Setting Up for Next Year: Holiday Storage Made Simple
How to pack away winter holiday décor with intention
When the holidays wrap up, it’s tempting to toss decorations back into boxes and deal with them next year. A little planning now can make next season calmer, faster, and far more enjoyable. Thoughtful holiday storage is about creating systems that help future-you.
Here are my favorite professional organizing tips for packing away winter holiday décor—strategies I use both in client homes and in my own.
1. Store items together by location, not by category
One of the most effective holiday organizing strategies is storing décor based on where it’s used in your home.
Mantel décor goes in one box
Bookshelf décor goes in its own box (or two)
Entryway items stay together
When it’s time to decorate next year, you can grab exactly what you need for one area—no rummaging required. As a bonus, you can decorate one space at a time without pulling everything out at once.
Neatly labeled holiday bins make seasonal decorating easier, faster, and stress-free year after year.
2. Use visual cues for instant recognition
Clear visual signals make holiday storage intuitive.
I recommend dedicating red or green lidded bins exclusively for Christmas and winter holidays. Over time, I’ve built a system using:
Red boxes for Christmas lights
A specific sized bin for holiday books
Standard large containers with red or green lids for décor
When I see those bins, I know immediately what’s inside at first glance.
3. Always label—and be specific
Labels are essential when it comes to seasonal storage.
Use label tape when possible
If labels don’t stick, inexpensive hanging chalkboard tags work beautifully
Be as specific as you can:
“Kids’ Ornaments”
“Holiday Mantel” (better than just “Christmas”)
This year, I added labels directly onto my light spools so I can remember exactly where each strand goes next season—an easy upgrade that saves time later.
4. Store all holiday items together
Keeping holiday décor consolidated prevents items from getting scattered throughout the house.
In my home:
Holiday-themed books are stored in the attic with décor
Unused reindeer paper plates and napkins live in a bin labeled Holiday Kitchen
Even holiday stamps are stored with Christmas supplies
Grouping everything together creates a clear, predictable system year after year.
5. Give yourself permission to outsource
If post-holiday life feels full, you don’t have to handle everything on your own.
Sort It Out offers professional holiday take-down services, including carefully packing, labeling, and storing décor so next year starts calm and organized.
Learn more about post-holiday organizing services here.
Packing away the holidays with intention sets you up for an easier, more enjoyable decorating season next year.
This post is part of my Simplify the Season blog series, where I share thoughtful, practical ways to bring calm and clarity to your home during busy seasons. You can explore the full series here.
