How to Store Christmas Decorations

Knowing how to store Christmas decorations is what separates a calm, five-minute unboxing next December from a tangle of broken ornaments, knotted lights, and a tree that never quite fits back in its box. The holiday season is also when many homes feel their tightest: gifts arrive, guests stay over, and the decorations you already own compete for the same closet space. A little planning now keeps your favorite pieces safe, makes setup easier next year, and may even free up room in your home. Here is a practical, step-by-step approach.

Why proper holiday storage is worth the effort

Holiday decorations are a strange mix of cheap and priceless. The plastic reindeer might cost a few dollars, but the glass ornament your grandmother gave you cannot be replaced. Most damage happens in storage, not on the tree: heavy boxes stacked on fragile items, attics that swing from freezing to sweltering, damp garages, and loose lights wrapped around themselves.

Packing well solves most of it. The goal is simple: protect what is fragile, keep what is similar together, and make it obvious where everything lives.

Step 1: Declutter before you pack

The best time to edit your collection is while you are taking it down, when you remember what actually got used. Go room by room and sort decorations into three piles: keep, donate, and toss.

• Keep the pieces that carry meaning or that you reached for this year.
• Donate decorations that are in good shape but no longer fit your style. Thrift stores, community centers, and school craft programs often welcome them.
• Toss anything cracked, faded, or missing parts, along with strings of lights that no longer work.

Every item you remove is one less thing to wrap, label, and find space for.

Step 2: Gather the right supplies

Good storage starts with the right containers. Before you pack, pick up:

• Sturdy plastic bins with snap-on lids, which hold up better than cardboard in damp spaces
• Acid-free tissue paper or soft cloth for delicate pieces
• Bubble wrap for glass and heirlooms
• Dividers or egg-carton-style ornament organizers
• Painter's tape and a permanent marker for labels
• Zip-top bags for small parts, hooks, and stands

Uniform bins stack neatly, which matters later when you are fitting everything into a closet, garage, or storage unit.

Step 3: Pack ornaments so they survive the year

Ornaments are the most likely casualty, so give them the most care.

1. Wrap each fragile ornament individually in tissue paper or soft cloth.
2. Use dividers so ornaments don't touch each other. Compartmentalized ornament boxes make this easy.
3. Put heavier ornaments on the bottom of the bin and lighter ones on top.
4. Keep the hooks with their ornaments by tucking them into the same wrapping, or bag them separately and label the bag.
5. Fill empty spaces with crumpled paper so nothing shifts when the bin is moved.

For heirloom pieces, give them their own box, label it clearly, and store it where nothing heavy will be stacked on it.

Step 4: Tame your holiday lights

Nobody enjoys untangling lights on a cold December afternoon. Avoid it with a little structure.

• Test every strand before you pack it, and discard the ones that fail.
• Wrap each strand around a piece of sturdy cardboard, a flat plastic holder, or a hanger, tucking the plug and end into a slot so they don't unravel.
• Keep strands of the same type together, such as all outdoor lights in one bin and all indoor lights in another.
• For net lights and curtain lights, fold or roll them gently rather than stuffing them in.

A quick label such as "outdoor white, 100-count" saves you from guessing next year.

Step 5: Store your artificial tree the right way

If you have an artificial tree, the original box is great if it survived. If it did not, there are better options than a bag that squeezes the branches.

• Fold branches inward and bind them loosely with a wide strap or soft ties.
• Use a dedicated tree bag or a tall plastic bin with a lid, which keeps out dust and moisture.
• Store it upright or on its side in a spot with room around it so branches are not crushed.
• Keep the stand and any hardware in a labeled bag taped to the tree or placed inside the bag.

Pre-lit trees deserve extra care. Avoid compressing the wiring more than necessary, and keep the tree away from heat and damp.

Step 6: Don't forget wreaths, garlands, and fragile village pieces

Wreaths keep their shape best in wreath boxes or large flat containers. If you do not have one, a clean pillowcase or a large plastic bag hung from a closet rod or a hook works in a pinch. Garlands can be loosely coiled and stored in a bin, while ceramic villages and nativity sets do best when each piece is wrapped separately and placed back into its original foam or compartment box.

Step 7: Label like you are writing a note to next year's you

A few extra seconds of labeling saves minutes of searching. Write on the outside of every bin, not just the lid, since lids are often hidden when bins are stacked. Include:

• The category, such as "Tree ornaments" or "Outdoor lights"
• The room it belongs in, if that helps
• A quick note if the contents are fragile

Keep a simple inventory on your phone or taped inside one lid, especially if you have many bins. It makes it easy to see what you own before you buy more.

Step 8: Choose where to store everything

Where you keep your holiday bins matters as much as how you pack them.

Closets and under-bed spaces work well for a small collection, as long as they are dry and cool.

Attics and garages are convenient but often have large temperature swings and moisture problems. Heat can warp plastic and soften glue, cold can make glass brittle, and damp can ruin cardboard, paper, and fabric.

A storage unit can be the cleanest solution when your collection has outgrown the house. At Purely Storage, you can choose from a range of unit sizes, so you can match the space to your collection. Our household storage options are a good fit for seasonal items, and many locations offer drive-up access, which makes loading and unloading bins much easier. Not sure what size you need? Our storage unit size guide can help you estimate, and a small unit is often plenty for bins of decorations, a tree, and other seasonal gear.

If you have vintage ornaments, delicate fabrics, or items that react badly to heat and cold, consider asking about climate-controlled storage at your nearest location.

Step 9: Use the off-season to free up space at home

Many people discover that once the decorations are gone, the garage or closet is still crowded. Holiday storage is a great time to reset the whole space. Move seasonal bins to a more efficient spot, and consider putting other rarely used items, such as out-of-season clothing, camping gear, and sports equipment, in the same place. Keeping all of your seasonal gear together makes it easy to swap items in and out as the year goes on. Our storage tips page has more ideas for organizing a unit.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best container for Christmas decorations?

Plastic bins with secure lids are the best all-around choice because they resist moisture, stack well, and protect against dust and pests. Use specialty boxes with dividers for ornaments and a tall bin or tree bag for trees.

Can I store Christmas decorations in the garage or attic?

You can, but it is not ideal. Both spaces often see big swings in temperature and humidity, which can damage glass, wax, plastic, and paper. If you do use them, choose sturdy lidded bins and avoid placing fragile items directly on concrete floors.

How do I keep Christmas lights from tangling?

Test them first, then wrap each strand around a piece of cardboard, a flat plastic reel, or a hanger, and secure the ends. Store strands of the same type together and label the bin.

What size storage unit do I need for holiday decorations?

For a typical household, a small unit is often enough for a few bins, a tree, and some seasonal gear. If you also plan to store other seasonal items, a medium-sized unit gives you room to stay organized. The size guide is the easiest way to compare.

Are there items I should not store?

Hazardous or perishable items are not allowed in storage units. That includes things like flammable liquids, and it also means you should not pack any food or candy in your decoration bins.

Make next December easier

A little organization now turns holiday setup into a pleasure instead of a project. If your home is running out of room for decorations, find a Purely Storage location near you and reserve a unit that fits your collection.