Once the season is over, it's time to put your Christmas decorations in storage for another year. It can be tricky to take down your tree and trimmings, but the right materials and a little planning can turn it into a quick, trouble-free task. Proper storage is key to making sure their beauty and functionality last through the years. In this guide, we'll show you how to organise and put away your TREE, ORNAMENTS, GREENERY, and CHRISTMAS LIGHTS.
HOW TO STORE ARTIFICIAL CHRISTMAS TREES
Storing your artificial Christmas tree in its original packaging may seem like a good option, but we don't recommend it. A cardboard Christmas tree storage box tends to deteriorate over time and the material is prone to dust, mites, pests, and other elements. Investing in specially designed Christmas tree storage bags ensures that your faux tree is safe from dirt and damage during the off-season.
USE A SPECIAL CHRISTMAS TREE STORAGE BAG
Every Balsam Hill tree comes with a free storage bag made from rip-stop nylon with reinforced handles. We recommend using this Christmas tree bag to keep your tree in great condition over the years. If you want to upgrade, we offer premium CHRISTMAS TREES STORAGE options that feature padded layers and heavy-duty stitching. Choose from a variety of sizes that fit your artificial tree's height and shape, from slim to extra-large. Our rolling tree storage bags are also available for even more convenience, so you can transport your tree from one place to another without any heavy lifting.
CONSIDER AN UPRIGHT CHRISTMAS TREE STORAGE BAG
Our ROLLING CHRISTMAS TREE STORAGE BAG lets you store your tree upright and features wheels so you can just roll it in and out of the space. Once you've removed your ornaments and décor, simply detach the top section and place it in the special compartment, then pull the collapsible bag up and over the tree. Secure the bag to keep out dust and insects, then store your tree in a cool, dry location.
For more Christmas tree storage tips, check our STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE.
How to store Christmas Ornaments
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STEP 1 | PREPARE YOUR CHRISTMAS DECOR STORAGE BOXES
Gather the original packaging of your Christmas ornament sets if they are designed for reuse. If you have a huge collection, consider Christmas décor storage boxes that are designed to hold different styles and shapes. Balsam Hill's STORAGE ITEMS include rolling ornament chests that can fit over 100 pieces. You can also use clear plastic containers that let you see the contents without having to open the lid. This will reduce time spent looking for Christmas decorations when the next festive season rolls around.
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STEP 2 | REMOVE THE ORNAMENTS
Place towels around the base of your Christmas tree to catch any fragile ornaments that might fall while you're taking down decorations. Start removing ornaments from the bottom of the tree and work your way up. Reaching for the topmost accents first may cause you to accidentally dislodge those in the lower sections.
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STEP 3 | ORGANISE YOUR ORNAMENTS
How you organise your Christmas storage for ornaments depends on your preference. Storing them by style, size, or colour makes it easier to decorate according to a specific look. Label the containers and list the contents of each ornament storage box for faster retrieval. For containers without individual compartments, you can purchase or create your own cardboard dividers.
HOW TO STORE OTHER CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS
For RIBBONS AND GARLANDS, carefully unwrap each strand from the tree and wind around a piece of rigid cardboard. Store individually in resealable plastic bags. Avoid storing multiple garland strands in one bag, as they can get tangled or scratched. Irregularly shaped items that do not fit standard ornament boxes, like tree picks and toppers, should be placed in a durable box lined with shredded paper.
Use bubble wrap to secure snow globes and other fragile items before placing them in storage. Place fabric decorations like stockings and tree skirts in a vacuum-sealed bag to keep off pests and dust.
Lasting beauty is one of the many benefits of faux foliage. Through proper care and storage, you can keep your artificial Christmas wreaths, garlands, potted trees, and other greenery in great shape season after season.
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STEP 1 | CLEAN YOUR GREENERY
Remove dust and dirt build-up from the branch tips using a feather duster or a hair dryer set on low. With a microfibre cloth, gently wipe the larger decorations such as leaves and baubles.
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STEP 2 | REMOVE ANY DECORATIONS
Pull out any baubles, picks, and ribbons that are not built into the greenery. Store these accents together with your Christmas tree decorations.
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STEP 3 | COMPRESS THE FOLIAGE
Flatten the tips of your faux greenery and follow the direction of the foliage to better fit your storage bags.
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STEP 4 | PACK AWAY YOUR GREENERY
Store your Christmas wreaths and garlands in their original boxes or invest in storage bags that are specially designed to protect them. Balsam Hill's ROLLING MULTIPURPOSE GREENERY BAG can hold multiple wreaths and garlands in an optimal position that preserves their form and beauty.
