, less guessing, and more magic next December.
Before you pack a single ornament or unplug the tree lights, do this:
1. Snap Photos of Your Favorite Holiday Setups
Your future self will love you for this.
Take 2 minutes, walk through your house, and grab quick phone photos of:
- Your Christmas mantel
- Any shelf styling
- Your tree (lights, ornament, ribbon placement)
- A table centerpiece or holiday bar cart
- A pretty moment in your entryway
- Any outdoor décor — like your front porch, planters, wreaths, or light setups
- Any setup you don’t want to forget next year
💡 Bonus Tip: Snap from the angle you usually see it — like walking into the room or sitting on the couch. That’s the view you’ll want to recreate next year.
Real-Life Example: The Spot That Drives Me Nuts
I have a narrow, awkward space above my kitchen cabinets that challenges me every December. The ceiling is low, the access is tricky, and the biggest battle? Getting the height of everything just right.
I end up propping up signs and trees with whatever I can find — wood scraps, coasters, upside-down Tupperware lids — all just to make things look like they belong up there.
Which is exactly why I always take photos of that space before packing it up.
That way, next year I can recreate the look (and the height hacks) in minutes instead of starting from scratch. No guesswork. No climbing on chairs wondering how I did it last time.
Why This Works
✅ No guessing how you styled it
✅ No digging through Pinterest boards
✅ No frustration when you almost remember what looked good
Next December?
Just pull up your phone, scroll back, and you’ve got a ready-to-go holiday decorating cheat sheet.
Love this idea? Keep it handy.
Email this to yourself so it’s ready when you are!
2. Save Them in a “Holiday 2025” Album
Create a simple folder in your phone’s photo app and label it:
🎄 Holiday Decorating 2025
Drop your favorites in there. Done and done.
Now you’ve got a decorating cheat sheet for next year’s style!
🍒 The Cherry on Top: Label What You Loved
Before you forget what worked (and what didn’t), take 3 minutes to jot down a few quick notes in your phone or planner. These tiny reminders will save you so much time next year.
- What color combos felt the most “you”?
- Which spaces got the most compliments?
- What didn’t get used — and could be donated or skipped next year?
- What needs to be replaced or fixed? (lights that burned out, a garland that fell apart, something you ran out of)
- What do you wish you’d had this year? (extra extension cords? gift wrap supplies? more stocking hooks?)
- Would you tweak the layout or flow of anything?
💡 Even 2–3 notes now can save you hours of overthinking later.
Just this one step can make next year’s decorating feel easier and more fun!
Ready to Take It One Step Further?
Snapping photos now is the perfect start. But if you’re ready to take it one step further, I’ve got two helpful next reads:
- Want to set yourself up for easier decorating next year?
Check out Organized Christmas Decorating — it’s all about grouping, labeling, and storing your items in a way that makes unpacking and decorating next year faster and way more fun. - Need clever, space-saving tricks for lights, garlands, ornaments, and bins? Head to Christmas Decoration Storage Hacks — it’s full of super practical tips to help you pack things away without the mess or stress.
- Ready to officially close the book on the holidays? I put together a New Year Home Reset with 10 tiny, feel-good tweaks that help your home feel calmer and more pulled together — no deep clean required.
✨ Still hosting this week?
You might also love my 10-Minute Holiday Hosting Reset Checklis. It’s a quick way to tidy up before guests arrive, without boxing up a single ornament.
