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First of all, congrats on surviving the holiday madness! You deserve a trophy (or at least a nap 😄)!
I’ll be honest – up until this year, my Christmas decoration storage was a total mess. I had random boxes scattered in closets, no real system, and every year, I’d do the annual “Where did I put the tree topper?!” panic search. Sound familiar?
Here’s the thing: holiday decorations seem to multiply every year. And since I live in an apartment with no garage or basement to stash stuff, I knew I had to figure out a smarter way to store everything. So, I did some deep research (a.k.a. endless Googling), and came up with an organization system that makes it easy to find exactly what I need next year.
So whether you have tons of decorations or are just starting to build your collection, I’ve got you covered. Let me share some genius ideas and tips on how to store Christmas decorations like a pro.
So let’s dive in and make next year’s decorating a breeze!
There are tons of options for storing ornaments. One option is, of course, to keep them in their original packaging, but let’s be honest – it’s not the most convenient way.
That’s why there are so many different storage options, like special boxes, containers, ornament bags, and trays. Prices can be all over the place, too, so it’s easy to feel overwhelmed about which one to pick, right?
Opaque storage boxes might look neat, but there’s one big downside: you can’t see what’s inside. This means you’ll end up opening and digging through them every time you need something!
I did some research and discovered that the most helpful solution is using clear, see-through storage. This way, you can easily see what’s inside without any guesswork.
So this one factor immediately ruled out a bunch of options on the market for me, even the fancier ones. Because it’s so much more convenient to see what’s inside rather than going through the hassle of opening and digging through each box every time, right?
With see-through boxes and containers, you can instantly see what’s inside – no need to open and dig around.
They’re perfect for keeping everything organized and saving time when it’s time to decorate again.
Tip: If you already have opaque boxes for your holiday decor and find it inconvenient not being able to see what’s inside, don’t worry!
Stick with me, because I’m going to share a really cool trick to easily know what’s inside – even if your boxes aren’t see-through!
For myself, I bought clear storage bins in different sizes. I got a few 72-quart bins and several smaller ones of 32 quarts.
There are also larger sizes available (for example 113 quarts), they’re a great option to keep in mind if you have a lot of decorations. If I had more decor or storage space, I’d definitely consider those big bins too.
I did some research, because, let’s be honest, there are tons of clear storage bins out there, and some can get pretty pricey. So I ended up choosing bins from the Hefty brand.
As of the day I’m writing this blog post, these bins are some of the most budget-friendly options I could find. Plus, since Hefty is a well-known brand, you can find them almost everywhere – Target, Walmart, Amazon, Home Depot, Lowe’s, At Home, and more.
This was a big deal for me because, as my decor collection grows and I need more bins, I want them all to kind of match. I’d rather not have my storage look like a mishmash of different containers. So in my opinion, they’re great value for the price.
So my first large bin I used to store garlands and wreaths.
Storing shatterproof ornaments is a no-brainer, but delicate glass ornaments need extra care. That’s why you’ll want separate storage with dividers or wrapping to keep them safe.
I chose my second large bin with special cardboard dividers specifically for storing my glass ornaments.
The dividers in my bin aren’t adjustable, which is a bit of a downside since adjustable ones would be more versatile.
So I used the dividers for my larger glass ornaments, and for the smaller ones, I kept them in the original plastic cells (the ones that usually come with the packaging).
If needed, you can even cut these plastic sections to fit perfectly inside the bin, which is super handy. But I simply placed them at the top of the bin, and they fit perfectly.
I don’t have many glass ornaments yet, so half the bin was still empty. But looking ahead, I’m happy knowing there’s already space for more glass ornaments in the years to come!
For smaller bins, consider sorting your shatterproof ornaments by color – it’s one of the most convenient ways to keep them organized and easy to find.
If, like me, you don’t have many decorations in each color yet, you can group them by type for now.
For example, I have one bin almost full of white ornaments, another with pine cones and natural-textured ornaments, and a third holding all my glittered ornaments.
As your collection grows, transitioning to a color-coded system will make storage and decorating so much easier!
For storing light strings, I got these special lights holders.
I know there are plenty of options for storing Christmas lights, including storing it without any special tools by winding them around a piece of cardboard or simply rolling them on your hand.
But I think these holders are incredibly convenient. They come with built-in hooks to secure the ends of cords, they’re lightweight, and they have handy handles. Plus, they’re very affordable, which is a big bonus. You can also use them to store not just Christmas lights but any other strings, wires, or beads.
I store my lights in one of my clear bins, so I can easily see what’s inside. And when I need a particular set of lights, I can quickly find and grab it.
Compared to fancy storage bags, which don’t let you see what’s inside and might take up more space, I think these holders are a better option.
Storage bags with reels are another popular option for organizing Christmas lights.
While they can be convenient for some, I personally prefer holders because they save space and let me see what’s inside at a glance.
Alright, let’s move on to the next category of decor that also needs organization and convenient storage: wrapping paper, ribbons, and other gift packaging supplies.
