7 Smart DIY Christmas Decoration Storage Hacks

The “Post-Christmas” Chaos

The gifts are opened, the feast is over, and now you are staring at a living room covered in pine needles and glitter. Taking down the holiday decor is the least festive part of the season, but it is necessary.

The way you pack away your items this week dictates how happy you will be next November. A bad packing job means broken heirlooms and tangled lights. A good DIY Christmas decoration storage system means a stress-free start to the holidays next year. Here are 7 genius hacks to organize your decor safely and cheaply.

1. The “Cardboard” Light Detangler

The Problem: The dreaded ball of tangled wire.

Never throw lights into a bin.

• The DIY: Cut a rectangular piece of sturdy cardboard (from all those Amazon gift boxes!). Cut a notch on each side.
• The Wrap: Wrap your light strands around the cardboard.
• The Finish: Tuck the plug into the notch. Write the length and location (e.g., “Tree Bottom”) on the cardboard.

2. The “Egg Carton” Ornament Safe

The Problem: Fragile glass balls breaking.

You don’t need expensive dividers for small baubles.

• The Hack: Save your cardboard egg cartons.
• Storage: Place small glass ornaments inside the egg cups. The cardboard offers shock absorption. Stack the cartons inside a larger plastic bin.

3. The “Red Cup” Divider System

The Problem: Medium-sized ornaments rolling around.

For ornaments too big for egg cartons, use the leftovers from your party.

• The DIY: Glue plastic party cups to a sheet of cardboard that fits inside your storage bin.
• Result: Instant, individual compartments for each special ornament.
• Layering: You can stack these layers on top of each other.

4. The “Garment Bag” Wreath Protector

The Problem: Wreaths get crushed and dusty.

Wreaths are awkward shapes.

• The Hack: Use a clear plastic garment bag (dry cleaner bags work perfectly).
• Hanging: Slip the wreath over the hook of a hanger, then cover it with the bag. You can hang this in the back of a closet or on a nail in the garage/attic without it collecting dust.

5. The “Shrink Wrap” Tree Trick

The Problem: Artificial trees are impossible to put back in the box.

Once a fake tree is fluffed, it never shrinks back down.

• The Solution: Don’t dismantle every branch. Break the tree into its 3 main sections.
• The Wrap: Use a roll of Stretch Wrap (moving cling film). Wrap each section tightly. It compresses the branches without bending them and keeps the dust out.

6. The “Bead Box” for Hooks

The Problem: Losing the tiny ornament hooks.

• The Hack: Use a small plastic tackle box or bead organizer.
• Sort: Separate spare bulbs, fuses, and wire hooks. Tape this box to the lid of your main ornament bin so it’s the first thing you find next year.

7. The Ultimate “Color-Coded” Bins

The Problem: “Which box has the mantle decor?”

Stop guessing. Use a color system.

• Red Bins: Tree Decor.
• Green Bins: Outdoor Lights.
• Clear Bins: General House Decor.
• The Product: We recommend sturdy Iris Weathertight Storage Bins because they seal out moisture and spiders in the attic.

PRO TIP: The Moisture Enemy

Attics and basements are damp. Moisture ruins DIY Christmas decoration storage by causing mildew on stockings and rust on ornament caps.

• The Fix: Never seal a bin without throwing in a Silica Gel Desiccant Pack. You can buy them, or save the ones from shoe boxes all year. They absorb trapped moisture and keep your decor smelling fresh.

For more organization tips, check out this guide from The Spruce on Holiday Storage.

FAQ: Storing for Next Year