How to Store Holiday Decorations

The holiday season is full of family, friends, and good food. But for many, a large part of getting into the festive spirit is decorating for the occasion. Between Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, and New Year’s Eve, there are ample opportunities to adorn your home with dramatic florals, ribbons, fir branches, ornaments, and cozy lighting.

Appreciating the merry décor is the best part, but if you dread storing your holiday decorations during the offseason (especially those bulky, sparkly fixtures), you’re not alone. And if you find yourself accumulating more and more holiday décor each year, again, you’re not alone. These tips will teach you how to store holiday decorations and maximize your storage space, saving your sanity in the process.

Separate and Label Seasonal Storage Bins

If you decorate for every occasion, consider organizing your décor by holiday. For example, keep your cute and creepy Halloween decorations separate from your Christmas wreaths and lights. It’s also helpful to label exactly what’s inside each storage bin to prevent confusion and maintain easy identification for the next time you decorate. 

Get Creative with Your Containers 

If you prefer to have lidded storage bins for your décor, that’s great! Go for it. But expensive containers are not a requirement for staying organized. You can repurpose old suitcases, trash cans, shoeboxes, or magazine racks for storing your gear. If you’re tight on space, hanging door storage is also a great option. When it comes to storing smaller, fragile ornaments, wrap them in newspaper or Bubble Wrap and store them in a repurposed empty egg carton or to-go drink container. 

Systematically Wrap Wreaths, Light Strands, and Garlands

Crushed wreaths and tangled twinkle lights are the worst, so do your best to neatly store your décor every year — it’s well worth the extra time. Wrap your lights around an old piece of cardboard or clothing hanger to keep them untangled and keep wreaths off the floor by hanging them on closet hooks or coat hangers. If you store your décor outside, secure any electronic decorations in plastic bags or air-tight containers to keep them safe from the elements. In this case, budget-friendly storage containers may be worth the investment to prevent pests from nesting.

Declutter Old Décor Items You No Longer Use

The average American spends $269 on holiday decorations each year, so if you have more décor than you know what to do with, it may be time to purge. Decluttering the old will minimize the amount that needs to go into storage, but it also keeps you organized so you know exactly what you do and don’t have. As a general rule of thumb, if you didn’t use or love a decoration this year, you probably won’t use it next year either. Out with the old and in with the new!

Before you deck the halls, review these precautions to ensure your home and family stay safe all season long.