Holiday decorations often hold a special place in our hearts, whether it’s a precious tree topper passed down through generations, a handmade ornament from your child, or nostalgic bubble lights that trim your tree each year. No matter what the item may be, we want to pack away our holiday décor as carefully as possible so that it remains safe until next year. As the holiday season comes to a close, you should begin planning your packing strategy so that you can effectively store your treasured valuables. Here are 10 tips for packing your decorations:

Gather the Right Supplies

Your packing supplies will be determined by what items you’re storing. While it is recommended to use the original packaging and boxes that an item came in, sometimes those are unavailable. Some great supplements to have on hand include:

• Ornament storage boxes with separated sections for each ornament
• Plastic wrapping paper containers with a lockable lid
• Wreath containers
• Bubble wrap with perforations
• Foam packing sheets
• Foam packing pouches
• Labels for easy identification
• Storage reels (for lights)
• Fragile stickers

Use Double Packing the Christmas Tree

The cardboard box your Christmas tree came in can be a suitable option when storing at home. But, if your tree finds itself being stashed in the basement, shed, or storage unit, you should double down on the packing. If your tree comes apart in sections, put each section in a plastic Christmas tree bag or leaf bag. Pack the bagged sections in a heavy-duty “tough tote.”

Opt for Ornament-Specific Storage Containers

Whether you’re storing your ornaments in your home or transporting them to your storage unit, take care wrapping each ornament individually. Small foam packing pouches make for great wrapping, as do bubble bags and bubble wrap. Ornament-specific storage containers are the way to go and are worth the extra cost. Some options consist of drawers with dividers for each ornament, while others are made up of stackable layers with dividers. Cardboard ornament boxes are lightweight and are best when storing ornaments at home. Plastic ornament containers are more durable, will be better in transport, and are a good choice for your storage unit. Non-breakable, plastic ornaments should be packed together at bottom of the box, with more fragile, glass ornaments separate. Label the box and add a fragile sticker.

Use a Storage Reel for Lights

Holiday light storage reels are inexpensive and the best way to go to ensure that lights stay untangled. Wrap both indoor and outdoor lights around the reel and secure the end with a piece of tape. Wrap the lights in packing paper or bubble wrap and then put them into a storage bin. It may be tempting to try and jam the lights back into the little box they came in, but that can lead to unmanageable tangles you’ll have to conquer next year.

If you cannot secure a storage reel, there are many other ways to store your Christmas lights using items you already have around your home. For additional information check out this video that identifies a handful of quick ways you can store your Christmas lights.

Pack Items by Room

For easy unpacking next holiday season, pack your items based on the room they’re displayed in. You may have a lot of snowman figurines, but if you put some in your living room and some in your kitchen, divide them up into different boxes. If you have two trees, use two ornament boxes and designate one container for each room.

It will make sense to group some items by type – such as wreaths & ornaments – especially if they require special containers (such as a plastic wreath container). Once your boxes are packed, make sure to label each box with the holiday name & designated room. Add a fragile sticker to anything that needs to be packed on top.

Some other tips & tricks:

A few other considerations when packing your holiday décor include:

• Using a tall plastic bin specific for wrapping paper. It will help keep the paper dry and fresh.

• Wrap pieces of plastic around garland so it resembles a snake. Once the garland is protected in plastic, neatly roll it and pack it into a large heavy-duty plastic container or leaf bag.

• Store holiday pillows, blankets, and bedding in an airtight, plastic container to help prevent a musty smell.

• Remove all batteries! That cute singing snowman may sing no more if batteries are left in and leak. Batteries are susceptible to damage from fluctuations in temperature and can also break down.

• Ceramic villages, like the one your mother used to put underneath the tree, should be packed away in their original boxes. These boxes have been custom-designed to fit all of the angles & delicate details of each building. Individual boxes can then be carefully stacked into a larger plastic tote and marked with a fragile sticker.

Once the holidays are over, no one wants to be left with a mess of décor and the headache that comes along with it. By putting a packing plan in place, you will be ready to take everything down – and easily set it back up eleven months later. If there is no place left in your home to store your seasonal items, it may be time to consider a storage unit. At Prime Storage, we have standard and climate control units that can address all of your décor storage needs. Find a Prime Storage location near you by visiting primestoragegroup.com.