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Wondering how to store Christmas decorations and ornaments so they won’t break? Keep scrolling to find out my top Christmas ornament storage solutions!
This post about Christmas ornament storage ideas was written by family travel expert Marcie Cheung. It may contain affiliate links, meaning if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost. All opinions remain my own.
Let’s be honest: how many broken Christmas trinkets did you find this year when you decorated your tree? Don’t you just wish there was an easy and safe way how to store Christmas ornaments?
I admit I found several broken ornaments in my box this year, and I know it’s because I didn’t pack them properly. Oops!
Usually, I’m much better about taking my time and ensuring all my Christmas accessories are secure before packing them away for next year.
But, last year, my family was battling the flu, and I quickly shoved them all in a plastic tub and crossed my fingers.
I thought I’d be okay since we primarily use soft and shatterproof ornaments to childproof our Christmas tree.
However, I still found paper ornaments that had ripped, soft ornaments with holes in them, and ornament balls missing the top part.
We moved all our Christmas stuff from our basem*nt to the rafters in our garage, which might have been the reason behind some of the broken ornaments.
So, this year, I’m taking my time and going back to packing each ornament carefully to ensure safe Christmas ornament storage.
Keep scrolling to use these simple tips to store fragile Christmas decorations so that nothing gets broken while in storage.
Best Way to Store Christmas Ornaments FAQs
How do you declutter Christmas ornaments?
Before storing Christmas decorations and ornaments, take a few minutes to check for any broken ornaments. If you don’t think they are worth fixing, throw them out. Then, see if you have any ornaments that don’t “spark joy” or no longer go with your Christmas tree theme. You can donate these or gift them.
What do you do with too many of them?
If you have a ton of Christmas trinkets (too many for your tree) but aren’t ready to part with them, there are a few creative options. Add them to a Christmas wreath, hang them from garland on your stairs, put them in a clear vase, or decorate your mantle.
Should you store Christmas decorations in your garage or shed?
You can, as long as they are in an airtight container. We usually use clear plastic tubs with big labels on them. Avoid using cardboard boxes as these can get damp, moldy, or even allow rodents to chew their way in (ew).
Christmas Ornament Storage Solutions
Use Original Packaging
When you prepare to take your Christmas Tree down this year, use creative ideas to keep your fragile ornaments from breaking in storage before next Christmas.
Many fragile Christmas tree ornaments come in special boxes for store display and safe travel to your home.
Keep these boxes, and store those ornaments safely away in the manufacturer’s packaging.
Collect Shoeboxes
You should also keep a shoebox or other small box to store fragile Christmas ornaments in.
If you keep the breakable ornaments in smaller boxes, they are less likely to break while in storage. These smaller boxes can then be placed inside your larger Christmas storage boxes.
The trick is to pack the ornaments tightly in the box so there isn’t room for the ornaments to move around and break.
These are my favorite small boxes to use. I love how sturdy they are to use year after year!
Use Large Boxes or Plastic Totes
If you do not have a Christmas storage box, you can create one with a box that a large gift came in or purchase a plastic tote from Amazon.
The benefit of having these Christmas ornament storage boxes is that they keep all your decorations and ornaments together in one place, so you can easily find everything you need next December.
While buying this set of 6 plastic bins might seem overkill right now, you’ll probably need more than you originally thought to pack up all your Christmas stuff.
And you’ll want to ensure all your bins are the same brand so the lids can be interchangeable.
There’s nothing more annoying than trying to match a bunch of random lids to storage containers! Check the prices of my favorite storage bins here!
How to Store Delicate Christmas Ornaments
Although many ornaments will have their own special box to keep them safe, others do not have this luxury.
Whether you lost the box or never had a box for the ornament, you need to come up with creative packaging ideas to keep these ornaments in one piece for the next Christmas season.
Shred Wrapping Paper
If you save the wrapping paper from Christmas presents, you can shred this paper and use it as packaging for your delicate ornaments.
If you do not have a shredder and do not have the patience to shred the paper by hand, crumple it up and gently pack it around the ornaments.
I don’t recommend using newspapers because the ink can rub off on your ornaments.
Save Tissue Paper
If you tend to get a lot of presents in gift bags, chances are you’ll end up with a lot of tissue paper. The same goes for clothing items.
Set all those aside to reuse them when packing your Christmas ornaments and decorations.
Use Packing Peanuts
If you’re like my family, you probably order many items online.
