Holiday Storage Hacks: Keep the Magic, Ditch the Mess
The holidays are filled with magic—twinkling lights, meaningful ornaments, beautifully wrapped gifts. But once the season ends, all that magic often turns into a messy pile of tangled cords, crushed bows, and bins of mystery items shoved into the back of a closet.
At Mello Spaces, we believe that storing your holiday decor can be just as thoughtful as setting it up. With a few mom-approved systems in place, you can preserve the joy and ditch the post-holiday chaos.
Here’s how to store your holiday essentials in a way that feels easy, accessible, and totally stress-free next year.
Ornaments: Store with Structure (and a Little Cushion)
Delicate ornaments deserve more than a random shoebox.
Try this:
Use clear plastic ornament bins with dividers to keep everything visible and protected.
Repurpose wine boxes or egg cartons for smaller pieces.
Wrap extra-special items in tissue or felt and store them in a labeled “fragile” bin.
Pro tip:
Group ornaments by theme, color, or room to make next year’s decorating faster and more fun.
Wrapping Supplies: Make a Mobile Station
No more searching for tape, scissors, or matching ribbon at midnight on Christmas Eve.
Create a wrap station with:
A rolling cart or under-the-bed storage container
Dividers for paper rolls, gift bags, tags, ribbon, and tape
A small box for odds and ends like gift toppers, markers, and tissue paper
Bonus hack:
Cut a paper towel roll lengthwise and wrap it around each wrapping paper roll to prevent unrolling and tearing.
Holiday Lights: Say Goodbye to the Tangle
Nothing steals holiday joy faster than a knotted ball of lights.
Light storage ideas:
Wind each strand around a piece of cardboard or a clothes hanger
Use a zip-top bag for each strand and label with length or location
Store all light bags inside a single bin for easy access
Label everything:
A simple “Tree Lights” or “Front Porch” tag saves hours of untangling and second-guessing next year.
Decorations by Zone = Instant Sanity
You don’t need to reinvent your decor plan every year. Instead, store decorations by area of your home.
Bin labels to try:
Living Room Mantel
Tree Ornaments
Kitchen Decor
Outdoor Lights
Kids’ Rooms
That way, you can decorate one space at a time without dragging out everything at once.
Label Bins (and Be Specific!)
Skip the vague “Holiday Stuff” label. Future-you will thank you for being extra clear.
Label examples:
“Christmas – Table Decor”
“Winter Village – Living Room”
“Kids’ Crafts & Keepsakes”
“New Year’s Eve Party Supplies”
Use bold, easy-to-read labels or try color-coded bins for each holiday if you store multiple seasons together.
Create a Donation Bin Before You Pack It All Away
Every year, there’s something you didn’t use—and probably won’t next year either.
Before you store:
Pull aside decor you no longer love, use, or need
Donate gently used items to local charities, shelters, or schools
Less clutter = easier setup next year.
Store It Where It Makes Sense
You don’t need to climb into the attic every December.
Store in spaces like:
A labeled shelf in the basement or garage
Under-bed storage in the guest room
High shelves in closets with easy bin access
Just make sure it’s dry, temperature-controlled (if possible), and easy to reach.
Keep the Joy, Not the Clutter
Your holiday decor should spark joy—not frustration. With just a little intention, you can create storage systems that save time, protect memories, and make next year’s season bright before it even begins.
At Mello Spaces, we help busy families create functional, beautiful systems for every season of life—including the holidays. Whether it’s sorting, storing, or simplifying your home, we’re here to bring more calm into your space.
Want help setting up smart storage systems that last all year long?
Let’s chat. Book your free consultation today and let’s make space for more magic—and less mess.