There are so many creative ways to store wrapping paper. I’ve seen people use garment bags to hang rolls in the closet or repurpose Ikea plastic bag dispensers to hold them. There are countless inventive methods out there!
But I found an organizer that I think is fantastic. It’s very spacious, holding up to 24 paper rolls, and it’s a great all-in-one solution for keeping everything in one place.
It has a special compartment for ribbons, which was important for me because I have quite a few. Plus, it includes pockets for gift bags, tissue paper, and all the small essentials like bows, labels, tape, scissors, and more – super convenient!
Before storing the ribbons, I make sure to secure each roll so they don’t unravel, using either sewing pins or rubber bands.
Sources: 1. Ball Head Dressmaker Pins (600 pcs) 2. Rubber Bands Assorted Sizes
As you can see, my organizer is only half full, so I already have room for future additions to my collection in the years ahead. Without it, all this paper and ribbon would take up way too much space in my closet, and dealing with a bunch of small, unorganized items would just be a hassle.
With this organizer, I can simply slide everything under the bed, freeing up valuable closet space. I really like it and can definitely recommend it!
The last item I purchased for my Christmas decor storage was a Christmas tree storage bag.
To be honest, I debated for a while whether I really needed it, since I used to store all my Christmas trees in their original boxes. But for my new tree, I decided it was worth the investment.
Firstly, trying to squeeze a fully fluffed-up Christmas tree back into its original box is always a struggle. Every time you try, there’s a risk of damaging the tree. Plus, it takes extra time every year to fluff it out again after squashing it into the box.
Secondly, cardboard doesn’t protect your tree from moisture or dust as well as a good-quality storage bag.
And lastly, it’s just more practical to store a tree in a bag. It takes up less space than the original box and usually comes with sturdy handles and wheels, which are super handy.
There are many different Christmas tree storage bags on the market right now. But after doing some research, I found that it’s best to avoid thin plastic bags that aren’t sturdy.
Instead, look for a bag made from thick, durable fabric with buckle straps. These straps help keep the tree secure and allow you to adjust the bag to fit the tree’s size.
I found my bag on Amazon, and it’s very sturdy. It also has both interior and exterior buckles, which makes it super convenient. Plus, it comes with wheels, so you don’t have to lift a heavy tree.
Tip: When buying a Christmas tree storage bag, keep in mind that the price can vary by color.
You might be able to save some money by choosing a less popular color.
Now that everything is packed, I’m so excited to share with you a brilliant method to quickly and easily see what’s inside your storage boxes – even if they’re not transparent!
Look, most people label their boxes in some way – writing directly with a marker, sticking on special labels, or using painter’s tape for convenience. Some even take pictures, print them, and attach them to their boxes.
And while all these methods work fine, using QR codes takes it to the next level!
So here’s how you can set it up:
Start by creating a dedicated folder in Google Drive for all your Christmas decor. You can also create separate folders for other decor or items you store. For example, I named mine “Christmas Decor.”
Inside this folder, organize it however works best for you. You can create subfolders, upload files, or keep everything in one place – it doesn’t matter. The important part is that you’ll generate a link for each folder or file.
Take clear photos of everything you put in each box. You can:
To make collages, I use Canva because it’s simple and user-friendly.
Upload your photos, arrange them freely, or use grids for a more polished look. Once the collage is ready, upload it to your Google Drive folder.
Right-click on the file or folder in Google Drive and select “Share”. Choose the “Get Link” option and copy it.
This link will be used to create your QR code.
Use any free QR code generator. I used QR Code Generator – it’s a great option recommended by Google.
Simply paste your link into the generator and download the QR code.
You can print the QR codes immediately, but if you have several codes, you might want to organize them. Here’s how:
Print the sheet on regular paper and attach the QR codes with tape, or use sticker paper for a professional finish.
With a simple scan of a QR code, you can instantly see what’s inside each box without opening it or taking it off the shelf.
Even with clear storage, it can be hard to see what’s in the middle of a large bin. And if you have many bins on multiple shelves, this method saves you from unnecessary lifting, moving, and rummaging.
So I think it’s definitely worth the extra 5 minutes of your effort!
I hope these ideas help make packing up your holiday decorations a little easier and way more organized. There is always a way to figure out how to store Christmas decorations in a way that works for you – and maybe even spark some joy next year when it’s time to decorate again!
Now it’s your turn! What are your favorite tips or tricks for how to store Christmas decorations? Do you have a go-to method or a clever hack you swear by? I’d love to hear from you, so drop a comment below and share your ideas!
Happy organizing! 😊
If you’re already dreaming about next year’s holiday decor, you’ve got to check out my post on Christmas decor trends for next year!
It’s packed with fresh ideas to keep your holiday style on point.
From timeless classics to modern must-haves, we’ve got it all covered.
I’m Oksana and I love paper flowers and all things paper. Here at FancyBloom I design new flower templates, make paper flower tutorials, and share my ideas and inspiration for fancy and modern craft.
