Taking down your Christmas decorations isn’t nearly as fun as putting them up, but these handy storage hacks and solutions will make it a breeze – and future you will thank you
With the new year now fast approaching, it’s time to start thinking about getting those Christmas decorations down and packed away and returning your house to normal. Although taking them down isn’t nearly as fun as putting them up, finding clever ways to store them can make the task a lot less daunting.
Not only will these handy storage solutions make packing away your decor less stressful, it’ll also make it a whole lot easier to get them back out again next year. From designated bauble boxes to reels that’ll keep your lights from getting tangled, these are some of the best clever storage hacks we’ve found.
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How to store your Christmas tree decorations
SONGMICS Large Christmas Decoration Storage Box, £20.40
Despite being one of the smaller Christmas decorations, baubles and tree ornaments are notoriously tricky to store. To make sure none get broken between now and next December, this handy storage box is perfect.
The box has three layers with 54 individual slots measuring 10.2cm, perfect for keeping them snug and secure. If you have ones that are larger or an awkward shape, each of the dividers are adjustable, so you can alter them to fit around your decorations.
How to store Christmas lights
Christmas Light Storage Bag, £11.99
Ezy Lights Storage Box, £14.99 (was £19.99)
If there’s one decoration we can all agree is a nightmare to store (not to mention put up and take down) it’s the Christmas lights. Whether they’re going on your tree or hanging up outside, keeping them untangled and in working order is a challenge. Luckily, however, we found two great solutions.
Amazon’s Christmas Light Storage Bag comes with slots for three different sets of lights, and each slot has its very own reel to wind your lights around. You just wrap the lights around the reel and pop it inside the canvas bag, zipping it up ready to be unwound next year.
Meanwhile at Lakeland, the Ezy Lights Storage Box is a more solid, stackable solution. It comes in a 31 litre clear box and contains four removable spools to wrap your lights around, keeping them separate and neatly stored.
How to store your Christmas tree
Heavy Duty Christmas Tree Storage, £15.98
Another notoriously tricky item to store is your Christmas tree. Not only is it bulky and awkward, but it takes up a lot of space, and the branches can cause regular bags and wrappers to tear when you’re getting them in and out.
That’s why we’re loving this heavy duty canvas storage bag which can fit Christmas trees up to nine feet tall inside. If your tree is smaller, it gives you extra room for garlands or wreaths to be tucked inside too. It also has triple reinforced handles and a double zipper, and helps protect your artificial tree from moisture and dust.
How to store your wrapping paper
Wrap Fabric Storage Bag, £6.49
There’s nothing more annoying than ending up with lots of perfectly good wrapping paper after Christmas and knowing that it’ll inevitably get ripped or damaged before next December rolls around. That’s why we love storing it in a handy bag like this Amazon one, which has space for seven rolls of wrapping paper, as well as compartments for tags, bows and ribbons. That way, when it comes to wrapping your presents next year, you just need to whip open the bag and you’ll have everything you need.
How to store your stockings, tree skirts and bedding
Lakeland Vacuum Clothes and Duvet Storage Tote Bag, £22.99
For all those fabric items that make up your festive decorations, proper storage is essential to stop them getting mildewy or motheaten. Things like stockings, tree skirts, cushion covers and bedding that you bring out each year would benefit from being vacuum packed to keep them clean and safe.
Lakeland currently has these easy-to-use vacuum pack bags that have enough space for a king size duvet and four pillows, which will give you plenty of room for your festive fabrics. Not only will the vacuum packing keep them clean and dry, but it also makes them much easier to store in a cupboard or under the bed until next year.
