Genius Ways to Store and Organize Holiday Ornaments

Plastic totes are durable, stackable and can protect your decorations from dust, moisture, and even accidental bumps. They also come in different sizes.

Since ornaments are generally small, it’s best to use larger plastic totes and organize them inside smaller containers.

You can use divided trays or soft fabric organizers inside the tote for delicate pieces, keeping them from shifting around.

Storage Tips:

• You can use smaller totes for your lights. Wrap them around a piece of cardboard. Then, secure the ends with tape, and store them in a small container inside the tote. Don’t forget to label each set so you know which lights are which (like indoor, outdoor, or specific colors).
• Do the same with garlands. Coil them gently and place them in a small box or clear bag to keep them from getting squished. If you have garlands with delicate designs, wrap them in bubble wrap before placing them in the smaller container.
• As for tree toppers, keep them separate from other decorations to avoid accidental breaks. Use tissue or bubble wrap, store them in a smaller container, and place them at the top of the tote so they’re easy to find and safe from being crushed.

Wreaths can be delicate, especially those decorated with pinecones, berries, and other ornaments.

They can easily get crushed or lose shape if not stored properly. Place them in a sturdy container with plenty of padding to protect them from damage.

The good news is that many stores already sell containers made just for wreaths, usually round cases that help protect their shape and decorations.

Looking for other options? You can also use zippered bags or a shallow storage bin to keep them safe from being squished.

Another great idea is to use the large storage bins you already have.

Just create dividers with cardboard or soft fabric to store multiple wreaths or add padding for a single wreath. Also, don’t forget to line the bottom and sides of the bin with cloth to cushion it.

Christmas balls are a staple on almost every Christmas tree. They come in a wide range of colors and styles—some even have fine glitter or delicate beadwork.

Do you own some of those handmade ones with intricate details? You need to store them properly to keep them looking their best year after year.

Choose storage with individual compartments for your Christmas balls. There are plenty of store-bought options that can hold a large number of ornaments—often up to 64 or even more!

These storage bins usually have layers of compartments, stacking trays, or dividers to save space and keep each ornament safe.

You can even move the dividers to store bigger ornaments alongside your Christmas balls.

Here are some DIY options if you can’t find a similar storage bin:

• Use cardboard to create dividers for a regular storage bin. Just cut pieces to fit and slide them in to create separate compartments for each ornament.
• Tape plastic cups to the bottom of a box or shallow bin. Each cup can hold one ornament. This DIY works great for other small ornaments too, not just balls. Add a layer of cardboard on top and repeat if you need more layers.
• Empty egg cartons are another great option. They’re padded and keep delicate pieces separated without taking up much space.

Fabric bags can also be used to store ornaments, but they work best for non-fragile ornaments or those without delicate details.

If you have handmade ones, you might want to wrap them in tissue paper or bubble wrap before placing them in the fabric bag.

Also, if you're storing multiple ornaments in a single bag, wrap each one separately to prevent them from scratching or tangling.

Another thing to consider with fabric bags is that, while they provide some protection from dust, they won’t be as fully sealed as plastic containers.

Some dust may get through, especially over time or if they’re stored in an attic or garage.

The best approach is to place ornaments in fabric bags for padding and then put the bags in a plastic bin for extra protection.

Zipper bags are handy for keeping smaller items organized. You can use them for your Christmas lights, which can be neatly coiled and stored without tangling.

But zipper bags are usually flat, which makes them less ideal for storing Christmas balls and other fragile ornaments.

The bags can put pressure on delicate details or cause the ornaments to shift and potentially get damaged.

This storage option works best for more flexible items, like string lights or garlands, or for flat ornaments that don’t have fragile elements.

With all the ornaments you’re planning to store, you’ll probably end up with a lot of plastic bins.

Why not build wooden shelves and use them to organize and store your large totes?

You can either purchase pre-made shelving or build custom shelves to fit the exact dimensions of your storage bins.

Planning a wooden shelving DIY project? Here are the things you need:

Steps:

1. Measure the height, width, and depth of your plastic bins. Decide how many shelves you’ll need and make sure there’s enough space between each shelf for easy access to your bins.
2. Cut four vertical support pieces for the corners and as many shelf pieces as you’ll need for your bins. Each shelf piece should match the length and width you want for the shelves.
3. Sand any rough edges to prevent splinters and give your shelves a smooth finish.
4. Assemble the frame. Attach the top and bottom shelf pieces to the four corner supports to create a basic frame. Use a power drill and screws to secure each corner.
5. Attach the remaining shelves, spacing them evenly to fit the height of your totes. Use a level to keep each shelf straight.
6. If you’re placing the shelves in a garage or against a wall, anchor the shelving unit to the wall to make it more stable.