How to Store Christmas Decorations: Protect Your Baubles, Lights and Tree

Taking down Christmas decorations can feel daunting after the festive season, but storing them correctly can save money, reduce waste, and keep your Christmas items safe for years to come.

According to a YouGov survey, UK households spend over £660 million on Christmas decorations each year, and as many as 168 million Christmas lights are thrown away annually. How you store your Christmas decorations is key to saving you money and reducing waste.

Fortunately, our guide is here to help make things a little easier! Covering everything from how to store all your Christmas decorations to choosing the right storage boxes, knowing when self-storage might be the best option and simple steps on how to save time and prevent unnecessary purchases next Christmas.

When to Take Down and Store Decorations

Most people in the UK remove decorations in the first couple of weeks of January. Research from YouGov shows:

56% take decorations down between New Year’s Day and Twelfth Night.

20% wait until the first weekend of January.

Practical timing tips:

To avoid rushing and reduce the risk of damage, aim to start taking things down and storing Christmas decorations within the first few days of January.
Take outdoor lights down sooner, ensuring items are fully dry before storing to prevent mould, discolouration, or cable damage.

How to Store Glass Baubles and Ornaments

Research from Hallmark reveals that in the UK, the average Christmas tree holds around 39 decorations, with 97 % of people keeping ornaments more than 20 years old.

Decorating the Christmas tree isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about memories. So, since these glass baubles and ornaments are often the most treasured items on your tree, here’s how you can store them properly to avoid broken glass, scratches, damage and more:

Wrap Each Bauble Individually: Use tissue paper or bubble wrap to cushion each piece. Don’t use a newspaper; the ink can transfer and stain.
Use Storage Boxes With Compartments: Boxes with individual slots or dividers help prevent ornaments from knocking together.
Stack Decorations Wisely: Place heavier decorations at the bottom and lighter ones on top to avoid crushing fragile items.
Label clearly: Mark boxes with “Fragile” and add a contents list so you can find what you need next year without unpacking everything.
Protect Christmas heirlooms: For sentimental or expensive ornaments, double wrap them or store them in a climate-controlled space. For example, a cupboard in the house rather than an uninsulated garage.

How To Store Christmas Lights Without Tangles

Tangled Christmas lights are one of the most common and frustrating problems we face during the Christmas period. It’s easy for cords to become knotted or damaged if they’re not stored properly, so taking a little time to organise your lights now can save you hours of untangling next year.

Test Lights Before Packing Them Away: Plug them in, check they all work, and replace any unworking bulbs before storing.
Wrap Lights Neatly Rather than Stuffing Them in Boxes: Shoving lights in a box is the number one cause of tangles. To avoid knots, wrap lights around things like cardboard, reels, wrapping paper tubes or coat hangers. Keep the plug ends accessible so you can unwind easily next year.
Store Christmas Lights Individually: Store indoor, outdoor, and novelty lights separately. Add a small label with the approximate length and where it was used. This prevents different light sets from twisting into each other, and you know exactly what lights go where next year.

How to Store an Artificial Christmas Tree

YouGov data suggests that around two-thirds of the UK population use an artificial Christmas tree rather than a real one, but even high-quality artificial trees can become damaged, dusty or discoloured if not stored correctly.

Here are some simple steps to keep your artificial Christmas tree in top condition:

Clean and Dry Your Artificial Christmas Tree: Wipe away or shake any dust that has accumulated over the festive period. If you’ve used water to clean, ensure the tree is dry before storing, as it could lead to smells and mould.
Compress and Wrap the Branches: Carefully push the branches inwards towards the tree’s centre to reduce their spread, just like how it was when it was originally packaged. Don’t bend the branches too sharply, as they could become permanently misshapen. Tying each section loosely with ribbons or fabric helps keep the branches compact.
Invest in a Durable Christmas Tree Storage Bag: How you store your artificial Christmas tree makes a big difference to its longevity. Original tree boxes can degrade over time, so it’s wise to invest in a purpose-made storage bag or a robust container designed for Christmas trees.
Store Horizontally in a Cool, Dry Place: Finally, where you keep your tree is just as important as how you pack it away. Keep it in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Lying the tree horizontally also prevents the weight of one section from crushing another.

