Christmas Decoration Storage | A Complete Guide

Every December, children – and many adults – look forward to the magic of Christmas. And while it might be fun (and even a family tradition) to put up the tree, baubles and tinsel together, careful Christmas decoration storage is definitely not a job to hand over to the littlies.

When January arrives, and the festive joy gives way to summer holidays, many families rush to pack everything away. But between post-Christmas fatigue and the urge to reclaim your home, decorations often end up as a jumbled mix of tangled lights, broken ornaments and missing tree branches — only to cause headaches next festive season.

Whether you’re storing Christmas decorations at home or in a More Space Storage unit, this complete guide offers simple, smart storage ideas to keep your ornaments intact, your lights untangled, and next year’s decorating stress-free.

Make a Packing Plan

A little preparation makes all the difference when knowing how to store Christmas tree decorations.

1. Take Pics of Your Setup

Before dismantling your tree, snap a few photos of your festive displays — tree, tabletops, wreaths, outdoor lights. These reference pics help you hang baubles, place decorations, and position lights exactly how you like them next year.

Pro tip: Print and tape these photos to the corresponding storage boxes for ultra-easy unpacking next season.

2. Sort by Category

Grouping items properly makes both packing and unpacking faster. Organise into:

• Lights, labelled as either “indoor” or “outdoor”
• Tree ornaments
• Wreaths
• Garlands
• Table and shelf decor
• Wrapping supplies
• Christmas wearables (headbands, hats, seasonal clothing)

Figuring out how to store Christmas tree decorations really does start at this stage. Once everything’s off the tree and spread out on the table or floor, group the delicate, sentimental pieces together and wrap them properly (see the “How to Store Christmas Decorations & Candles” section) before they go near a box. It’s a tiny bit more effort now, but it saves you from that heartbreaking “Oh no, that one’s broken” moment next year.

3. Throw Out Items That Won’t Last Another Year

A little decluttering Christmas decorations session now means you’re only storing the pieces you genuinely love, not the random leftovers that keep getting shoved back in the box “just in case”.

• Is it broken or worn out?
• Did I use it this year?
• Do I still like it?

Donate anything still in good condition, and discard damaged or perishable items.

4. Best Places to Store Christmas Decorations

For home storage options, place Xmas items in:

• Linen cupboard
• The top of wardrobes
• Under-stair storage
• A spare room cupboard
• Sturdy plastic tubs on garage shelving (with lids to protect from dust)

If your decorations are bulky or your home storage space is limited, a More Space Storage unit keeps everything safe, dry, and neatly organised all year round. Our Gold Coast storage locations offer clean, accessible options.

Christmas Decoration Storage Checklist

Before pulling everything down and dismantling the tree, gather: 

• Permanent marker
• Sticky labels or masking tape to write on
• Packing tape
• Tissue paper and bubble wrap for fragile items
• Resealable plastic bags for small objects
• Cardboard dividers
• Sturdy cardboard or plastic storage boxes (labelled on top and sides)
• Silica gel packets to control moisture in sealed containers

Your future self will be grateful for the organisation.

How to Store Christmas Decorations & Candles

If you’ve opened a box of loose ornaments only to find fragile baubles in a smashed mess at the bottom, you’ll wish you’d taken the time to use the proper packaging last year. Candles in storage aren’t much better. It only takes one sizzling summer day to warp them completely. To avoid that, use the following materials:

• Dividers: Repurposed wine cartons, cardboard dividers or egg cartons cushion fragile pieces and prevent movement.
• Tissue paper: Fold for smaller items or layer multiple sheets for larger decorations. Wrap each item individually to avoid scratches and chips.
• Bubble wrap: Ideal for breakable or sentimental pieces. Bubble-lined envelopes also work well.
• Resealable plastic bags: Clear bags keep glittery items contained and make colour-sorting or theme-sorting easy.
• Soft fabric for candles: Wrap tapered candles in stockings, tea towels or pantyhose and store in a cool, dry space so they don’t warp.

Storing Christmas Lights

Untangling Christmas lights is an annual frustration — but it doesn’t have to be. Avoid the knotty mess with these methods:

1. Sturdy Cardboard

Grab a few pieces of sturdy cardboard and cut them into rectangles, then gently wrap the lights around each one. Tape the ends to stop them slipping off or unravelling in the box.

2. Coat Hangers

These work surprisingly well. Loop the lights around the hanger in sections and hang them in a wardrobe or pop them on a garage hook. Throw an old sheet over the top, and they’ll stay clean and tangle-free.

3. Cling Wrap

Another easy trick is laying the lights out in straight lines, coiling them loosely, and then wrapping the whole bundle in cling film so they hold their shape. Before you pack them away, label the plug ends with “indoor” or “outdoor” so you don’t have to guess next year.

Storing Your Christmas Tree

A well-stored artificial Christmas tree can last for many years. Here’s how to avoid the bah-humbug and keep it looking full and festive:

1. Original Box

The perfect size match — if you kept it. It helps maintain the tree’s shape and protects the branches.

2. Cling Wrap

Straighten the branches and tightly wrap the whole tree.

Pro tip: If the stand folds, wrap it separately so it doesn’t damage the foliage, then store both together. Cling wrap keeps out dust and insects and makes the tree easy to slide onto a shelf.

3. Garbage Bags

Use only heavy-duty bags to avoid tearing. Dismantle the tree, fold down branches and place sections in separate bags. Store all parts together in one larger box or container.

Storing Wreaths, Tinsel & Wrapping Paper

1. Wreaths

Remove lights, cushion delicate berries and foliage with tissue paper, and store in a cardboard or plastic wreath box to prevent them from becoming misshapen.

2. Garlands

Straighten and store in long boxes or containers.

Xmas hack: Coil beaded garlands into empty plastic bottles to prevent knots.

3. Tinsel

Fold neatly and layer between tissue paper sheets to avoid static, tangles and bending.

4. Wrapping Paper

Stand paper rolls upright in a tub or packing tube. Store labels, cards and leftover sheets flat in a box. Keep bows and ribbons in separate bags to prevent crushing.

Need More Storage Space for Christmas Decorations?

If you’ve run out of room at home or just want everything packed away properly for next year, our Gold Coast teams are here to help. Give us a call – Molendinar (07) 5594 9739.

We’ll help you protect your festive memories and keep your home clutter-free all year long.