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The holidays are magical, but let’s be honest—unpacking and packing the decorations can be a real chore. Nothing is worse than trying to find that special ornament that seems to have walked away! The good news is that a little planning now can make next year’s decorating much easier (and way less stressful). Here are some simple tips to help you store your Christmas decor like a pro!
1. Declutter Before You Store
Start by sorting through your decorations. Is there a strand of lights that stopped working last year? Or maybe you have ornaments you haven’t used in years? Toss or donate anything you don’t love or need. Keeping only what you truly enjoy will save you storage space and simplify things next time around.
2. Invest in the Right Storage Solutions
The right tools can make a big difference! Try ornament boxes with dividers to protect fragile pieces and wreath bags to keep greenery from getting squished. If you prefer plastic storage bins, clear bins are perfect for easy visibility. Don’t forget to label everything—future you will thank you.
These are some of my favorite storage solutions! These ornament containers have customizable dividers to fit any ornament or decor. My favorite wreath storage bags – I can fit 2-3 wreaths in each bag. I put all my Christmas trees in bags. Utilizing one bag for multiple smaller trees helps save space. To keep the tree sections organized, label them with painters tape or a colored string or ribbon. You can assign each tree its own color so it is easy to sort the parts when it is time to unpack them.
3. Protect Your Decorations
Fragile ornaments deserve extra care. Wrap them in tissue paper, bubble wrap, or even leftover gift wrap. String lights? Skip the tangled mess by wrapping them around cardboard or a spool.
Some of my favorite items to protect fragile ornaments are foam pouches, bubble wrap bags, and honeycomb packing paper. These Christmas light storage bags are great to store multiple strands of lights.
4. Organize by Zones or Themes
Do you decorate specific rooms or use different themes? Store your items accordingly! Group ornaments and decor by theme, tree or room. This makes it easy to decorate one room at a time without pulling out all your decor searching for the pieces you need. Be sure to label each container clearly so you can grab exactly what you need. These labels are great if you want to keep an inventory on the outside of each box. These labels are large and you can use the label colors to group themes.
5. Use Smart Storage Spaces
Think outside the box—literally! Use under-bed storage for smaller items or hang wreaths, tree skirts and stockings on hooks in a closet. If you’re storing bins in the garage or attic, make sure they’re on sturdy shelving to avoid chaos (and crushed decorations).
6. Keep a Digital Inventory
Snap a quick photo of your decorations before you take them down—it’s a lifesaver when you want to recreate this year’s look. You can even create a digital spreadsheet of what’s in each bin and where it’s stored. Label your bins to match your list, and voilà—instant organization.
Conclusion
Packing up your Christmas decorations doesn’t have to be a headache. With a little thought now, you’ll be set for a stress-free start to the holidays next year. Plus, an organized system means more time to enjoy the magic of the season and less time wrestling with tangled tinsel.
Do you have any smart storage tips to share? Let me know in the comments—I’d love to hear your ideas!