How to Store Wreaths and Garlands

Wreaths and garlands need to be stored carefully to ensure they stay in shape and remain looking fresh and full for the following year. Here are a few tips to keep them looking their best:

Hang wreaths and garlands on hooks where space allows to help them retain their shape.
Alternatively, store them flat in purpose-made boxes to avoid pressure on the foliage.
Ensure all foliage is completely dry before packing away to prevent mould.
Avoid placing heavy items on top, as this can crush decorative parts.
Store pre-lit wreaths and garlands in padded or lined boxes to protect both the foliage and the wiring.

How To Store Outdoor Decorations

Outdoor Christmas decorations take a bit more preparation before storing away than indoor items. Cleaning and careful storage not only preserve their appearance but also extend their lifespan.

Clean off dirt and debris: Give lights, inflatables and garden figures a good wipe-down. Remove any mud, leaves and surface grime to prevent stains and make them easier to unpack next year.
Dry inflatables and figures: Outdoor decorations are exposed to rain, damp and frost over winter. Before storing, let them dry completely.
Remove batteries: Remove all batteries from battery-operated items to avoid corrosion and leakage.
Use waterproof, airtight storage: Use waterproof plastic tubs, as cardboard boxes can attract moisture and pests. This is particularly useful if storing in garden sheds.

The Best Storage Containers and Boxes

Choosing the right Christmas storage boxes helps protect your decorations. Sturdy plastic boxes offer better protection than cardboard, and clear containers make items easier to identify.

To save space, stackable storage boxes are perfect. Avoid using bin bags or thin boxes as these offer little protection, and your Christmas decorations are more likely to be damaged.

Purpose-built boxes with compartments help protect delicate items and are excellent for baubles, lights and fragile pieces. This type of organisation also reduces movement and friction in storage, minimising scratches and breakages.

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Climate Control Considerations

The temperature and humidity can seriously affect Christmas decorations over time. Dampness can lead to mould, while extreme heat or cold can warp plastic ornaments, fade colours, and damage wiring in lights. As the UK has a typically damp climate, choosing the right storage spot is just as important as using the right boxes.

Spare rooms or cupboards: These offer the most stable conditions for delicate ornaments, lights, wreaths and baubles.
Loft spaces: Lofts are suitable if well insulated; otherwise, if not stored correctly, condensation can cause damage to Christmas items
Garages and sheds: Decorations can be stored in garages and sheds if they are kept in sealed, waterproof containers to protect against moisture and pests.

Using Self-Storage for Christmas Decorations

Like most of us, one of the biggest problems when it comes to storing Christmas decorations is space. Self-storage offers a practical solution for keeping decorations safe, organised and ready for next year. If you’re struggling to find where to store Christmas decorations in your home, here are some of the benefits of self-storage:

Frees up home storage to make everyday living spaces more manageable.
Keeps decorations in great condition, protecting items from damp, pests, dust and accidental damage.
Perfect for large or bulky items such as oversized Christmas trees and outdoor displays.
You can add or remove things throughout the year if needed, saving space in your home for any new pieces you might buy.
Sometimes things get thrown away just because we don’t have the room to store them. With self-storage, you can hold on to your decorations, and it’s also good for the environment.

Creating an Inventory for Next Year

Keeping an inventory of your Christmas decorations is one of the simplest ways to save time and reduce stress for the following year. Knowing exactly what you have can prevent unnecessary purchases in the future.

An inventory saves time as you can locate decorations quickly without searching through multiple boxes or storage spaces. You will also be able to notice if something is missing or damaged before next Christmas.

Simple things you can do include:

Labelling boxes clearly.
Number boxes and keep a corresponding list of contents.
Create digital or paper inventories. Apps, spreadsheets or photos can make it easy to track decorations digitally, while a simple paper list can work just as well.

By keeping a clear record, you’ll make decorating next Christmas faster, smoother, and less stressful, and ensure your decorations remain organised and ready to enjoy year after year.

Wrapping Up

Storing your Christmas decorations properly doesn’t have to be stressful. By taking the time to clean, organise, and protect your decorations, you can preserve them for many years to come.

Choosing the right storage containers, keeping decorations in climate-controlled spaces, and even creating a simple inventory will save you time, prevent damage, and reduce unnecessary spending next year.

Whether you use cupboards at home or a self-storage unit, a little effort now ensures that when next Christmas comes around, your decorations are ready to unpack and use without hassle.