Storing Christmas Lights

Often Christmas light come crammed in little boxes that will never again hold them.  I bought more lights this year, so I thought I would show you my solution for keeping them tangle free:

Take one of those many corrugated boxes that are left from the holidays and
cut out a nice square that is strong and not bending.  You want it to be pretty
 solid.  Mine are about 15x10 but they can be a little longer or shorter.  Be sure
they are  not so long that they bend, though.  Then cut two slits about
2-1/2 inches long on each end.

Now fold those center flaps you made under on each side.  I don't cut them off
because I don't want to chance weakening the edge pieces.
The edges will keep the lights from falling off the board.  You certainly
could cut them if you prefer it.

Cut a small slit into one of the uncut long sides, and slide the beginning of the
light string in it.

Now start rolling in that center cut section.  Just walk around the tree and roll as
you go.  You can fit quite a bit on.  

Once it's full, make another small cut in the side and slide in the end piece.  I
have it marked with"start" to make it easier to know where to begin unwinding when hanging
lights the next year.

They may look bulky, but they unroll easily.  When I'm putting the lights on the tree,
I unroll  a bit and stick the cardboard piece between the branches until I'm ready for more.
Hopefully this will make the "undecorating" just a bit easier for you!