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Last week on the blog, I shared how I got more intentional with packing our Christmas decor away. Editing what we keep and grouping our decor in a way that actually makes sense for how I decorate.
Today, I wanted to share the practical side of that process. What I’ve purchased in the past that’s still working. Where storage pain points still existed, and what I purchased this year to help fix them.
Christmas Storage Solutions That Are Still Working For Us
Last year, I took my first real steps toward improving the way our Christmas decor is stored. I focused on how we protect and store our ornaments. Also, I created a one-stop wrapping paper station that made the entire gift-wrapping process feel more enjoyable.
Previously, our heirloom and favorite ornaments were stored in a long, flat canvas box with customizable compartments. Any additional ornaments, those used as filler or that weren’t especially precious, were carefully wrapped and stored in bins.
While I loved the flat canvas box, it was starting to show its age, and we had simply outgrown it. I wanted something similar but sturdier and capable of holding more ornaments. Eventually the goal is to move away from storing ornaments loosely in bins. Those bins always ended up mixed with other decor, making it hard to find everything when decorating.
Last year, I ordered an ornament storage box that holds up to 128 ornaments, and I’ve been really happy with it. When I went to buy a second one this year, I noticed it was no longer available. I did find a very similar option that appears to function the same way.
To make wrapping presents easier, and to keep everything in one place, I also ordered a gift wrap storage organizer bag. I love pretty wrapping paper and adding ribbon and bows to make gifts feel extra special and personal. Having everything stored together makes the entire process feel calmer and more enjoyable. It also doesn’t hurt that Mike was very impressed when I brought it down this year after he asked where the wrapping paper was.
Our Christmas Storage Pain Points
This year, there were a few storage issues I wanted to address:
- Freeing up space by editing and donating decor we no longer use or love
- Creating better organization for the items we decided to keep
- Finding storage solutions for new holiday purchases
When I pulled out the bins in early November, anything I knew right away we no longer wanted went straight into a donation bin. Items I felt unsure about were set aside with the intention of donating them if I didn’t reach for them this season.
At first, I was hesitant to let anything go, but once I started, it became much easier, and much clearer, what still fit our style and what we had outgrown.
Another pain point was organization. This year, Mike and I decided to start collecting Santas. We found our first one while thrifting, inherited several from my mother-in-law, and Mike surprised me with a few more as gifts. I wanted to make sure they were wrapped and stored together, making them easy to find next year.
Instead of my usual approach, filling a bin as full as possible, I resisted the urge to overstuff it and intentionally left room for the collection to grow. That small shift alone made the storage feel more thoughtful and manageable.
We also added three additional wreaths this year to match the ones we hung on our windows last season, along with new 6’ and 9’ faux cedar garlands. Those additions required better storage solutions.
Previously, our wreaths hung on a pegboard in the basement, but once that was removed, they ended up leaning against the floor. I had tried a wreath storage bag last year, but the quality wasn’t great, and I returned it.
The Storage Categories We are Organized By
When organizing our Christmas decor, I use a few different approaches depending on the item and where it’s typically used in our home.
For most decor, I store like with like and label each bin so I can easily find what I’m looking for at a glance:
- Indoor and outdoor lights
- Ornaments
- Santa Collection
- Bottle brush trees
- Christmas mugs and serving pieces
- Wreaths
- Garland
- Wrapping paper and gift wrap supplies
Storing everything strictly by room doesn’t work well for us, since I like to move things around and change things up each year. However, there are a few exceptions.
I have a garland and a couple of tabletop trees that I almost always use upstairs in our office and guest bedroom. Instead of bringing those items all the way down to the basement, I store them in a small cubby near our attic. It makes both unpacking and packing up much easier each year.
What I purchased to Upgrade Our Storage
In addition to the ornament storage and wrapping paper storage bag I already love, this year I wanted to address storage for our wreaths, garland, and growing Santa collection.
For the wreaths, I finally settled on a new wreath storage bag. I ordered one to try first, and if I love it, I’ll order additional bags. The reviews are promising, especially when it comes to zipper quality. We have seven 24” wreaths in total, and the reviews suggest that at least two wreaths fit comfortably in each bag.
To store our new faux garland, I purchased a large clear storage bin with a lid. We already use a similar bin for stockings and love both the function and the way it stacks neatly with our other storage. I had to search for the same style again and am waiting for it to arrive later this month.
What I Didn’t Buy (and Why)
While looking for Christmas storage solutions, I came across countless products, and it was tempting to overhaul everything.
I considered changing how we store Christmas lights by using reels and a specialty storage bag instead of winding them by hand and placing them in a bin. In the end, I decided our current system works just fine, and there was no real need to change it.
When it came to storing our wreaths, I explored several options. What I really wanted was a larger version of our ornament storage box. Something structured, without compartments, that could store all of the wreaths together. I wasn’t able to find anything in the size or with the structure I wanted.
Also, I considered large tree bags. After looking closely at review photos, I noticed they didn’t appear to have the structure I prefer. I tend to favor storage solutions with structure because they’re easier to stack. They also protect items better, and visually look much cleaner in storage spaces.
I was drawn to a set of clear storage bins with lids that offered more structure, but they were more expensive, so I decided to hold off for now.
How This Will Help Us Next December
Knowing that our Christmas decor is organized, well-protected, and edited down to only the things we truly love brings me so much peace. No more digging through bins of unused decor just to find what I’m looking for. And no more starting the season already feeling overwhelmed.
Instead, decorating can feel calm, intentional, and joyful from the very beginning.
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