10 Holiday Decoration Storage Ideas and Organization Tips
The holidays are a time filled with unforgettable moments that you can cherish with your loved ones. From hosting family get-togethers and whipping up your favorite holiday treats, there's so much to look forward to.
But once the season is over, you might find yourself wondering what to do with all the ornaments, the Christmas tree, and other festive decorations. Don't worry, we’ve got you covered! Taking care of your holiday decorations and delicate glassware is crucial if you want them to be in tip-top shape for the next holiday season. It's not just about storing them away, though. Getting organized is the key to easily finding and bringing out your beloved items when the time comes.
Not sure where to get started? U-Haul has a plethora of solutions that will make it easier than ever to get your holiday decorations packed away and stored until next year (and help you find them, too).
1. Use Your Phone to Get Organized
Everyone wants to be organized. But when push comes to shove, it’s much easier to toss your things into any old box and stuff the box wherever it fits. That might seem okay at the time, but you'll regret it next year when you can't remember where you put grandma's fine china.
Introducing the My Belongings Organizer – a feature available for free on the U-Haul App that’s designed to help you efficiently manage your stored belongings. With this feature, you can:
- Create an inventory of your boxes.
- Label boxes with precision.
- Capture photos of the items inside.
- Conveniently access this information on the go.
All data is stored securely on your device so you won’t need Wi-Fi to access your box details. Rest assured, U-Haul respects your privacy and has no access to the contents of your boxes. Watch the video below to see exactly how the My Belongings Organizer works:
Cell Kit & Dish Barrel Box
2. Try Cardboard Dividers for Ornaments
Cardboard box dividers, like those in the Cell Kit, make it easy to quickly stash each ornament in a secure, isolated compartment. Cell Kit dividers are adjustable, so you can protect each ornament, no matter how oddly shaped. The cells also help with organization, if you want to store your ornaments in a more orderly fashion.
The Cell Kit pairs perfectly with the Dish Barrel® Box (sold separately) to provide a durable, spacious container for your holiday decorations. For added protection, consider using reusable foam pouches, packing paper, or cushion foam to wrap each ornament individually.
3. Make Use of Packing Supplies
Use cushioning around fragile items, such as your holiday decorative village sets, holiday crystal, candle holders, and glass ball ornaments. Biodegradable packing peanuts are perfect for protecting fragile holiday items, particularly oddly shaped and oversized decorations. Packing peanuts are also a useful void filler that keeps your items immobilized inside the box and prevents shifting. Learn more about the top packaging materials offered by U-Haul.
4. Bundle, Bundle, Bundle
Plastic Wrap can be used in many ways. For example, shrink-wrapping the different sections of your artificial Christmas tree will help make each section smaller and easier to pack in your box or bag. If you have any open containers such as miscellaneous kitchen supplies or holiday-specific silverware, this stretch wrap can be used to bundle these items together so they’re easier to pack and find in storage next holiday season.
Grand Wardrobe Box: Perfect for Trees!
5. Box-Up Your Christmas Tree to Save Space
Wardrobe Boxes are great for moving and storing clothes, but they can also be used for storing larger items that need a uniquely-shaped box, such as holiday lawn decorations and figurines, and you guessed it, your Christmas tree. Our Grand Wardrobe Box is a great match for trees that are over six feet tall. Our Sport Utility Box is a better fit for trees that are under six feet tall.
6. Plastic Storage Bins: Simple and Effective
Storing lights in a plastic storage container will give you plenty of room to organize and separate the different strands, making for a much easier unpacking experience in the future. Plastic storage bins are also designed for easy stacking. Put similar products in each storage container, like your living room decorations, bathroom décor, and kitchen specific items for even more organized storage.
7. Use Specialty Boxes for Wine
It's common to finish your gatherings with friends and family with some leftover wine or liquor that you'd prefer to store until next season. It's best to properly store your wine or liquor in a bottle storage container, rather than loosely in the pantry or storage closet. The interior packaging of these wine shippers is made from honeycomb, which is a recyclable Kraft paper, and it provides safe and efficient storage for your bottles.
Mirror & Picture Box
8. Protect Framed Photos in Picture Boxes
Framed photos and decorative art are often expensive and difficult to replace, so it is important to store them with care. Use Mirror & Picture Boxes to secure the corners before placing it into its box and give your framed artwork or photos the best protection you can while they're in storage for the spring and summer. Learn more about packing pictures and framed items for storage.
9. Bag-Up Wreaths and Christmas Trees
A Wreath & Garland Bag will help you protect and store your decorative wreaths and trees from dust and dirt. You can also coil your garlands inside the bag for added organization. A Christmas Tree Storage Bag will help save you the hassle of trying to fit the tree in the original Christmas tree box, as the bag easily zips up. Each Christmas tree bag comes with handles for easy hauling to and from your storage area.
For maximum protection, pair a Christmas Tree Storage Bag with a Wardrobe Box or Sport Utility Box so your tree stays in excellent condition for many holiday seasons to come.
10. For Everything Else, Boxes Are Your Friend
It may not come as a surprise but moving boxes are a staple when it comes to storing your stuff. U-Haul has moving boxes for sale in a variety of sizes and styles so you can find a box that's right for your holiday items. If holiday shopping has left you feeling drained, you can order moving boxes online and have your boxes delivered on the same day in most cases for a convenient post-holiday packing experience.
Don’t fret about how you will store all your holiday decorations. Get started today with our post-holiday storage solutions, then use the My Belongings Organizer available for free on the U-Haul to get organized like never before!