22 Essential Tips to Safely Store Holiday Decor When Winter Is Over

Some decor doesn’t hold up well in attics, garages or sheds due to temperature swings and humidity. Store candles, wax decor, wooden figurines, musical snow globes, electronics, fabrics and paper goods in a climate-controlled space to protect them from warping, cracking or mold. If you’re short on room at home, a climate-controlled storage unit offers a reliable way to keep your decorations pristine until next season.

Make your holiday storage stress-free by packing decorations into clear plastic bins. This way, you can see exactly what’s inside without rummaging through each container. For even more organization, group similar items together — like tree ornaments, lights and wreath accessories — and label each bin. Stackable clear bins also save space and keep your decor safe from dust and moisture.

Wreaths and garlands lose their shape quickly if they’re packed too tightly. Hang wreaths on sturdy hangers and slip a trash bag or dry-cleaning bag over each one to block dust and insects. For garlands, gently coil them into an airtight Cambro or clear bin so the branches don’t tangle or flatten. If your garland includes built-in ornaments or berries, wrap those delicate pieces in tissue paper before coiling to prevent scratches.

Items like cinnamon-scented pinecones, potpourri and holiday sachets can lose their fragrance over time if they’re not stored correctly. To keep their festive scent intact, seal them in airtight zip-top bags or vacuum-sealed pouches. Not only will this preserve their aroma, but it will also prevent any odors from transferring to other items in storage. When next year rolls around, your home will smell just as festive as it looks!

Faux garlands are built to last, but only if you store them properly. Start by gently draping the garland over your arm as you take it down — this prevents tangling and damage. Then, coil it neatly and place it inside an inexpensive, airtight plastic cambro. If your garland has ornaments, wrap them in tissue paper and tuck them into the empty spaces within the coils for added protection. 

Candles, wax figurines and other heat-sensitive decor can warp or melt when stored improperly. Slide tapered candles into toilet paper or paper towel rolls filled with tissue to help them keep their shape. Place all wax decor in a cool, temperature-stable environment — ideally a climate-controlled space. This prevents softening, bending and color fading so your candles look crisp and clean year after year.

Holiday lights are magical — until you’re battling a mess of cords and busted bulbs. Save yourself the frustration next year by wrapping your string lights around a sturdy cardboard rectangle (cut notches along the edges to hold the wires in place) or even an old coat hanger. Once wrapped, stack them upright in a box or hang them neatly in a closet.

Electronics — including battery-operated candles, musical figurines, pre-lit wreaths and wire-frame yard decor — all need a quick inspection before storage. Remove every battery to avoid leaks that corrode compartments and ruin the device. Check cords for fraying, replace dim or cracked bulbs, and pack remotes, chargers, and replacement fuses in a clearly labeled pouch.

Keep delicate items — including dishware, ornaments, menorahs, kinaras and keepsakes — safe with thoughtful packing. Cushion holiday dishes with coffee filters or felt and store them vertically in a dish packaging box to prevent cracking. Place small ornaments in egg cartons or create your own organizer by gluing plastic cups to a cardboard sheet that fits inside a bin. For fragile metal or glass pieces, wrap each item individually in bubble wrap and store them in small, sturdy boxes so nothing shifts.

Bead garlands are festive but can quickly become a knotted mess in storage. Here’s a clever solution: slide them into empty plastic water bottles to keep them neatly separated. No bottles on hand? A Mason jar works just as well — perfect if you’re aiming to reduce waste while staying organized.

Stains from holiday meals can set over time and attract pests, so wash or dry-clean all linens before packing them away. Fold them neatly and use vacuum-sealed bags to save space and block moisture. If you have attractive winter throws or pillows, consider keeping them out as décor instead of packing them away — they add texture and warmth well beyond the holiday season.

Holiday dishes can be surprisingly fragile, even when they’re tucked away. Protect them by layering each piece with coffee filters, felt, white packing paper, bubble pack and/or cloth napkins. For extra safety, store them in a Dish Barrel® Box and arrange them vertically, like you’re loading a dishwasher. Fill any gaps in the box with crumpled paper to prevent shifting, and you’ll have one less thing to worry about next year.

Avoid the heartbreak of broken ornaments with a little DIY ingenuity. An egg carton works wonders for small Christmas tree ornaments, or you can craft custom storage caddies by gluing plastic party cups onto cardboard sheets that fit snugly inside a storage bin. These layers can even be stacked! For more delicate items, like menorahs or kinaras, wrap them in bubble wrap and tuck them into shoeboxes or other sturdy containers for added protection.

Before you dismantle your decor, snap photos of key spaces: mantel arrangements, porch displays, dining table setups and tree ornament placement. When next year arrives, you’ll have a reference guide that saves time and eliminates guesswork. Store these pictures in a phone album labeled “Holiday Decor [YEAR],” so they’re easy to pull up right when you need them.

Keep gift bags and holiday cards organized with a simple trick: magazine files. Label one “HOLIDAYS” and stand your reusable bags and card bundles upright for easy access. If you’re storing them in a garage, attic or storage unit, slip the magazine file into a larger box to keep out dust, dirt and pests.

Skip the hassle of disassembling your artificial tree every year. Instead, grab a roll of cling wrap and bundle it up tightly. This not only saves storage space but also keeps it dust-free. When the holidays roll around, just cut off the plastic and fluff the branches — it’s that easy. Need a step-by-step guide? Check out Epbot for foolproof instructions.

Don’t let your cozy winter throws and pillows take up prime closet space. Instead, let them double as decor. Neutral or patterned blankets can be draped over a chic ladder in your living room, while pillows can stay handy in decorative baskets or under nesting end tables, making it easy to grab them for chilly nights year-round.

Instead of letting wrapping paper, ribbons, and tags migrate around your home, consolidate them into a dedicated wrapping station. Store rolls upright in a tall hamper, garment bag or narrow storage bin so the edges don’t crumple. Keep smaller tools — scissors, tape, pre-cut ribbon, tissue paper and gift tags — in stackable boxes that slide onto a closet shelf or into a hanging wardrobe organizer. 

As you pack, set aside a small bin labeled “Open First.” Fill it with the items you always find yourself hunting for: spare bulbs, hooks, clips, light timers, extension cords, ornament hangers, fuses, zip ties, twist ties, scissors and tape. Keeping all the small but essential accessories in one place makes next year’s decorating much smoother and prevents unnecessary repurchases.

A simple checklist — digital or handwritten — helps you keep track of what you own. Note what’s in each bin, what needs replacing and what you no longer use. This prevents overbuying next year and makes your setup faster and more intentional. If you rent with SmartStop, you can download the SmartStop Storage App and use the built-in inventory tracker.

Holiday decorations can quickly crowd your living space, especially in smaller homes or apartments. If you’re feeling cramped, consider moving your winter decor to a secure, climate-controlled storage unit. Not only will it free up space, but it’ll also keep your items safe and ready for the next season. At SmartStop, we offer the perfect solutions for seasonal storage — check out our blog for more tips and ideas.