A Merry Wrap-Up: Your Guide to Organizing & Storing Holiday Décor

There’s a special kind of magic that comes into our homes with the holidays. But once the celebrations wind down and the new year rolls in, it’s time to take the decorations down to be stored away for next year. And though decking the halls can be a fun experience, the take-down is never quite as fun as the put-up.

We’ve got good news for you: with a little planning and some clever organization, the post-holiday clean can feel surprisingly satisfying. And to make things even better, putting a little effort in now will pay off next December when you open your décor bins to find everything tidy & ready to be pulled back out.

We’ve put together a series of tips that are going to make the cleanup portion of the holidays easy & efficient. When it’s time for the holiday takedown, grab a cup of hot cocoa, pop on the last of the holiday tunes, and work your way through this list.

Give Everything a Quick Clean

Taking the time to make sure each item is clean and prepared for storage will save you time later and prevent stains and wear from setting in, making sure that you’re all set to get to the decorating next year.

Wipe down ornaments, décor accents, candle holders, and figurines so that they are completely free of dust or residue. Wash or dry-clean linens such as tablecloths, stockings, and tree skirts – especially anything that might have picked up candle wax, food, or glitter. If you are using serving dishes or cookware that only sees the light of day in December, give them a good wash, dry them fully, and then store them with padding so they’re in perfect condition for your next holiday get-together.

A small round of cleaning now means you won’t open bins next year and find something that needs attention before you can even start decorating

Declutter Before You Store

Putting everything away without decluttering first results in crowded storage, items you forget about, and bins full of things you never actually use. That makes this the perfect time for a refresh of your holiday décor.

Set aside three piles as you go:

• Keep: The décor you truly love, use every year, or sentimental pieces you can’t imagine parting with.
• Donate: Items that are in good condition no longer suit your style, colour theme or space. Holiday décor donations are always welcome and can make the holidays a little brighter for another family next year!
• Toss: Broken ornaments & decor, lights that no longer work, or items beyond repair.

This process keeps your collection manageable, frees up storage space, and prevents next year’s decorating session from feeling overwhelming. You’ll walk into the next holiday season with décor you love and none of the stuff that you might get around to fixing or using – one day.

Snap a Few Pics

Before you take down any garlands or pack up your ornaments, make sure to take photos of the decorated rooms with your phone. This tiny step creates an extremely helpful visual guide for next year. Save these in an album on your phone or computer  – this will become a great reference for next year. You’ll remember exactly where the garland draped best, how you styled your mantel, and all of the little details that made you smile. It also helps you see what worked, what didn’t, and what you might want to refresh next year.

Your future self will thank you!

Group Your Décor for Easy Access

Packing décor into bins randomly makes unpacking the following year feel chaotic. Some of the easiest ways to stay organized include grouping items together so you can easily find the pieces that you need when you need them.

There are a few ways to group your décor – try organizing these by room, by colour, or by type of décor (ie, tree ornaments, tabletop décor, linens, etc.)

Choose a method that works for you and the way you decorate your home. When you’re ready to make your space over next December, everything you need will be right where you expect it to be.

Store Your Ornaments Safely and Thoughtfully

Ornaments always deserve a little extra care, especially when they’re fragile or sentimental. Luckily, some great options will keep them neat & safe:

• Divided ornament boxes: These keep fragile pieces separate and prevent accidental breakage.
• DIY dividers, such as egg cartons or cardboard inserts (wine boxes are perfect for this), work wonders and cost almost nothing.
• Wrap individually: Tissue paper and bubble wrap add cushioning and protection.
• Fill empty space: Add a final layer of tissue paper or bubble wrap to hold everything in place.

Keep Lights Neat and Tangle-Free

Holiday lights can be one of the most frustrating items to store, especially if you want to keep them tidy and tangle-free. Try one of these simple tricks to prevent a wrestling match with your string lights next year:

• Wrap each strand around a piece of sturdy cardboard, a coat hanger, or a spool made for Christmas lights.
• Secure each end lightly with painter’s tape, which removes easily and will keep them together.
• Label each strand so you know exactly where it was used – indoors, outdoors, on the tree.
• Store all lights together in a dedicated bin to avoid crushed bulbs and missing strands.

Next year, you’ll pull them out neatly wrapped and ready to hang… no detangling required!

Protect Your Tree

Artificial trees can last for years when properly stored. First, take off all ornaments, fluff out any branches that got bent during take-down, and check that everything is clean before packing it away.

Here are some easy options for storage:

• Tree storage bags: These keep dust, moisture, and pests away, while giving you sturdy handles to move the tree with ease. A rolling bag is especially helpful if your tree is big or heavy. This is one of the easiest options and will be handy for years to come!
• Original packaging: If your tree originally came in a good box or storage tote, save it for later.
• Keep it assembled: If you have the space, you can store the tree standing upright. Just cover it with a sheet or tree bag and call it a day!

Store Wreaths, Garlands, and Bulky Items Properly

Bulky décor can easily lose its shape and lustre if stored improperly. To keep these items fresh and in shape:

• To preserve the shapes of the wreaths, hang them in a closet, basement or storage space. Cover them with garment bags or old pillowcases to protect against dust.
• Try a wreath bin. These are made with secure lids and holders, preventing them from flattening.
• Place garlands on hooks or rods to avoid crushing.
• Coil and cushion garlands in long plastic bins, if hanging space is limited – think containers designed for under-bed storage.

The key is keeping everything lightly protected and supported so nothing gets flattened or tangled.

 Use Clear Storage Containers

Large bins feel convenient — until you notice that they can hide smaller items, crush fragile pieces, or make you dig around to find what you need. Small and medium containers offer better protection for your décor and will make it easier to organize your items while packing them away.

To make things even easier, opt for clear containers and be sure to label them. This is going to make the unpacking process a breeze next year when everything is easy to find and access!

 Create a Holiday Prep Bin for Next Year

This last step is one of those little secrets that makes decorating unbelievably easy next year – set up a little “holiday prep bin” filled with items you always need first. All of the supplies you regularly reach for or will need to grab quickly while decorating.

Include things like:

• Ornament hooks
• Spare bulbs
• Extra ribbon
• Twist ties and zip ties
• Command hooks
• Extension cords and timers
• Gift wrapping materials
• A roll of tape and scissors

While you pack everything away, get ahead for next year! Make a note or list of things you ran out of or want to replace next year. This list becomes your easy reference when holiday merchandise pops up early in stores or when post-holiday sales hit. No guessing or trying to remember what you need next December!

Next year, when you open your bins to find everything clean, clearly labelled and ready to go, you’ll thank yourself for taking a little extra time after the holidays to make sure everything was packed away properly.

Enjoy the holiday season and give yourself the gift of stress-free holiday prep next year!