Every year it's the same routine.
The holidays roll around, and you head to the garage to find the decorations. They're in cardboard boxes stacked behind the lawn mower. The lights are tangled. Half the boxes aren't labeled. And somewhere in there is the tree stand you know you have but can't find, so you buy another one.
Holiday decorations are one of the biggest sources of garage clutter we see. Here's how to store them so next year is easier.
Declutter Before You Pack Anything Away
The best time to decide what to keep is when you're taking decorations down, not putting them up.
As things come down, set aside:
- Lights that don't work
- Broken ornaments and decorations
- Decor you didn't put out this year
- Duplicates and extras you never use
If you didn't use it this year, there's a good chance you won't next year either. Items in good shape can be donated so another family can enjoy them.
Swap Cardboard Boxes for Clear Bins
Cardboard doesn't hold up well in a Texas garage. It absorbs moisture, gets crushed when stacked, and attracts pests.
Clear plastic bins with lids protect your decorations and let you see what's inside without opening every box. Label each bin on the side that faces out, not just the lid, since you won't see the lid once bins are stacked on a shelf.
Keep Each Holiday Together
Store each holiday in its own set of bins. Christmas stays with Christmas, Halloween with Halloween. Some families like to use a different color label or lid for each holiday so they can tell them apart instantly.
Store Them Up High
This is the most important rule for holiday storage.
Holiday decorations are used once a year. They shouldn't take up the most accessible space in your garage.
High shelves, overhead garage racks, and the back of deep shelving are perfect spots. That keeps prime, easy-to-reach space open for the things you use every week. As we like to say, you shouldn't have to move five bins of Christmas decorations every time you need something you use on the weekend.
Give Lights and Ornaments a Little Extra Care
- Lights: Wrap each strand around a piece of sturdy cardboard or a light reel instead of tossing them in a bin. Next year, they'll come out untangled.
- Ornaments: Use divided containers or egg-carton-style organizers so fragile pieces don't knock into each other.
- Wreaths and garland: Store them in dedicated bags or containers so they keep their shape.
- Artificial trees: An upright tree storage bag takes up less floor space and keeps dust off.
Watch Out for the Texas Heat
DFW garages get very hot in the summer, and some decorations don't handle it well. Consider storing these inside the house instead:
- Candles and anything made of wax
- Delicate or heirloom ornaments
- Photos and paper keepsakes
- Decorations with glued parts that can loosen in the heat
Put the First-Needed Bin in Front
Think about the order you decorate. If the tree goes up first, the tree stand and lights should be in the most accessible holiday bin. Outdoor decorations that go up early can go in front of the indoor items you set out later.
A quick list taped to each bin of what's inside saves a lot of opening and closing next year.
Want Help Getting It All Organized?
Holiday storage is a big part of almost every garage organization project we do. We help homeowners across DFW, including Plano, Garland, Rowlett, Rockwall, and McKinney, sort through the decorations, clear out what's broken or unused, and set up storage so the holidays start a little easier every year.