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From Chaos to Cheer: The Ultimate Guide to Stress-Free Christmas Decoration Storage

Dec 16th 2024

cardboard boxes marked Xmas lights and other storage labels

Whether it’s December 26 or weeks after the holiday, we inevitably have to face “putting away Christmas.”


The Christmas tree, lights and ornaments, wreaths, nutcrackers, stockings, gift wrap – all that sparkling stuff has to go somewhere when Christmas is over.


When that time comes, do you drag out ancient cardboard boxes?


A battered old box isn’t the best way to keep Christmas decorations from getting dirty, damaged or broken. Your beautiful decorations deserve better protection!

Luckily, there are modern storage products for all your Christmas decorations. Let’s review the best way to store Christmas decor and take a closer look at some handy Christmas decoration storage solutions.

How to Store an Artificial Christmas Tree

large fabric wheeled tree storage bag

As Christmas tree experts, we at Christmas Central can tell you it’s nearly impossible to get a fluffed artificial Christmas tree back in its original box. Even if you manage it, you risk damaging the lights or tree. In addition, the cardboard packing box is not easy to move or store. Cardboard also rips easily, offering even less protection for your precious Christmas tree.

Christmas tree storage bags, on the other hand, are made to accommodate your tree. Christmas tree bags feature heavy-duty construction and carrying handles, with sturdy internal metal frames. Bags with rollers easy to transport and put away. Some tree bags are even designed to store your tree assembled and upright, making next year’s tree set-up practically effortless!

The best way to store an artificial Christmas tree is to place the larger branches on the bottom of the storage container, stacking the smaller branches on top. Be gentle with the lights. Unless your Christmas tree bag was made to stand up, keep your tree flat when not in use.

Even if you don’t have an artificial Christmas tree, tree storage bags are a great place to pack away larger outdoor Christmas decorations.

How to Store Christmas Ornaments

19x27-inch three-tray Christmas ornament storage case with front pocket

Many people successfully store their Christmas tree ornaments in cardboard boxes. If you do this, protect your ornaments with packing materials or wrap them in paper or paper towels. This helps keep delicate glass ornaments from rattling around, knocking against each other and scratching or breaking.


Keep in mind however, that a cardboard box is easily crushed and not water-resistant.


For an extra layer of protection, explore specialized Christmas ornament storage. These tailor-made Christmas storage containers typically boast individual compartments and smart stacking options to optimize space. Some are even spacious enough to accommodate larger decorations, such as nutcrackers and tabletop ornaments.

Remember, when stowing away your ornament box, avoid piling heavy items on top. Glass ornaments are fragile and even shatterproof ornaments can crack under excessive pressure. 

How to Store Christmas Lights

Christmas light storage reels and bag

Does dealing with a wadded mess of Christmas lights add to your holiday stress each year? Tangled cords and broken bulbs can quickly dim your holiday spirit. The good news is, there's a bright Christmas light storage solution to provide your twinkle lights with a little TLC.


Christmas light storage reels keep your light cords neat, organized and tangle-free. Dedicated spools for each strand ensure your indoor and outdoor Christmas lights emerge from storage hassle-free and ready to sparkle.

How to Store Christmas Wreaths

green fabric hanging wreath storage bag

Christmas wreaths are generally pretty sturdy, but a little extra care ensures they stay beautiful for many seasons to come.

If you bought a new wreath this Christmas, you probably spent time and effort “fluffing” it to make it look its best. Don’t let your work go to waste or risk damaging the delicate bows and ornaments attached to it by stuffing it back in the box in which it was delivered.

It’s best to store your Christmas wreath in a way that won’t put pressure on the wreath frame, bows and other ornamentation. At the very least, protect your wreath from dust and dirt by storing it in a plastic garbage bag or wrapped in a sheet. If you can’t hang it to store, make sure nothing heavy is stacked on top of it.

Wreath storage bags offer superior protection to a sheet or plastic bag and come in a range of sizes to match your wreath. Wreath bags feature durable construction, easy-zip closures and some even have hooks for easy hanging.

Just slide your wreath into the bag, hang it out of the way and it will be dust-free and ready to put up again next year.

How to Store Christmas Ribbon and Wrapping Paper

rolling wrapping paper storage and craft station case

Why keep your special Christmas wrapping paper and ribbons in a drawer or on a closet shelf, where they can get crumpled, ripped and wrinkled? When you’re ready to wrap, the last thing you want to deal with is replacing damaged Christmas paper. Plus, buying new wrapping supplies at the last minute can be difficult, time-consuming and expensive.

The good news is there are creative solutions to the wrapping paper storage challenge! If you don’t have room for fancy storage carts or the DIY skills for a pegboard wall unit, consider vertical wrapping paper storage that hangs conveniently in your closet, or a sleek gift wrap organizer that easily slides under your bed.


A gift wrap organizer is crafted from sturdy materials and comes with convenient carry handles. Some offer see-through windows and wheels for maximum convenience and portability. You’ll also find Christmas wrap storage containers that double as a wrapping station, with separate compartments for paper, bows, ribbon, gift tags, scissors and tape. Plus, there are options designed to accommodate your extra-long rolls of Christmas gift wrap.

Making Future Christmases Brighter

Putting away the Christmas decorations can feel like a holiday let-down. Fail to protect your treasured Christmas decorations, however, and you might face even worse disappointment next year, if your treasured decor emerges from storage broken or scratched.


Investing in Christmas storage that is designed for your decorations can make Christmas packing merrier now and unpacking more joyful next season.


Browse Christmas Central’s wide selection of Christmas storage solutions for lights, ornaments, decorations and Christmas wrapping paper.

20.5-inch transparent zip-up storage box for 112 ornaments
95-inch green upright Christmas tree rolling storage bag
36-inch red and green wreath storage bag
Install N Store 12.5-inch Christmas light storage reel & bag
From Chaos to Cheer: The Ultimate Guide to Stress-Free Christmas Decoration Storage

Need help with decorating tips? Choosing the right tree?

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