January 03, 2025 | 2 minute read

The Basics of Storing Christmas Decorations

How To Prepare, Plan and Pack Christmas Decorations For Storage

Storing Christmas decorations properly is essential to ensuring they last year after year, and using self-storage can provide a convenient solution for keeping your holiday items organized and protected. Whether you have an extensive holiday setup or just a few cherished items, self-storage offers the space and security you need to keep your decorations safe and ready for future festivities.

1. Sort and Declutter Before Storing

Before packing everything away, take the opportunity to sort through your holiday decorations. Identify items that are broken, outdated, or no longer in use, and consider donating or discarding them. Decluttering helps reduce the amount of storage space needed and makes it easier to manage your collection in the future.

2. Invest in Quality Storage Containers

The biggest Christmas decoration storage tip is to use clear, sturdy bins and label everything. Clear bins allow you to easily see what’s inside without opening each container, while sturdy plastic protects your decorations from dust, moisture, and damage. Labeling the bins with their contents ensures you can quickly find specific items, making next year’s decorating much easier and more organized.

Clear bins are especially helpful because they allow you to see the contents without having to open every container. For additional protection, look for containers specifically designed for holiday storage, such as ornament boxes with dividers or wreath containers.

3. Organize and Label Your Decorations

Keeping your decorations organized will save you time and hassle when it’s time to unpack next year. Group items by category, such as tree ornaments, lights, outdoor décor, and wreaths. Label each container clearly with its contents so you can easily find what you need next holiday season. Consider creating a holiday inventory list to help you track your decorations.

4. Protect Fragile Items

Ornaments, glassware, and other delicate decorations need extra protection. Wrap fragile items individually in tissue paper, bubble wrap, or soft fabric to prevent them from breaking. Special ornament storage boxes with individual compartments are a great way to store valuable or sentimental pieces safely.

5. Avoid Tangled Lights

Untangling Christmas lights is one of the most dreaded post-holiday tasks. To avoid this frustration, wrap your lights around a piece of cardboard or use a light storage reel. Store them in a separate bin or bag to keep them tangle-free.

6. Choose Climate-Controlled Self Storage

With extreme temperatures and humidity variations in BC, climate-controlled self-storage is essential. Items like candles, electronics, and certain decorations can be sensitive to temperature fluctuations. Climate control ensures that your decorations are stored in a stable environment, protecting them from heat, cold, and moisture damage.

By following these basic steps, storing your Christmas decorations in a self-storage unit can make the process more organized, efficient, and stress-free. When you’re ready to store your Christmas decorations, NationWide Self Storage has the storage size you need for all your seasonal decorations. Come in to 1 of 4 BC self storage locations near you: Vancouver, Burnaby, Surrey and Kamloops.