My Christmas decor storage used to be a seasonal headache – flimsy bags, crushed boxes, and decorations I could never find when I needed them. Now, I have switched to sturdy, stackable totes, and the difference is night and day.
These durable Iris USA totes from Amazon protect fragile ornaments, keep lights tangle-free, and make it easy to organize by room. Everything now slides neatly onto shelves, and unpacking for the holidays is almost enjoyable, rather than stressful.
Best of all, this upgrade didn’t break the bank! All the totes I needed came in under $50, and around $12.50 a piece, proving that smarter home storage ideas don't have to cost a fortune.
How Sturdy Totes Fixed My Holiday Storage Woes
I seriously regret not switching to clear plastic totes to store my Christmas decor sooner. They protect everything from damage and moisture, and make finding exactly what I need when decorating room by room a breeze. Plus, no labelling required!
I never used to pay much attention to storing Christmas decorations properly. They were all squished into a few bags and shipped off to live in my parents' attic, as I have no space in my tiny home.
However, as I get older and have to buy my own decorations rather than rely on hand-me-downs from family, and become more aware of not replacing items every year to stop creating unnecessary trash at home, I decided it was finally time for an upgrade.
Plus, after speaking to pro contractor Tyler Maddox at Groundworks and discovering that improperly stored Christmas decor could develop mold, it was a real rush to switch to something more protective.
'Seasonal fluctuations in rainfall, humidity, and temperature can create ideal conditions for mold growth,' he explained. 'Basements and attics are among the most common areas for mold to appear, and they’re also where many families store their holiday decorations.'
The bags had to go.
On the recommendation of Patricia Derpinski, holiday decorating pro and owner of Hudson Holiday Décor, I'm opting for the Iris USA totes from Amazon, which she recommends alongside the Sterilite storage bins from Target. 'We use these products professionally to store decor during the off-season in our warehouse in New York,' she explains, 'and we also offer them to clients who prefer to handle storage themselves.'
The Iris totes are available in 10 sizes, ranging from six quarts to 94 quarts, making them the perfect stacking choice for homes and decor collections of any size. The locking lids prevent pests from accessing your decor to make nests, and protect the items from moisture (although we always suggest adding in moisture-absorbing packs from Walmart for added protection and to prevent mold).
Clear totes are particularly useful for my natural fiber and persevered pieces, protecting them from moisture in storage.
Opting for clear bins also negates the Christmas decor storage mistake of forgetting what is in each container, leading to frustrating festive decorating, and optimizes storage to avoid costly duplicates. Patricia adds, 'If you want extra convenience, you can consider storing ornaments by section for easier setup next year. This saves time but keeps your decor safe.' These underwear organziers, from Amazon, can separate delicate baubles inside the totes for extra protection.
This approach also means you can drop the performative organizing task of labeling everything. Not only can labels fall off in storage, leading to later confusion, but they can also limit containers to hyper-specific categories, wasting space.
Shoppers love them for their durability, too. Verified reviewer Sherry Britcher shared, 'These IRIS USA 54 Qt stackable bins are exactly what I needed for storage. The size is perfect for clothes, seasonal items, or pantry overflow. The lids snap on tight, and the clear design makes it easy to see what’s inside. They stack nicely without bowing or cracking. Great quality and I love that they’re BPA-free and made in the USA!' What's not to like?
What to Shop
These storage bins are certified safe for storing all sorts of items, as they are free from harmful chemicals like BPA, acids, and phthalates. Plus, they are made in the USA.
This Christmas storage set comes with a tree bag, wreath bag, and ornament bag for quick, uniform decor storage. The bags are waterproof and fitted with double zippers for safe long-term storage.
This sturdy ornament bag individually packages up to 72 baubles to prevent scratches and breaks in long-term storage.
This Christmas tree storage bag features an all-metal stand to keep your tree safe while the built-in dolly and wheels allow easy and hassle-free transport from one room to another
One of my most hated parts of decorating for Christmas is battling with strings of lights. These reels are perfect for neatly wrapping lights around to prevent tangles and damaged cables in storage.
I love this almond-scented Castile soap for cleaning during the festive period. There are hundreds of ways to use it all over the home, and it smells exactly like marzipan, for a festive flair when sprucing up your home and decor for the holidays.
Meet the Experts
Patricia Derpinski is the lead designer at Hudson Holiday Decor, transforming homes, businesses, and events into magical festive landscapes. With over 25 years of experience, Patricia’s work spans luxury residences, upscale office spaces, and elite commercial properties, where she creates awe-inspiring holiday experiences that perfectly reflect the unique personality of each client.
With your seasonal storage perfected, the next step is to make space for it all with tips for storage in a small attic. You may find it helpful to declutter your Christmas decorations as you take them down.
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