How to Manage Holiday Decor this Season
Holidays shouldn't be stressful. Once we declutter and only keep things we love, organizing it and decorating is actually fun!
10/15/20263 min read
10 Ways to Manage Holiday Decor Storage (So Next Year’s Setup Is Actually Easy)
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Taking down holiday decorations is nobody’s favorite chore. It’s tempting to cram everything into a box, shove it in the garage, and deal with it next November. Then next November comes, and you’re untangling lights, hunting for the missing tree stand, and finding that your favorite ornament didn’t survive.
A little organization now saves a lot of frustration later. Here are 10 ways to store holiday decor so it stays protected, easy to find, and easy to set up again.
1. Declutter Before You Pack
Storage space is limited, so don’t spend it on things you don’t love. As you take decor down, make three piles: keep, donate, and toss. If you didn’t put it out this year, or it’s broken or faded, let it go. You’ll end up with fewer boxes and a collection you actually enjoy.
2. Use Clear, Stackable Bins
Clear bins let you see what’s inside without opening every lid. Look for sturdy, stackable ones with latching lids, which keep out dust, moisture, and pests. Uniform bins also stack neatly and make better use of vertical space. I also recommend color coding holiday bins with a different lid (red or green, for example). I love these ones here.
3. Label Everything (Twice)
Put a label on the top and the side of each bin so you can read it however it’s stacked. Be specific: “Christmas Tree Ornaments” is more helpful than “Holiday Stuff.” For extra credit, add a photo of the contents or a quick inventory list on the lid. You can use a label maker if you have one, hand write it or get these labels here (specifically if you have a lot of different holiday decor)
4. Invest in Ornament Storage
Ornaments are the most fragile and sentimental part of most collections, so they deserve real protection. Boxes with individual dividers keep each piece from bumping into the next. For heirloom ornaments, wrap each one in acid-free tissue paper before it goes in a compartment. I would recommend this one here.
5. Tame the Tangled Lights
Few things are more frustrating than a knotted string of lights. A few easy fixes:
Wrap lights around a piece of cardboard, a cord reel, or a dedicated light storage organizer like this one here
Secure the plug end to the spool so it stays put
Store each spool in its own labeled section so you can grab the right set
I swear, this is life changing!!
6. Protect Your Tree
Whether yours is artificial or you keep a tree skirt and stand, a good storage bag like this one here or tree box protects it from dust and crushed branches. A rolling tree storage bag is a lifesaver if you have to move it up and down stairs. Store the stand and any hardware in a small labeled bag taped to the tree bag, so you never hunt for it again.
7. Use Vertical Space
Garages, closets, and basements usually have unused wall and ceiling space. Heavy-duty shelving units keep bins off the floor and visible, and overhead ceiling racks hold lightweight, seasonal items like wreaths. Putting holiday decor up high leaves the easy-to-reach spots for things you use every week. Adding a garage ceiling overhead storage rack like this one here, makes such a difference!
8. Give Wreaths and Garlands Their Own Home
Wreaths are awkward to store, and they’re easily crushed in a regular bin. Hard-sided wreath containers or zippered wreath bags keep their shape. Garlands can be loosely coiled and stored in a long under-bed container or a dedicated garland bag. You can reuse those comforter/bed sheet set bag or get something like these bags here, which are great for wreaths and garlands!
9. Store Under the Bed or Behind Closet Doors
If you’re short on storage, make use of overlooked spots. Flat, lidded under-bed containers are perfect for wrapping paper, gift bags, table runners, and flat décor. Over-the-door organizers can hold small items like bows, ribbons, tags, and tape, so your wrapping supplies stay in one place. I always recommend this organizer here for gift wrapping that can be easily stored under the bed.
10. Create a “First Out, Last In” System
Think about what you’ll need first next year, and pack so that it’s on top. Lights and the tree usually go up before anything else, so they should be the most accessible. Keep a simple master list on your phone or taped inside a bin listing what’s stored where and how many boxes you have. It makes decorating next year noticeably faster, and it makes it obvious if something goes missing.
Holiday Season Shouldn't be Stressful
You don’t need a perfect system, just one that makes sense to you. Start with one or two of these ideas this season, like clear bins and a good labeling habit, and build from there. Future you will be grateful when decorating day rolls around and everything is exactly where you left it.