There’s only one thing sadder than taking down your Christmas decorations: opening up a box of tangled lights and broken baubles the following year. However, with a proper system in place, you can avoid this altogether.
Packing up ornaments may not be your favourite Christmas DIY job, but after exploring the storage solutions below, you'll be itching to get organised ahead of 2026.
To discover the best way to store your Christmas décor – so you can focus on decorating rather than sorting next year – keep on reading. From baubles and wreaths to lights and fragile ornaments, we’ve created a complete guide for you to follow, along with the products the experts actually use.
How to store fragile orgaments
To help fragile ornaments last longer, Poppy Duffree, Founder of Organised Interiors, recommends using storage products that are specifically designed for each type of item – especially baubles, which come in all shapes and sizes.
She says, "As an example, bauble storage boxes have grids that allow each bauble to be protected, ensuring they aren't scratched by each other, or shattered by the weight of heavier decorations." These can easily slot into your existing built-in storage.
Alternatively, Jordana Ashkenazi, Interior Designer and Founder of Element One House, recommends using shoe boxes with cardboard dividers as a cost-effective solution.
To protect your baubles without the need for plastic, she suggests wrapping them in tissue paper saved from gifts, old muslin cloths, cotton bags, or shredded craft paper.
Once you've sorted your decorations, it's best to store them by zone rather than by type. Jordana explains, "Organise items based on where they go in the home to make next year’s decorating quicker and less stressful."
Shop these Christmas storage essentials
This bauble storage box is one of Poppy's favourite products, featuring a stackable design with handles.
Made from biodegradable hessian cotton, these drawstring bags are perfect for storing delicate baubles.
Ink-free and portable, this label maker will help you get organised in no time.
Founder and Design Director of Element One House, Jordana Ashkenazi, has over a decade of experience working in interior design, buying, and homeware development having established Element One House back in 2013.
Poppy Duffree is an award-winning Professional Organiser and founder of Organised Interiors, known for delivering white-glove, show-home-standard home setups for clients. With a background in operations and prime property, she launched the company in 2019 to transform the often overlooked stage of move-in organisation.
How to store artificial trees and wreaths
Artificial trees:
Don't settle for the original box that's been hanging by a thread for who knows how many years – buy a specially designed bag instead, which has compartments for all the parts to ensure they don't get lost.
Poppy Duffree says, "Whilst many of these bags are soft fabric, we always recommend structured bags with sturdy sides so that the tree itself remains damage-free."
Suitable for trees up to 9 ft, this large storage bag will keep them protected all year round.
Wreaths:
Tempting as it might be to shove your wreath in an old box, this isn't the most space-efficient way to store it. On top of that, you'll also risk damaging your decorations if you put them all together.
Poppy Duffree says, "You can purchase wreath storage bags that specifically fit the size of your wreath, so you're taking up minimal storage space and can also be confident that your wreath is protected. Again, these often come with handles, making them easy to move in and out of storage areas."
To help preserve its shape, Jordana Ashkenazi suggests hanging the bag inside a wardrobe or on a hook.
Keep your wreath in tip-top condition with this waterproof storage bag.
How to store Christmas lighting
I don't know about you, but I absolutely dread taking down the Christmas lights each year – they always end up in a tangled mess that takes ages to sort through.
The solution? Poppy Duffree says, "Make life easier for yourself the following year by wrapping the lights around something sturdy so they don't become tangled. There are firelight reel organisers you can purchase for this, or you can simply use a piece of sturdy cardboard to wrap the lights around."
Jordana Ashkenazi says that magazines and padded boards also work well, which help to protect the wiring and extend the lifespan.
Next year, you will thank yourself for using this handy Christmas light holder.
Top tips for organising your Christmas decor
If you want to stay as organised as the professionals, follow their quick tips below:
1. Use clear, reusable storage boxes: "This helps you see what's inside at a glance," says Kelly Moore, Founder of Cleaning with Meaning.
2. Create a simple labelling system: "Use either eco-friendly sticky labels or, even better, a set of colour-coded fabric tags to tie to each box."
3. Group your decorations: "You can sort decorations by type, such as baubles, lights and garlands, or by room."
4. Create an inventory list: "Keeping a small inventory list inside each box, or even a photo of the contents on your phone, saves time and avoids rummaging through everything."
5. Start with a gentle declutter: "Before packing anything away, take a few minutes to sort through what you truly want to keep," says Jordana Ashkenazi. "Recycle anything broken beyond repair, and donate usable items to schools, churches, or charities to give them a second life."
As an added benefit, decluttering can also help to reduce damp in your home.
6. Make a mini repairs kit: "Include spare hooks, glue, ribbons, ornament hangers, and batteries. A quick-fix kit makes decorating smoother next year."
7. Leave yourself a note for next Christmas: "Write a reminder about what to replace or purchase early next season. It’s a simple way to make next year more efficient."
Kelly Moore is the Founder of Cleaning With Meaning, a Kent-based eco-cleaning business committed to delivering exceptional cleaning services without toxic chemicals or single-use plastics. Drawing on her background in care, Kelly combines attention to detail with a genuine passion for wellbeing, both for her clients and the environment.
How to prevent damp when storing decorations
To keep your decorations free from damp, Kelly Moore recommends storing them in natural, breathable materials that reduce the risk of mould. Elevate boxes off the floor, wrap fragile items in recycled paper, and use silica gel sachets to absorb excess moisture.
Jordana Ashkenazi concludes, "Storing Christmas decorations well makes homes feel calmer, more organised, and more sustainable. A thoughtful system protects memories, reduces waste, and simplifies next year."
For more advice on organising your home, take a look at these living room storage ideas and these loft storage ideas.