For more care and storage tips for artificial greenery, read our GUIDE.
HOW TO STORE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS
Avoid damaged lights and tangled wires with proper Christmas light storage. Taking time to neatly store your light strings also saves you time and effort spent detangling and unwinding strands in the future. Here are easy storage options for you to choose from:
PLASTIC BAGS
Wrap a light strand around your forearm to form a loose circle. To do this, hold one end of the strand in your hand, guide it down around your elbow, and bring it back up to your hand. Secure the resulting bundle with twist ties, then store each bundle in its own plastic zipper bag. Label the bag according to the colour or type of light strand. Finally, place all the bags in a durable plastic bin.
TENSION ROD
Wind a light strand around your hand and transfer it onto a tension rod. Fit the rods lengthwise in a plastic storage bin along with other lighting accessories, such as extension cords, foot pedal switches, and remote controls.
CARDBOARD SHEET
Cut small slits at both ends of a cardboard sheet and wrap individual light strands around the sheet. Use the slits to secure the plugs on either end of the strand. Label each sheet, then stack them in a plastic storage bin.
WIRE SPOOL
Wind each light strand around a wire spool, and label it accordingly. Avoid combining multiple strands in a single spool, as light strings tend to get buried under other strands and may make unspooling a challenge.
Insider’s Tip
MORE TIPS FOR STORING CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS
WHERE TO STORE CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS
After your Christmas decorations are all packed up, it's time to decide where to place them. Look for dry and cool areas that are easily accessible but kept away from small children or pets. Here are some common Christmas decoration storage locations to get you started:
- Garage or storage room
- Attic
- Large cupboards
- Closets
- Cabinets
- Empty shelves
If you're running low on space, try converting empty corners into makeshift storage areas. For example, the space underneath your staircase can house stacks of containers. Turn any unused corner into hidden storage by adding stylish and elegant dividers or folding screens.
HOW TO PROTECT CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS IN STORAGE
KEEP CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS AWAY FROM DIRECT SUNLIGHT
Direct sunlight, prolonged exposure to heat, and excessive moisture can damage your decorations, so keep them away from extreme changes in humidity and temperature. As a precaution, use desiccants to help keep your Christmas storage boxes dry.
PREVENT DAMAGE FROM PESTS
Make sure your containers are sealed tight to keep pests from chewing on the wires and destroying fragile decorations.
STACK BOXES CORRECTLY
Ensure boxes can withstand heavy weight and the occasional bump. Place the heavier box at the bottom and the lighter ones on top.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
ARE CHRISTMAS TREE STORAGE BAGS WATERPROOF?
While made with heavy-duty polyester material, Balsam Hill storage bags are not waterproof. We advise storing in a cool, dry place to prevent your tree from acquiring a musty odour while in storage.
HOW DO YOU HANG CHRISTMAS TREES IN STORAGE BAGS?
We do not recommend hanging your tree for storage. To preserve the shape and quality of your Balsam Hill tree, invest in specialty storage solutions such as our ROLLING CHRISTMAS TREE STORAGE BAG.
HOW SHOULD I ORGANISE MY CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS FOR STORAGE?
An efficient storage system secures your décor and makes it easy for you to find things when you need them. Keep themed sets, as well as extra pieces or replacement parts, together for convenience. Make sure to label boxes, bags, and bins for quicker retrieval.
WHAT ARE THE BEST CHRISTMAS TREE STORAGE BAGS?
Balsam Hill tree storage bags are made with 600D polyester fabric with layers of padding and durable stitching to withstand wear and tear. Our rolling tree bags also come with an all-metal stand and wheels to make transport quick and hassle-free.
HOW DO YOU USE UPRIGHT CHRISTMAS TREE STORAGE BAGS?
Simply detach the top section of your tree and store it in the special compartment. Pull up the collapsible bag over the tree, then roll your tree to its storage spot.
WHO SELLS CHRISTMAS TREE STORAGE BAGS?
Balsam Hill offers Christmas tree storage bags in 3 different sizes: slim, standard, and extra-large. All our storage bags are crafted with durable polyester fabric to protect your tree and preserve its beauty for many years.
We hope this guide gave you useful tips on how to store and organise your Christmas decorations. Browse our collection of storage solutions and other items today.
LEARN MORE
For more seasonal décor storage and care tips, visit the links below.