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There’s something magical about unboxing Christmas each year. Hanging stockings, unwrapping your favorite ornaments, and lighting up the tree are always warm traditions. But once the season fades, those same joyful decorations can quickly turn into bulky boxes, tangled lights, and clutter that lingers long past the holidays.
With a little planning (and the right storage solutions), you can protect your favorite décor, keep your home feeling organized, and make next year’s decorating day feel effortless. Whether you’re stashing items neatly in a spare closet or relying on a storage unit for extra space, these Christmas storage ideas will help you tuck the season away with ease — and unwrap the magic all over again next year.
Tips for How to Store Christmas Decor
Before you choose where to store your holiday decorations, you’ll want to use smart packing methods to make things simple next year. Try these four key tips to keep your home decor safe and organized:
1. How to Store Ornaments
Most Christmas ornaments are breakable, so use extra caution when packing and storing them. Sort your ornaments by size, color, and fragility before putting them away.
Then, wrap all breakable pieces in tissue paper, bubble wrap, or soft cloths to protect them. Try to keep matching sets together.
Create DIY dividers in each large Christmas ornament storage box to keep pieces separated. Cardboard inserts and plastic cups work well for this. You can also find adjustable dividers online or in stores.
Always pack the heaviest ornaments at the bottom and place lighter ones on top. You don’t want extra-large ornaments falling in the storage tote and damaging the smaller ones.
Place everything in a labeled ornament organizer or plastic storage bin for easy finding next year. Make sure the bin has secure carry handles to avoid slippage.
2. How to Store Christmas Trees & Wreaths
Storing Christmas trees is a chore, but it doesn’t have to be. This step applies to artificial Christmas trees, since they can be stored long-term without problems. First, disassemble the tree before putting it in storage.
Wrap each tree section in plastic or soft cloth to keep dust at bay and reduce scratches. Store the tree using a Christmas tree storage bag to keep the branches in shape.
For Christmas wreaths, the storage process is a little easier. Hang your wreaths on hooks in your storage unit or basement. If you’re boxing them up, place them in separate wreath storage containers to maintain their shape. You can also buy special Christmas wreath storage bags if that’s more convenient.
Label each storage bag or container clearly, and group items by room or tree type for handy decorating next season.
3. How to Store Christmas Lights
It’s never fun to unbox Christmas lights, only to find that some of them don’t work or are all tangled up. To avoid this problem, test and untangle all Christmas lights before storing them.
Wrap each strand of lights around a sturdy reel, cardboard piece, or extension cord spool to prevent knots and tangles. Then, separate the strands into zip-top bags or small bins to keep them organized.
Store any spare bulbs and fuses in a tiny labeled pouch inside the same container. Stack all of the light bags and bins in a single, clearly labeled Christmas storage box.
4. How to Store Yard Decorations & Large Items
Deflate all inflatable decorations. Remove any stakes and fold the decorations as tightly as possible to save space.
You’ll also want to clean all outdoor decor before storing it to prevent dirt buildup and mold. Wipe away any excess moisture and allow wet items to dry before packing them up.
Secure all cords, anchors, and stakes in small labeled pouches with their matching decor pieces. Place any large figurines back in their original boxes or inside cushioned bins. For heavy or bulky items, use rolling bins or sliders to move them safely into storage.
Best Storage Containers for Holiday Decor
Once everything is sorted and wrapped, choosing the right container is key. These storage solutions protect your holiday items and help them last for years.
Clear Plastic Totes
Standard plastic totes are the go-to Christmas storage solution. They’re durable, moisture-resistant, and easy to stack to save space. The clear sides make the contents easy to identify, too.
Weatherproof Containers for Outdoor Items
Use weatherproof storage containers for things like lights, inflatables, extension cords, and any items that have been exposed to moisture. These heavy-duty bags and bins prevent water damage to the contents inside.
Specialty Holiday Organizers
Some holiday decor needs more protection than a standard storage bin. Use specialty Christmas storage containers for items like:
Ornament chests
Tree bags
Wreath boxes
Gift wrap organizers
Ribbon spools
Fragile collectibles like nutcrackers and inherited figurines
Garlands
Holiday gift bags
Tree stands
Specialized holiday decor storage bins protect delicate items better than all-purpose containers. They’re designed specifically to keep fragile contents safe and often come with reinforced handles for easy transportation.
Vacuum-Seal Bags
These are great for soft, bulky decor like tree skirts, stockings, and table linens. The vacuum seal mechanism removes extra air from each bag to give you more total storage space.
Best Places to Store Christmas Decorations in Your Home
With your decor packed up, the next step is deciding where it should live for the rest of the year.
Garage Storage
Use overhead racks, wall-mounted shelves, and ceiling hooks to store bins and wreaths. You don’t want your garage to become cluttered and hard to navigate. These solutions help prevent tripping and accidents as well.
Avoid storing extremely fragile or temperature-sensitive items in the garage. Outdoor temperature swings and humidity can degrade these items over time.
Attic Storage
The attic is ideal for lightweight, seasonal items that you only need once a year. It’s out of the way and doesn’t intrude on your normal decor. Use durable totes with tight lids to protect against dust and pests. Attics can also get pretty hot, so you may need to be cautious or seek other storage solutions for sensitive items.
