Ask the Organizer: China Storage

I often receive emails from readers with specific organizing dilemmas, so I've decided to start sharing my answers with all of you fabulous readers.

Dear Beth, I have a ton of Christmas dishes and glasses, and every year I struggle with how to store them. I usually wrap them individually in newspaper, and store them in boxes, but doing this for each individual piece is just too tedious. Do you have any suggestions?


Dishes
Quilted china boxes don't just have to be for your finest pieces. The quilted items are a little investment, but definitely worth the time saved by not wrapping with tissue paper. Try something like the photo above, or this...
Or if you are on a budget, use a regular box with paper plates (or foam) in between each regular plate, and coffee filters in between salad plates. Once all of the dishes are in, stuff newspaper or tissue around the edges for a tight fit (note: this is for storing, not packing for a move).
Wine Glasses
Glasses are tricky, and if you want to avoid individual wrapping, these compartmentalized containers are perfect!
Too pricey? UPS and other specialty stores offer cardboard cell boxes that are reasonably priced. Also check your local liquor store for free cell boxes.

Silver
If you have flatware that is in fact real silver, I highly recommend investing in a silver chest. Most have a tarnish-preventative lining that will save you a little time in the polishing department. Storing silver in plastic, newspaper, or wrapped with rubber bands will only increase the likelihood of tarnishing.



Have a pretty teapot to store? Place it in a small box, cover the spout with a TP roll to avoid nicks and dings, and wrap the top separately. And Voila! Easy storage that you won't mind packing (and re-packing) year after year.
**All storage items can be found at organize.com