You can also save the foam peanuts or other packaging materials that came in those packages received in the mail.
We tend to use an empty box to collect all the packing peanuts so it’s in one place when we’re ready to pack things up.
Save Bubble Wrap
Lastly, it doesn’t get much better than bubble wrap to protect your most treasured ornaments.
Make sure to save any bubble wrap that comes in items you buy leading up to Christmas.
You can also purchase bubble wrap and cut to fit the exact size of your more fragile ornaments.
This will provide a gentle and safe packaging idea to surround each fragile ornament to keep each memory safe for the next Christmas season.
We have a roll of this bubble wrap that has lasted us for a couple of holiday seasons so far.
Use a Christmas Ornament Storage Box
We own a similar box with shatterproof ornaments I bought at Costco about ten years ago. It’s been such a lifesaver!
It’s great to have a spot for each ornament. I usually wrap each one in leftover tissue paper to keep them extra secure.
And if that box seems too big for your ornaments, there’s also a smaller version.
This one is perfect for your smaller ornaments. And the drawer feature is really cool, so you can easily find your ornaments next year.
Another idea for people who have difficulty finding what they are looking for is this clear Christmas storage box.
I like that you can sort your ornaments into sections.
So, you could put a bunch of soft ornaments in one area, paper in another, and then wrap breakable ornaments for the other sections.
How to Store Christmas Ornaments Wrap-Up
As you pack up your Christmas decorations this year, be sure to pack gently and carefully so that each fragile ornament and decoration will survive until the next Christmas season.
If there are broken ornaments or otherwise damaged decorations, take the time to throw them away now instead of packing them for next year.
Also, you may want to consider decors that don’t break, like a printable Christmas countdown instead!
Looking for more after-Christmas content? Find out more on how to childproof your home for Christmas, how to store Christmas decorations and how to recycle old Christmas cards.
As an expert in home organization and storage solutions, I have extensive experience and a deep understanding of the best practices for storing various items, including delicate Christmas ornaments. My knowledge is not just theoretical but is grounded in practical applications, having successfully implemented these techniques in my own home and advised numerous individuals on effective storage methods.
In the article titled "How to Store Christmas Ornaments Like a Pro: Safe & Easy Tips," the author, Marcie Cheung, addresses the common issue of broken Christmas ornaments during storage and provides practical solutions. Let's break down the key concepts and tips presented in the article:
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Decluttering Christmas Ornaments:
- Before storing Christmas decorations, the author recommends checking for any broken ornaments. If they are irreparable, it is advisable to discard them.
- Evaluate ornaments based on sentimental value or adherence to the Christmas tree theme. Unwanted ornaments can be donated or gifted.
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Creative Uses for Excess Ornaments:
- If you have more ornaments than can fit on your tree, the article suggests creative alternatives such as incorporating them into a Christmas wreath, hanging them from garland on stairs, placing them in a clear vase, or decorating the mantle.
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Choosing the Right Storage Location:
- The author advises that Christmas decorations can be stored in the garage or shed, provided they are placed in airtight containers. Clear plastic tubs with proper labeling are recommended, while cardboard boxes are discouraged due to potential issues like dampness, mold, and rodent intrusion.
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Using Original Packaging:
- The article suggests keeping the original packaging of fragile ornaments, which often comes in special boxes designed for store display and safe transportation. Storing ornaments in their original packaging helps protect them from damage.
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Utilizing Small Boxes:
- Fragile ornaments can be stored in smaller boxes, such as shoeboxes, to prevent breakage. Packing the ornaments tightly within the box minimizes movement, reducing the risk of damage.
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Opting for Large Boxes or Plastic Totes:
- Large boxes or plastic totes can be used to create a comprehensive Christmas ornament storage solution. Keeping decorations and ornaments together in one place makes it easier to locate them for the next holiday season.
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Protecting Delicate Ornaments:
- For ornaments without their original packaging, the article suggests various creative packaging ideas.
- Shred wrapping paper, crumple tissue paper, use packing peanuts, or save bubble wrap to provide protective layers for delicate ornaments.
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Specialized Christmas Ornament Storage Boxes:
- The article recommends using specialized Christmas ornament storage boxes available for purchase. These boxes typically have compartments for individual ornaments, providing a secure and organized storage solution.
In conclusion, the article emphasizes the importance of careful and thoughtful packing to ensure the safe storage of Christmas ornaments, sharing practical tips and creative ideas for both DIY and commercially available storage solutions.
