Lessons from opening other people’s storage units: how to pack decorations, lights and keepsakes so they last.
We open a lot of storage units. And we see, over and over, what happens to holiday decorations that were packed in a hurry on January 2nd: crushed ornaments, tangled lights, water-stained boxes, and keepsakes that did not survive a few summers in the heat. Here is what we have learned about doing it right.
Ditch the cardboard
Cardboard absorbs moisture, attracts pests and collapses under weight. Lidded plastic bins are the single biggest upgrade. Clear bins let you see what is inside without opening them.
Wrap fragile things individually
Use tissue paper, bubble wrap or egg cartons for small ornaments. Divided ornament boxes are worth it for glass. Put heavier items on the bottom and fragile ones on top.
Lights: wrap, do not wad
Wrap light strings around a piece of cardboard, a hanger, or a reel. Test them before packing and toss broken strands now, so you are not untangling dead lights in December.
Mind the temperature
Central Valley summers are hard on stored items. Heat warps candles, cracks paint, and dries out wreaths. A climate-stable spot inside the house beats an attic or a hot garage for anything delicate.
Label everything
Write what is in each bin and which room it belongs to. “Living room, mantel, fragile” makes next year’s decorating twice as fast.
Keep a keepsake box separate
Handmade ornaments, kids’ drawings, holiday cards, letters. Put these in their own clearly labeled, well-protected box. They are irreplaceable, and they are the things families most regret losing.
Edit as you pack
If you did not put something out this year, consider whether you really want to store it for another. Decorations in good condition sell well in October and November.
What we see when the door rolls up
When a storage unit opens after years of sitting, holiday decorations are often near the back, behind furniture and boxes that were moved in later. Their condition tells a story. Bins with lids are usually fine. Cardboard boxes are often crushed, stained or chewed. Strands of lights are tangled into knots. Candles have melted into odd shapes. Wreaths have dried and shed.
The decorations that survive best share a few traits: sturdy containers, careful wrapping, stable temperatures and clear labels. Following the same practices at home protects your decorations for decades.
Choosing the right containers
Not all storage containers are equal:
- Plastic bins with secure lids: best for most decorations. Choose sturdy ones that stack without bending.
- Ornament storage boxes: divided compartments protect fragile glass.
- Wreath bags or boxes: keep wreaths from being crushed.
- Tree storage bags: protect artificial trees from dust and damage.
- Light reels or cards: prevent tangles.
- Small containers for hardware: hooks, extra bulbs, clips and stands.
Avoid garbage bags. They tear, trap moisture and do not protect against crushing.
Organizing by room or by use
There are two good ways to organize holiday storage. Room-based storage puts all decorations for each room in their own bins, so you can carry a bin to the living room and unpack everything there. Category-based storage groups similar items, such as all lights, all ornaments and all table linens. Room-based storage tends to speed up decorating, while category-based storage makes it easier to see what you have. Choose the one that fits how you decorate.
Storing artificial trees
Artificial trees are expensive and easily damaged. To store them well:
- Fluff branches down before disassembling
- Label sections if they are not marked
- Store in a tree bag or the original box
- Keep the stand and any hardware together
- Store flat or upright, but avoid stacking heavy items on top
Pre-lit trees benefit from a quick light test before storage, so you can replace bulbs or fix strands while it is easy.
Protecting fabric and paper items
Tree skirts, stockings, table linens and paper decorations need special care. Wash or clean fabrics before storing, because stains and food residue attract pests. Store them dry and folded in breathable fabric bags or bins with a little airflow. Paper decorations should be kept flat, in folders or boxes, away from moisture and sunlight.
Creating a decoration inventory
A short list or photo inventory of your decorations can save time and money. Before packing, photograph each bin’s contents and save the photos in a holiday folder. Next year, you will know exactly what you have before buying anything new. It also helps if you ever need to document belongings for insurance or moving.
Deciding what to keep
Packing away decorations is the perfect time to edit. Ask:
- Did we use this this year?
- Is it broken or worn out?
- Do we have duplicates?
- Does anyone in the family love it?
Decorations you no longer want can be donated, given to family members or sold the following fall, when buyers are looking. Lighter storage means easier decorating next year.
The special box
Every family should have one box that holds the most precious holiday items: the ornaments children made, letters to and from Santa, cards from relatives who are no longer here, and photos from Christmases past. Store this box in the safest, most climate-stable place in your home, not in the garage or a storage unit. Label it clearly, and let everyone in the family know what it is. When people talk about what they would grab in an emergency, this box is often on the list.
A packing order that works
- Take photos of how things were arranged so setup is easier next year.
- Test lights and set aside anything broken.
- Wrap fragile items, then sort by room.
- Pack heavy at the bottom, light on top.
- Label every bin on two sides and the lid.
- Store keepsakes separately, indoors.
What not to store
Food-based decorations, real greenery and anything damp should not go into long-term storage. They attract pests and mildew that spread to everything nearby. We have seen what happens in the units, and it is not pretty.
Questions we hear about holiday storage
Is the garage a good place to store decorations?
For sturdy items in sealed bins, it can work. For candles, delicate ornaments, paper items and keepsakes, a climate-stable spot inside the house is better, because garages can get very hot in Central Valley summers.
How do I keep lights from tangling?
Wrap them around a piece of cardboard, a reel or a hanger, and secure the ends. Label each strand with its length and where it was used.
What should I do with broken ornaments?
Discard broken glass safely, wrapped in paper. Some families save pieces from sentimental ornaments to use in crafts or keepsake displays.
Should I keep original boxes?
For valuable or vintage items, yes, because collectors value them. For everyday decorations, sturdy bins usually protect better than worn cardboard.
How can I prevent pests in stored decorations?
Store items clean and dry, avoid food-based decorations, use sealed bins and check storage areas occasionally.
A simple post-holiday packing day
Many families treat packing up decorations as a chore, but it can be a pleasant tradition too. Choose a day in early January, put on music and give everyone a job. One person takes photos of decorated rooms for reference. Another tests lights. Kids can wrap unbreakable decorations and label bins. When everything is packed, celebrate with a simple treat.
Packing day is also a good time to start next year’s list. Note what needs replacing, what you have too much of and what you want to add. When fall arrives, that list helps you shop secondhand with purpose rather than buying on impulse.
Why careful storage is worth it
Decorations are rarely expensive individually, but replacing a whole collection adds up. More importantly, many decorations carry memories that cannot be replaced. A few hours of careful packing each year protects both your money and your family’s traditions, so the boxes you open next December bring back good memories instead of broken surprises.
Key takeaways
- Replace cardboard with sturdy, lidded plastic bins.
- Wrap fragile pieces individually and pack heavy items at the bottom.
- Test lights before storing and wrap them around reels or cards.
- Keep candles, paper and keepsakes indoors, away from summer heat.
- Label bins on several sides with contents and room.
- Photograph your setup and your bin contents for next year.
- Edit as you pack, and keep a special box for irreplaceable items.
Careful packing today means a faster, happier decorating day next year, and fewer heartbreaks when the boxes come out.
If you have more decorations than you use, consider selling some in the fall. Another family will get to enjoy them, and you will have less to store.
What families keep
In the units we open, the things people clearly treasured were rarely expensive. They were letters, cards, photos and handmade things with a child’s name on them. Paper memories last when they are stored with care.
If you want to add one more of those to this year’s keepsake box, here is a lovely, free one.
Got a storage find you want to sell, or something specific you are hunting for? Tell us what you have or join the local Facebook group.