Holiday Storage Made Easy: Set Yourself Up for Next Year

The holidays are all fun and games until January hits and you’re staring at a living room full of glitter, fake pine needles, and tangled light strings. Whether you’re packing up Christmas, Halloween, or that giant skeleton that startled your neighbors for two straight months, smart storage now means a smoother start next year.

Here’s how to pack it all away without losing your mind, or your favorite ornaments.

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Step 1: Declutter Before You Store

Before you start tossing things into bins, take ten minutes to sort. Pull out broken ornaments, worn-out garlands, or decorations you never use. Be ruthless. Donate what’s still in good shape and recycle the rest.

Step 2: Choose the Right Containers

Clear bins (USA | Canada) are your best friend. They keep dust and moisture out and let you see what’s inside without opening twelve lids. 

For delicate items like ornaments or figurines, look for containers with dividers (USA | Canada). You can also reuse household items: egg cartons, paper towel rolls, plastic cups, or cardboard drink trays work perfectly for fragile décor.

If you have an artificial tree, use a sturdy tree storage bag (USA | Canada) to keep it protected and easy to move. For wreaths, wreath storage bags (USA | Canada) keep them clean, dust-free, and ready for next year. Wrapping paper storage bags (USA |Canada) keep all your wrapping paper, bows, cards, tape, etc. organized and at the ready year-round.

And yes, those giant inflatables (looking at you, 12-foot skeleton) deserve their own storage zone. Dry them completely, fold them carefully, and stash them in a heavy-duty bin with silica packets (USA | Canada) to prevent mildew.

Step 3: Label and Organize Smartly

Once everything is packed, label (USA | Canada) each bin clearly by holiday or category: “Halloween Outdoor,” “Thanksgiving Table,” “Christmas Lights,” and so on.

Stack heavier bins on the bottom, lighter ones on top, and keep your most-used holidays toward the front of your storage area.

Step 4: Store in the Right Place

Where you store your decorations matters as much as how you pack them. Avoid damp basements, attics that bake in the summer, or anywhere that’s prone to pests.

If possible, use a closet, under-bed space, or a shelf along an interior garage wall that stays relatively temperature-stable. Toss a few cedar blocks (USA | Canada) or moth traps (USA | Canada) into bins that contain linens or fabrics to keep things fresh.

Step 5: Make Take-Down Day Count

When you’re ready to pack everything away, clean as you go. Dust or wipe items before storing them so you’re not dealing with grime next year.

Check lights and cords for damage, toss anything frayed, and bundle strings of lights neatly with elastic bands, pieces of cardboard, or cord organizers (USA | Canada).

Step 6: Think Beyond Christmas

Holiday storage doesn’t stop in December. The same system works for every celebration: Valentine’s, Easter, Halloween, Thanksgiving, birthdays, even those inflatable skeletons and reindeer.

Keep décor sorted by season or event, and you’ll never dig through a pile of tinsel to find your Easter baskets again.

Step 7: Plan for Next Year

Once your bins are tucked away, take stock of what you might need next time. New lights, more hooks, or better wreath storage. Add those notes to your phone so you’re ready when the post-holiday sales hit.

Final Thought

The secret to staying sane after the holidays isn’t just cleaning up, it’s storing smart. When everything has a home and a label, decorating becomes fun again, not frustrating.

Future you will walk into storage next year, spot those clearly marked bins, and feel like an organizational superhero.

See all our favorite Holiday storage and organization tools: (USA | Canada)