The festive season's joy often gives way to a daunting task: packing away decorations without creating a chaotic mess you'll regret next year. To help Canadians tackle this efficiently, we consulted expert organizers and event planners for their top storage solutions. Their advice covers everything from tangle-free light storage to protecting precious ornaments, ensuring your 2026 holiday setup is smooth and stress-free.
Smart Storage for Ornaments, Trees, and Lights
Visual calm is key after the holidays, according to lifestyle expert and designer Peter Som. He strongly recommends using clear, stackable storage containers. These allow you to see contents instantly, eliminating the need to dig through boxes. A popular choice is the Hefty 72-quart clear storage bin, which boasts 4.6 stars on Target.com, locking handles, and a secure snap closure. They are priced at around $13.
For your artificial tree, professional organizer Erica Dunn suggests an upright storage bag from Holdn’ Storage. Available on Amazon in sizes for trees from three to nine feet, this durable bag features a vertical design and drawstring closure to keep your tree dust-free. Prices start at just $10.
When it comes to delicate baubles, home cleaning expert Sara Aparacio recommends a specific ornament storage box for its value and efficiency. Priced at $15 on Amazon, this box allows for safe, visible storage, though she notes it can be limiting for unusually shaped ornaments.
Tackling the Tangle of Lights and Leftover Wrappings
Interior design expert Melissa Denham addresses one of the most dreaded tasks: storing holiday lights. A simple, cost-effective method is to wrap lights around an old wrapping paper tube or an empty Pringles can. For a more dedicated solution, the Whitmor Christmas light box, at $17 from Walmart, includes four spools and can hold up to 800 lights.
For leftover wrapping paper and accessories, professional organizer Christian Pfeiffer recommends a specialized storage container from The Container Store. This $15 organizer has interior pockets capable of holding up to 24 rolls of paper along with bows and tape, neatly consolidating supplies for next year.
Protecting Sentimental Items and Large Decorations
Designer Savannah Monet emphasizes preserving keepsakes, especially those made by children. She uses soft items like holiday towels to cushion breakables in storage boxes. For added protection, a 100-foot roll of bubble cushion from Target, costing $22, provides an extra layer of safety for precious items.
Large inflatables require special handling. Organizer Diana Cooke points to extra-large, waterproof Christmas storage bags, sold in packs of three for $18 on Amazon. These bags, with a 12-inch diameter and 21-inch height, even include a labeling panel to identify each inflatable.
For a sustainable option, Peter Som advocates reusing materials like cardboard boxes or fabric bags. Joyin’s large canvas gift bags, available on Amazon for $19, serve a dual purpose: wrapping large gifts and later storing non-breakable decorations.
For serious ornament organization, Erica Dunn suggests the Holdn’ Storage Christmas ornament storage box. This $40 Amazon find features removable trays and adjustable dividers to securely hold up to 72 ornaments, offering a professional-level storage system.
Professional organizer Renee Flenner recommends a heavy-duty garland duffle bag from Covermates for yards of greenery. Made from durable polyester with reinforced handles, one bag can hold up to 25 feet of garland and protects against dust and moisture. It is priced at $53 on Amazon.
For those with limited space, like New Yorkers, Peter Som loves multi-functional furniture. A stylish, faux leather round storage ottoman from Amazon, a bestseller at $88, provides hidden storage without sacrificing style.
Finally, for a significant investment in protecting artificial trees, Marta Pawlik of Laik recommends the TreeKeeper duffle bag. This heavy-duty bag with wheels and compression straps fits trees six to nine feet tall and safeguards against mold and damage. The "super" duffle version is available at Target for $120.
