8 Christmas Decor Storage Mistakes to Avoid This Season

Enjoy a stress-free season next year by avoiding these holiday storage slip-ups.

Decorating for Christmas is similar to preparing for a vacation. Like packing, it’s exciting to decorate. But when the trip—or, in this case, when the holiday is over—putting everything away feels daunting. Improper planning or storage solutions can damage your favorite decor or make it a hassle to pull it out next season. The key to avoiding tangled string lights is to implement a solid organization system and steer clear of making critical storage mistakes.

Putting putting away Christmas decorations becomes a less daunting task when you have a solid plan. Additionally, you’ll be able to rest knowing that fragile or sentimental pieces will stay intact for years to come. Take note of these common holiday decor storage mistakes, along with practical tips on what to do instead.

Related: How to Store a Christmas Tree Once the Holidays Are Over

1. Using the Wrong Storage Containers

If you’ve been in the habit of storing holiday decor (or, really, anything you own) in cardboard boxes, this is one you’ll want to break immediately. Cardboard provides minimal protection to begin with and, over time, deteriorates, becoming a magnet for moisture and pests. The safer solution is to use durable, stackable totes with lids.

While you can find them in festive colors like red and green, clear bins allow you to scan the contents easily. You may also want to look for containers created with compartments or dividers, such as an ornament organizer. Note that many of these are made of fabric to safeguard breakables, so they’re better kept in a climate-controlled area. Whatever containers you choose, remember that they should be made of a material designed for long-term storage.

Related: The 5 Best Holiday Storage Containers, According to Our Testing

2. Neglecting to Sort Decor Before Storing

With any home organization project, it’s important to sort items into categories so it’s easier to find what you need when you need it later. The same applies to holiday decor. For example, combining indoor and outdoor decorations in the same container can make your otherwise clean indoor items dirty. Likewise, the sharp edge of the star-shaped tree topper can cause tears in outdoor inflatables, and glitter-covered ornaments on top of the tree skirt will make it glittered-covered, too.

Before putting things away, take the time to separate your decorations by use, type, or material. This will not only keep things clean and prevent ruined decorations, but it will also make decorating a breeze next season.

3. Not Wrapping Lights Properly

There are few things more frustrating than gearing up to decorate for the season only to find a jumbled mess of string lights you hastily tossed aside last year. To avoid wasting time untangling them when next Christmas rolls around, carefully wrap each strand before putting them away. You can use a storage reel, a piece of cardboard, or even a clothes hanger. Secure the ends of Christmas lights with cable ties before adding them to a protective container to protect the bulbs.

Related: How to Fix Christmas Lights to Use Year After Year

4. Being Careless with Fragile Items

Small light bulbs aren’t the only delicate decor item to consider when packing away. Items like glass ornaments, Christmas village figurines, Santa’s cookie plate, and more are susceptible to damage while in storage. Dropping them into a bin without cushioning is a surefire way to find them broken next year. Instead, use divided containers or wrap each fragile piece in bubble wrap, packing or tissue paper, or fabric before packing them away. You can even use what you have, such as stockings or holiday-themed dish towels, for protection.

While they’re not technically breakable, artificial trees, wreaths, and garlands should be stored intentionally so they don’t become squished and misshapen. Use special organizers, such as tree storage bags or wreath boxes, to keep them in top condition.

Related: How to Store a Christmas Tree Once the Holidays Are Over

5. Not Removing Batteries

You likely have at least a few battery-operated holiday decorations, such as LED lights or flameless candles. Bear in mind that leaving batteries inside these items while in storage can lead to corrosion, especially if your storage space has elevated levels of heat or humidity. For safety reasons, always remove batteries from any electronic decorations (and store them conveniently elsewhere) before packing them away.

6. Not Cleaning Decorations Before Storage

Dust, debris, and—if you have a real tree—sticky sap can easily build up on your decorations over the season. If you put things away without cleaning them first, be prepared to be met with potential damage, stains, and even unpleasant odors when you open bins next year. To avoid that, wipe down any visibly dirty decorations with a clean, damp cloth. Ensure everything is completely dry before storing to prevent mold and mildew growth.

Related: Do You Need to Know How to Clean an Artificial Christmas Tree?

7. Storing Decor in Less than Ideal Environments

It’s not uncommon to store holiday decor in the garage, basement, or attic, and it’s not inherently wrong. The problem arises when these areas are subjected to fluctuating temperatures and humidity levels, especially if they’re extreme. These conditions can cause plastic to warp, colorful fabrics to fade, and mold and mildew to grow. If possible, always keep Christmas decorations in a climate-controlled area of your home, like a guest room closet or dedicated storage space. If you must use a less-than-ideal place, like the basement, run a dehumidifier or use moisture-absorbing packets to help preserve items better throughout the year.

8. Not Labeling Decor

After the hustle and bustle of the holidays, it's tempting to want to tidy up quickly. But if it hasn’t been made clear by now, rushing through the process isn’t doing you any favors. If you’ve followed through with this list so far, the good news is that you’re almost done with creating an organized (and secure) storage system. The last step is to label each container or organizer, so it’s unmistakable next year. Yes, even if you store things in clear bins, labels are helpful to identify categories in the blink of an eye. Use a label maker, QR code labels, or printable labels to write out the contents and make sure they’re facing forward and easy to read.