Basement Storage
Your basement is perfect for heavy items and larger totes. Most people don’t typically use their basement year-round, so it’s a great spot for seasonal decor storage.
Choose moisture-resistant, airtight bins that don’t allow any mold or mildew to grow. Basements can be humid or flood, so make sure your items are protected in these scenarios.
While these areas work for some households, many people run out of space or want to protect their holiday decor from extreme temperatures and clutter.
Why Storage Units Are the Perfect Solution for Christmas & Holiday Decor
If your home storage areas are crowded or you want better protection from heat, humidity, and clutter, a storage unit can be the ideal long-term solution.
Keep Your Home Clutter-Free All Year
Storing Christmas decorations in a storage unit frees up valuable space in your closets, basement, attic, and garage. It also allows you to keep rarely used items without sacrificing your living space.
Protect Decorations From Damage
Climate-controlled storage units protect against heat, cold, humidity, dust, and pests. This makes them safer for delicate ornaments, family heirlooms, and electronics. If you have lights, inflatables, or Christmas projectors, a climate-controlled storage unit helps preserve their function and prevent electronic issues.
Store Bulky Items Easily
Some holiday decor is big and bulky, and you don’t want it lying around your house. Artificial Christmas trees, large yard inflatables, and outdoor displays all fit comfortably in the right-sized storage unit for your needs.
It’s easy to add shelving units to your storage unit to create organized aisles for simple navigation, too. That can save you a lot of time and stress next year.
Affordable & Accessible
You can get month-to-month pricing for storage units, which allows you to store decor only during the necessary months. Many locations offer drive-up access, so loading and unloading decorations is fast and convenient.
Rented storage units are often more affordable than expanding your in-home Christmas storage, which can require home renovations and expensive equipment.
Great for Other Seasonal Items Too
Storage units aren’t just great during “the most wonderful time of the year.” Besides Christmas decor, you can also store Halloween, Easter, and fall decorations.
Throw in other items like sports gear, winter equipment, patio furniture, and large outdoor items to maximize your storage unit’s value. Your unit can serve as one convenient place for everything seasonal.
Tips for Packing Holiday Decor for a Storage Unit
Use these helpful Christmas storage ideas to make packing and storing as easy as your favorite holiday pie:
Label all containers by room or type
Place frequently needed items in front
Use shelves to avoid stacking boxes and bins too high
Avoid storing candles or heat-sensitive items outside of climate-controlled storage units
Don’t forget to pack smaller items like Christmas gift wrap and ribbons
These holiday storage methods ensure you have a smooth, festive decorating experience every year.
Jingle All the Way…to Your Storage Unit
Smart holiday organization strategies make packing, storing, and accessing your holiday decor simple and stress-free. One of the most convenient Christmas storage ideas is to rent your own storage unit. These handy units help you maintain a cleaner, more functional home year-round. Consider renting one before the holiday clutter piles up again.
Ready to reclaim your space? A storage unit makes storing holiday decorations easier than ever. Find affordable self-storage near you from Storage Star today.
FAQs
What should I store in a storage unit vs. at home?
Store bulky items like artificial trees, large yard decorations, oversized lawn inflatables, and extra bins in a storage unit to free up space at home. Keep sentimental items, breakables, and anything sensitive to temperature changes inside your home or in a climate-controlled unit.
Can you store Christmas lights in the garage?
You can, but make sure they’re placed in weather-resistant containers. Extreme heat can cause plastic-coated wiring to become brittle, so if your garage gets hot in the summer, consider storing lights indoors or in a climate-controlled space.
How should you store outdoor Christmas yard decorations?
Clean them first, removing any dirt, leaves, or moisture. Once dry, pack them in large, durable plastic bins or heavy-duty bags. For inflatables, fold them gently and store them with their stakes and accessories in labeled containers. If they’re sensitive to temperature changes, keep them in a climate-controlled area. Since Christmas yard decorations are often bulky, a storage unit is the perfect way to keep them safe and protected year-round.
What’s the best way to store artificial Christmas trees?
Disassemble the tree, compress the branches upward, and store it in a tree storage bag or hard-sided container to protect it from dust, pests, and moisture. Keep it in a cool, dry area of your home or inside a storage unit. Avoid original cardboard boxes, as they deteriorate quickly and attract pests.
Should Christmas candles be stored a certain way?
Yes. Keep candles in a cool place to prevent melting or warping. Wrap each one in tissue paper or bubble wrap to avoid dents or scratches. Never store candles in the attic, garage, or other hot areas.
How do you keep Christmas lights from tangling?
Wrap each strand around a spool, piece of cardboard, or a specialized light reel. Place them in labeled bags or bins. This prevents tangling and extends the life of the lights.
How can you safely store wrapping paper?
Wrapping paper is sensitive to moisture and temperature changes, which can cause musty smells, mold, or warping. For the best wrapping paper storage, place your rolls, tissue paper, and gift bags in a dedicated gift wrap storage case. Then store it in a temperature-controlled area like a hallway closet, under the bed, or inside a climate-controlled storage unit to keep everything crisp, clean, and ready for next season’s gifting.
