Top Tips for Organizing Your Christmas Decor
Your Future Self Will Thank You!
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The holiday season is magical, but let's be honest. Storing all that beautiful decor can feel extra daunting! If you've ever dreaded the post-Christmas cleanup or the pre-Christmas setup, you've come to the right place. I've spent years perfecting my system, and trust me, a little organization now makes a huge difference later. Here are my top tips for organizing your holiday decorations like a pro!
1. Organize by Color or Theme
This is a game-changer! I have a separate tote for every color or theme I use — think Silver & Blue, Traditional Red & Green or Winter Woodland. This simple system makes it so much easier when I'm pulling stuff out, because everything I need for a specific look is right there together.
Organize your decor by color in clear bins for a stress-free decorating experience.
2. Invest in Clear Containers
Solid color containers might look super streamlined on a shelf, but I swear by clear storage bins. Why? Because I love being able to see what’s in the bin without having to unstack everything and take the lids off! It saves so much time and prevents that "where did I put that one thing?" frustration. If you can get some with wheels, even better.
3. Get Yourself a Good Label Maker
Detailed descriptions are your best friend! I label everything with specifics (e.g., "Dining Room Mantel Garland" or "Gold Ball Ornaments - 3 sizes"). This gives me a good idea of what is where, making the setup process lightning fast. Here is the one I use!
4. Take Extra Care with Your Most Precious Items and Family Heirlooms
For extra-special ornaments — like the ones on our family tree filled with pieces the kids have made or received over the years (hands down my favorite tree!) — I’ve invested in a dedicated ornament storage container with individual compartments for each piece. It keeps everything secure, protected and easy to organize year after year. I love this container for larger figurines and decor pieces.
Pro tip: This may sound a little extra, but these ornaments are some of my most cherished possessions. Having them stored safely and in one easy-to-grab container gives me real peace of mind. In a worst-case scenario, I know exactly where they are and can grab them quickly. To me, that’s priceless.
5. Keep Multi-Purpose Greenery and Ribbon Separate
While I organize almost everything by color or theme, I do keep some general decorating items separate from Christmas decor. Case in point: ribbon and certain types of greenery, like eucalyptus and boxwood stems. I like having all of my ribbon in one spot in case I want to repurpose it for a different holiday or occasion. The same goes for versatile greenery that can be used throughout the year for various holidays.
Keep all your ribbon together for quick access and for repurposing throughout the year.
6. Dedicated Bins for Bulk Items
Keep a separate bin for each of these items:
Garlands
Picks (like berries and florals)
7. Pack in Reverse Order of Setup
If you have a large storage area, the order you pack might not seem important, but trust me, it is! I like to pack in the order that makes the most sense for setup. This means putting smaller items like ornaments and accent pieces in first. Then, go for lights and garlands. Finally, trees go in last. This ensures that when you go to set up next year, you aren't digging to the back of the storage room to get to the things you need first!7. Purge What You Haven't Used
Be ruthless! Purge stuff you haven't put out in five years. If you aren’t using it, chances are you won’t ever. However, if it’s basic stuff like plain ball ornaments and picks, hang on to them—what goes around comes around! I had a tote full of gold decorations that I hadn’t touched in years, and this past year I ended up using every single item in that bin! Basics are always worth keeping.
Trust me on this — following these tips means less stress and more holiday cheer next year. Happy organizing!
