Un-Deck the Halls: Tips for Storing Holiday Decorations Like a Pro!

What goes up must come down – and that includes the twinkling holiday decorations that lighted our way through the holidays. Many of us make a significant investment in our holiday décor, and we can protect that investment by storing it well. We’ve got you covered! Here are some smart tips on how to store your holiday decorations to protect your investment, keep them looking fantastic, make them easier to set up next year, and maybe impress your friends. Let’s go! 

Storage tip 1 – Store similar things together 

The first organizing principle in my book is to store similar things together, but the term “similar” might vary from situation to situation. If your holiday decorations are straightforward, with one tree, one wreath, some dishes, a family of stockings, and a few things sitting around, “similar” means ornaments, candles, gift wrap, lights, etc. 

If you have a more involved holiday decorating plan with multiple trees and a holiday vignette in each room, “similar” will mean something totally different. In this case, store the decorations for each room together. This will make decorating next year much easier and save you a lot of steps. 

Always use plastic containers with labels. Handheld label makers create tiny little labels. For an easy-to-create and easy-to-change labeling method, use colored painter’s tape with a black marker to indicate the contents. 

One last thought on storage: While it isn’t necessary, it is helpful to use a bin of a dedicated type or color for holiday decorations. This will tell you from a distance that the contents are holiday décor. 

Storage tip 2: Wrap fragile items

For delicate decorations like glass ornaments, fragile figurines, or heirloom pieces, instead of trying to store them in bulky boxes from the manufacturer, wrap them carefully with white tissue paper to prevent damage during storage. Using white tissue paper doesn’t take up a lot of room or transfer color to the ornaments while in storage. Bubble wrap is overkill and can double the space needed to store your decorations. 

Another option is a special ornament storage container with individual openings to protect each ornament. These containers are usually expensive, so save them for heirloom, very expensive, or precious ornaments instead of plain glass balls. 

Store string lights wrapped around a storage reel. These little reels are inexpensive and work better than trying to repurpose something like a cardboard insert from a toilet paper roll. Seriously. 

Storage tip 3: Store artificial trees properly

Yep, there is a right way and a wrong way to store artificial trees. Here is a news flash: the box the tree came in from the manufacturer is not intended for long-term storage. Sorry, not sorry.

Artificial trees can take up a lot of space; they are bulky and heavy, making them especially challenging to store well. To protect them from dust, moisture, and damage, invest in a tree storage bag or box specially designed for artificial trees. 

Oh yeah, if that isn’t enough, you have to clean it, too. Before storing your artificial Christmas tree at the end of the season, gently dust each branch with a soft brush or use a handheld vacuum with a brush attachment, then wipe down the stand and trunk with a damp cloth to remove any residue. 

Storage tip 4: Utilize under-bed storage

Not all holiday decorations are suited for storage in a garage, attic, basement, or storage unit. Candles, heirloom, or other temperature-sensitive decorations can be stored under a bed. This keeps them in a moderate environment but out of the way.  Use flat, shallow containers (not storage bags!) to keep decorations organized and easily accessible. Under-bed storage is also perfect for items like wrapping paper or gift bags.

Special note: Do not store them under your bed. Store them under a guest bedroom bed. Your personal space is reserved for your personal things. 

Storage tip 5: Create a dedicated storage area

Creating a dedicated storage area for your holiday decorations keeps everything in one place and makes it easy to access and put away each season. The dedicated storage area could be an area of your garage, attic, storage closet, or even a spare room closet, as long as it is designated for holiday decor storage. Invest in shelves, hooks for wreaths, and bins to maximize space and keep your decorations organized throughout the year.

Tip 6: Evaluate and declutter 

Before storing your holiday decorations this year, look at what you have and declutter anything that you did not use or love. Donate or discard anything that doesn’t make the cut. This will reduce your storage volume and keep it manageable. Keeping only the decorations that you love will make decorating next year even more meaningful and enjoyable.

Storing holiday decorations takes intention, but it doesn’t have to be daunting. Hopefully, with these tips for organized decoration storage, you can enjoy your decorations for years to come and help make next year’s setup more special. With a bit of planning and some smart storage, you will be well on your way to becoming a holiday decoration storage pro. Here’s a toast to stress-free decorating and beautiful decorations for many holidays to come! Cheers to having the most organized holiday storage on the block!