15 Christmas Decoration Storage Hacks to Simplify Cleanup
Well, friends, it’s that bittersweet time of year when the magic of Christmas makes way for… the mess, the cleanup, the Christmas decoration storage. Eek!
But don’t worry, I’ve got your back with some of my favorite (and super doable) tips to make holiday cleanup easier, faster, and a lot less stressful.
Trust me, your future self will thank you when next Christmas rolls around, and you’re not staring at a jumble of tangled lights and broken ornaments!
Grab a coffee (or that leftover Christmas cocktail!), and let’s get this cleanup party started.
1. Take Photos Before You Start (A Must for Christmas Decoration Storage)
Listen, this tip changed my life. Before you start pulling down greenery and packing up ornaments, take photos of your decor. Why? Because next December (or November), when your memory of exactly how you styled your mantel or tree is a little fuzzy, you’ll have your photos to guide you.
I’m telling you, snapping those pics will save you so much time and decision fatigue next year. Want more tips to decorate in a way that feels organized and stress-free?
Check out my post on my Biggest Tips for Organized Christmas Decorating Next Year— make sure to read this BEFORE you undecorate this year!
2. If You Don’t Love It, Let It Go
A rule to live by: if you didn’t use it this Christmas or the one before, it’s time to say goodbye. Why keep something that just takes up space and collects dust? Donate it, gift it, or toss it—it’s like giving yourself permission to love your decor even more.
3. Don’t Store It Broken
Let’s get real. You’re not going to fix that broken ornament or those tangled lights next year. If something’s beyond repair (or not worth the hassle), let it go now. On the flip side, if it is worth saving, fix it before you pack it away. No one wants to deal with bits and pieces of broken decor next year.
4. Be a Light-Wrapping Pro
Tangled lights are the worst. My go-to trick? Wrap them around a cord saver, a sturdy piece of cardboard, a notched piece of 2”x4” wood, or even an old coffee can. When December rolls back around, your lights will be ready to roll (or, you know, glow).
5. Label Everything Like a Boss
Labels are my holiday cleanup love language. Use a label maker, painter’s tape, or even a good ol’ Sharpie to clearly mark your bins. My go go-to is using white Avery shipping labels – either print on them or simply write on them with your Sharpie.
Trust me, future you will be so grateful when you’re not playing a game of “What’s in this box?” next year. Or…. when you inevitably come across a piece of Christmas décor in a couple weeks that you missed during cleanup! Happens to me. Every. Year.
6. Pack by Room or Theme
Consider this an essential step for Christmas decoration storage!
It’s my favorite tip because it makes unpacking so much easier. I pack all my holiday decor by room—living room, dining room, kitchen, etc.—so when it’s time to decorate next year, everything’s already grouped and ready to go. Just make sure to label accordingly, too!
7. Organize by Color
If you follow my blog, you know I love decorating with a specific color palette, and I fully embrace it!
If you do too, try packing your decor by color. Put all your silver and gold pieces in one bin, your reds and greens in another. For me, I’ve got a blue ornament bin. This kind of Christmas decoration storage makes it so easy to stick to your favorite palette—or switch things up if you’re feeling adventurous.
While you’re thinking about color palettes, why not start dreaming about next year’s look? Check out my Coastal Christmas Decor: 3 Holiday Color Palettes for dreamy ideas or dive into Sage Green Christmas Decor for a fresh, modern holiday vibe. It’s never too early to start planning your holiday masterpiece!
8. Keep Items Together for Specific Displays
If you always put certain ornaments or baubles in a vase, for example, store them together in a labeled bag inside the bin for that room. (I’m talking a simple ziploc bag, or even a plastic shopping bag — because who doesn’t have a million of those!)
Same goes for garlands and lights for a specific tree. Keeping everything you need for each display together is a total time-saver.
Love this idea? Keep it handy.
Email this to yourself so it’s ready when you are!
9. Stock Up on Wrapping Supplies for Breakables
This is a pro tip I swear by: have plenty of wrapping materials on hand for your fragile decor. I use newspaper, old towels, plastic shopping bags (again, odds are that you have a surplus of these on hand,) and even bubble wrap to protect ornaments and breakable pieces.
Twist ties and Ziploc bags are lifesavers, too, for organizing smaller items like ornament hooks, ribbon scraps, or extra light bulbs.
10. Pre-Pack a “First-Up” Bin
Pack a bin with your holiday essentials—the tree stand, extension cords, or that wreath you always hang first. Label it “FIRST UP” (yes, in all caps!), and store it where you can grab it easily. It’ll save you so much time when you’re ready to start decorating next year.
11. Create a Wrapping Supply Bin
This one’s a must. Gather all your leftover wrapping paper, gift bags, ribbons, and tags, and store them in one bin or organizer. Toss anything too crinkled or worn, and you’ll start next year with fresh supplies.
My ultra high tech (not at all!) system is storing my gift bags in paper shopping bags lined up in a large rubbermaid bin. I have a different paper shopping bag for different themes: Christmas, Birthday, Baby Shower, etc.
Fun Fact: my first son was born in 2007…. and I honest to goodness still have one or two baby gift bags left in my stash that were recycled from his baby shower!
12. Donate Unused Items Now
If there’s decor you didn’t use this year, pass it on! Someone else might love those items, and you’ll free up space for new pieces that better fit your style.
Done with the purple ornaments you’ve been using on your tree for the past few years? Pass them on – someone will be delighted to have a new color to use on their own tree next year.
13. Don’t Forget the Batteries!
Before you pack up your holiday lights and light-up decor, take a moment to remove the batteries. Trust me, I’ve learned this one the hard way! Leaving them in can cause leakage or corrosion, and the last thing you want is a sad strand of lights that won’t twinkle next year.
Toss the used batteries if they’re done, or keep a baggie of still-good ones handy for other devices around the house.
14. Make Note of What Worked (and What Didn’t)
Before you finish packing everything away, take five minutes to jot down what worked and what didn’t this year. Did you love the new tree placement? Wish you’d had more lights for the porch? Out of gift tags? Write it down and tuck the note in your FIRST-UP bin. Your future self will appreciate it.
15. Snap a Photo of Your Storage Setup (A Final Christmas Decoration Storage Hack)
Once all your holiday decorations are packed and neatly stored, take a quick photo of your bins, labels, and how everything is arranged.
Why? Because next year, you’ll know exactly where everything is without having to play a game of “bin roulette.”
Plus, if you’re like me and get a little… ambitious with adding new decor each year (hello, post-holiday sales!), you’ll have a visual reference to make sure it all fits back into your Christmas decoration storage system.
Wrap-Up: Simplify and Smile
Cleaning up after the holidays doesn’t have to be a chore! With these simple Christmas decoration storage tips, you’ll not only stay organized but also set yourself up for a smoother, stress-free holiday season next year.
You’ll love how much easier it is to dive into decorating when everything is labeled, sorted, and ready to go.
What are your favorite holiday cleanup tips? Share them in the comments—I’d love to hear them! And don’t forget to check out my Organized Christmas Decorating post for even more ideas to keep your holidays merry and manageable.
Looking for inspiration for next year’s decor? Explore my blog at Flairfully Yours for decorating tips, color palette ideas, and all things home styling.
Here’s to a clutter-free start to the new year and an even more magical Christmas next time around!🎄✨
