How to Store Holiday Decorations and Kids’ Artwork for Next Year

Holiday decorations and kids’ artwork last longest when they are packed clean and dry, wrapped individually, sorted into labeled bins, and stored in a cool, dry room inside the living space instead of a hot attic or a damp basement. Heat, moisture, light and pests do most of the damage, and crushing comes next. A few cheap supplies, such as acid-free tissue, egg cartons and sturdy plastic bins, prevent most broken ornaments and faded paintings.

Where is the best place to store holiday decorations?

The best place is a closet, under-bed space or shelf inside the heated and cooled part of the house. Attics and garages swing between summer heat and winter cold, which melts candles, warps plastic, cracks glass and makes glue let go. Basements can be humid, and moisture leads to mildew on fabric and paper and rust on metal hooks.

If the attic or garage is the only option, keep sturdy items there (plastic ornaments, wreath frames, outdoor decorations) and move fragile, paper and wax items into the house. Keep bins off concrete floors by setting them on a shelf or pallet.

How do you pack ornaments so they do not break?

Wrap each fragile ornament on its own and give it a compartment so nothing rubs or presses on it.

Use acid-free tissue paper or soft cloth for glass and painted ornaments. Newspaper ink can rub off onto light surfaces.
Egg cartons, cupcake liners in a muffin box, and divided ornament boxes all keep pieces apart.
Put the heaviest items at the bottom and the most delicate ones on top.
Remove metal hooks and store them in a zip bag, since they scratch and tangle.
Fill gaps with crumpled tissue so nothing shifts when the bin is moved.

Plastic bins with tight lids keep out dust, water and insects better than cardboard boxes, which soften in humidity and attract pests.

How should you store holiday lights?

Inspect string lights before you pack them, then wrap them loosely around a piece of cardboard, a cord reel or an empty paper towel tube. Throw away any set with cracked sockets, frayed wires or loose connections instead of storing it for next year. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends checking holiday lights for this kind of damage, and the National Fire Protection Association publishes holiday fire safety guidance. Label each bundle with where it was used (tree, window, porch) and whether it is rated for indoor or outdoor use.

What decorations need special care?

Some materials need more than a bin and tissue.

Candles and wax figures melt or bend in heat. Store them flat in the coolest indoor spot you have.
Fabric items such as tree skirts, stockings and table runners should be washed or brushed clean and fully dry before packing, then folded with tissue in a breathable cotton bag or a bin.
Edible decorations, such as gingerbread, candy canes and popcorn garlands, attract mice and insects. Throw them away after the season.
Battery-operated decorations should have their batteries removed, since old batteries can leak and corrode the contacts.
Artificial trees and wreaths keep their shape best in a fitted bag or in their original box, stored upright if possible.

How do you store kids’ artwork without keeping every piece?

Keep a small selection of originals, photograph the rest, and store the keepers flat. Most families cannot save every drawing, and a short sorting session at the end of each school term or holiday season keeps the pile manageable.

Photograph or scan each piece with the child’s name and date written on the back or in the file name. Digital copies can be turned into a photo book later.
Let your child help choose a few favorites to keep in original form.
Store flat paper art in an artist portfolio, an under-bed box or a large flat envelope, one per child per school year.
Place acid-free tissue between pieces done with paint, chalk, pastel or glitter so they do not rub off on each other.
Keep the box away from sunlight, which fades construction paper and markers quickly.

Many families give some pieces new jobs: wrapping paper, cards for grandparents, or decorations for the next party. Projects from easy year-round DIY crafts can join the same box so the collection stays in one place.

What about 3D crafts and handmade ornaments?

Three-dimensional crafts, such as salt dough ornaments, clay figures and paper-plate wreaths, need their own small boxes so they are not crushed under flat items. Salt dough and air-dry clay absorb moisture, so make sure they are completely dry before packing and store them with the rest of the indoor decorations, never in a damp basement. Pieces with glued macaroni, beads or cotton balls lose parts over time; take a photo before packing in case something falls off.

Kids can help pack their own ornaments, which also makes unpacking next year a small event. It pairs well with a quieter end-of-season activity after busy weeks, and the guide on resetting the day when kids are overstimulated has more ideas for winding down.

How do you label bins so unpacking is easy?

Label each bin on at least two sides with its contents and the room it belongs to, for example “Tree ornaments, glass” or “Living room mantel.” Color-coded lids or tape can separate holidays. A simple list taped inside the lid or kept on your phone shows what is in each bin without opening them all. Pack the items you set up first, such as the tree stand and lights, in the bin you will open first.

Quick answers

Are plastic bins or cardboard boxes better for decorations?

Plastic bins with tight lids are better for long-term storage because they resist moisture, crushing and pests. Cardboard works for short-term use in a dry closet.

Should I use mothballs in decoration boxes?

Avoid mothballs in family storage. They contain pesticides, give off strong fumes and are a poisoning risk if children find them. Clean, dry items in sealed bins are usually enough.

How often should I sort kids’ artwork?

Sorting at the end of each school term or once a year keeps the collection small enough to store in one box per child per year.

Can I store decorations in the garage?

Sturdy plastic and outdoor decorations are fine in a garage if bins are sealed and off the floor. Keep candles, paper, fabric and glass inside the house.