Decorating for the holidays is one of the best parts of the season. Packing everything away afterward? That's usually a little less exciting.
Many people toss decorations into whatever boxes are available, only to discover tangled lights, broken ornaments, and missing decorations the following year. Spending a little extra time organizing your holiday decorations and choosing the right size storage unit now can save time, money, and frustration when the next holiday season rolls around.
Whether you decorate for Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, or all three, these storage tips will help keep your decorations organized and protected year after year.
Sort Decorations Before You Pack
Before placing everything into storage, take time to sort through your decorations.
Separate decorations by holiday and set aside anything that's broken, no longer works, or you no longer plan to use. Donating gently used decorations is also a great way to free up storage space while helping someone else enjoy them.
Grouping similar decorations together now will make decorating much easier next season.
Examples include:
Indoor decorations
Outdoor decorations
Tree ornaments
String lights
Table décor
Wreaths and garlands
The fewer unnecessary items you store, the easier everything becomes to organize.
Use Durable Storage Bins
While cardboard boxes may seem convenient, durable plastic storage bins typically provide better long-term protection for seasonal decorations.
Quality storage bins help protect your decorations from:
Dust
Moisture
Accidental crushing
Everyday wear and tear
Clear bins also make it easy to see what's inside without opening every container. Some homeowners even use different colored bins for different holidays to make seasonal decorating even simpler.
Label Everything Clearly
One of the easiest ways to stay organized is by labeling every storage bin before putting it away.
Include information such as:
Holiday
Room where the decorations are used
Fragile contents
Special setup notes
For example:
Christmas Tree Ornaments
Outdoor Lights
Halloween Porch Decorations
Thanksgiving Table Décor
The more specific your labels are, the less time you'll spend searching for decorations next year.
Protect Fragile Ornaments
Many holiday decorations hold sentimental value, which makes storing delicate items especially important.
Wrap delicate ornaments individually using:
Tissue paper
Bubble wrap
Ornament storage trays
Divided ornament boxes
For smaller ornaments, even clean egg cartons can provide additional protection.
Avoid overpacking boxes, as excessive weight can cause ornaments to crack or break while in storage.
Keep Holiday Lights from Tangling
Few things are more frustrating than untangling holiday lights every year.
Before storing them:
Wrap each strand around a piece of cardboard or a plastic storage reel.
Secure the ends with reusable twist ties or hook-and-loop straps.
Label each strand by where it's used, such as "Tree," "Front Porch," or "Roofline."
A few extra minutes now can save a lot of time during next year's decorating.
Store Artificial Trees Properly
Artificial Christmas trees are designed to last for many years when stored correctly.
If possible:
Store the tree in its original box or a dedicated tree storage bag.
Keep all sections together.
Remove loose decorations before packing.
Avoid placing heavy items on top of the tree during storage.
Protecting your tree properly helps preserve its shape and makes setup easier year after year.
Keep Wreaths and Garlands Looking Their Best
Wreaths and garlands can easily become flattened if they aren't stored carefully.
To help them keep their shape:
Use wreath storage containers when possible.
Hang wreaths if space allows.
Store garlands loosely coiled.
Avoid stacking heavy boxes on top of delicate greenery.
Proper storage helps keep your seasonal decorations looking fresh each holiday season.
Create a Holiday Inventory
If you have multiple bins of decorations, creating a simple inventory can save time later.
Your list might include:
Number of storage bins
Decorations by room
Replacement items to purchase
Gift wrapping supplies
Seasonal serving pieces
Some homeowners even keep the inventory on their phone, making it easy to reference while decorating or shopping.
Store Decorations You'll Need First Near the Front
If your storage unit or garage holds decorations for multiple holidays, think about the order you'll need them.
For example:
Near the front
Halloween decorations
Thanksgiving décor
Toward the back
Christmas decorations
Winter decorations
Rotating seasonal decorations this way makes them easier to access throughout the year.
Internal Link Opportunity: This is a natural place to link to "How to Organize Your Storage Unit for Easy Access" when mentioning organizing frequently used items.
Choose a Clean, Organized Storage Space
Holiday decorations often include delicate materials, sentimental keepsakes, and items that are only used once a year. Storing them in a clean, organized environment helps keep everything protected and ready for next season.
If you're running out of room in your garage, basement, or closets, a storage unit can provide additional space while helping keep your home organized throughout the year.
Internal Link Opportunity: After mentioning storage units, naturally link to "What Size Storage Unit Do I Need? A Complete Fort Collins Storage Guide" for readers who aren't sure how much space they'll need.
A Little Organization Goes a Long Way
Taking the time to organize your holiday decorations now makes decorating next season faster, easier, and far less stressful. Simple habits like labeling bins, protecting fragile items, and storing decorations in an organized layout can help your favorite holiday décor last for years.
Whether you're storing a few bins of seasonal decorations or an entire collection of holiday décor, Manhattan Storage offers clean, secure storage units in a convenient mid-town Fort Collins location with flexible month-to-month rentals. Our team is happy to help you find the right storage solution for your needs.
Contact Manhattan Storage today to learn more about available storage units in Fort Collins.