What Should You Get Rid of When Packing Christmas Decorations Away?

Taking down Christmas decorations is already a project, so before you pack every ornament, strand of lights and half-used roll of ribbon back into a bin, take a few minutes to decide what’s actually worth keeping. 

The easiest rule is simple: don’t pack away things you already know you won’t want next Christmas. Broken decorations, lights that no longer work and décor you didn’t bother putting out this year don’t necessarily need another year in storage. 

A quick declutter while you pack can mean fewer bins to deal with and an easier decorating day next holiday season. 

Should You Get Rid of Broken Christmas Decorations?

If a decoration is broken and you realistically aren’t going to repair it, it may be time to let it go. 

That could include: 

• Cracked or shattered ornaments 
• Decorations with missing pieces 
• Broken figurines 
• Damaged wreaths or garlands 
• Décor that no longer stands, hangs or works properly 

If there’s a piece you particularly like, a small repair may be worth the effort. But if you’ve been packing the same broken decoration away for three years while promising yourself you’ll fix it “eventually,” decide whether this is actually the year you’ll do it. 

What Should You Do With Christmas Lights That Don’t Work?

Test your Christmas lights before putting them away. If a strand isn’t working, check whether there’s a simple fix, such as replacing a bulb or fuse. If it’s damaged beyond repair, don’t put it back into the bin just to rediscover the problem next December. 

Check local recycling options before throwing old string lights in the trash. Some recycling programs may accept holiday lights because of their wiring and other components. 

For the lights you keep, wind each strand neatly around a cord organizer or piece of sturdy cardboard to help prevent a tangled mess next year. 

Should You Keep Christmas Decorations You Didn’t Use This Year?

Not using a decoration for one Christmas doesn’t automatically mean you should get rid of it, but it’s worth asking why it stayed in the box. 

Maybe you changed your color scheme this year, moved into a different space or simply didn’t have room for everything. On the other hand, you may have decorations you consistently skip because they no longer fit how you like to decorate. 

If something has stayed in the holiday bin for several Christmases in a row, consider donating or selling it rather than continuing to store it. 

Should You Keep Duplicate Christmas Decorations?

Keep duplicates when you actually use them, not simply because you own them. 

Extra ornaments, stockings, tree skirts, extension cords and other holiday supplies can accumulate over the years. If you consistently decorate multiple trees or different areas of your home, having multiples may make sense. 

But if you have four tree toppers and only one tree, you probably don’t need to keep every option indefinitely. Choose the ones you actually like and use. 

What Should You Do With Old Gift-Wrapping Supplies?

Go through your wrapping supplies before putting them away with the rest of your holiday items. 

Get rid of empty tape dispensers, tiny scraps of wrapping paper and crushed bows you know you won’t reuse. Consolidate partially used rolls, gift bags, tissue paper, ribbon and tags so you can see what you already have before buying more next Christmas. 

Save gift bags and boxes that are still in good condition if you know you’ll reuse them. Just be realistic about quantity, you probably don’t need an entire bin dedicated to slightly wrinkled gift bags. 

Should You Get Rid of Christmas Décor That No Longer Fits Your Style?

It’s okay if your taste in holiday decorating changes. 

Maybe you used to decorate around a specific color palette or theme but now prefer something completely different. You don’t need to keep every decoration you’ve ever purchased simply because it’s Christmas décor. 

Before donating something, consider whether you still enjoy it or could use it differently next year. If neither applies and you’ve repeatedly passed it over while decorating, letting it go can make more room for the pieces you actually use. 

How Should You Organize the Christmas Decorations You Keep?

Once you’ve narrowed down your collection, organize what remains before putting it away. 

Group decorations by category or where you use them, such as: 

• Christmas tree 
• Outdoor decorations 
• Mantel 
• Tabletop décor 
• Lights and extension cords 
• Gift wrapping 
• Linens 

Label containers clearly on more than one side so you can identify them even when bins are stacked. 

For larger holiday collections, consider numbering the bins and noting what’s inside. “Christmas 1 of 6” isn’t particularly helpful when the tree stand you need is hiding in bin six. “Tree Ornaments + Topper” gives you a much better idea of where to look. 

Where Should You Keep Christmas Decorations During the Year?

Christmas decorations spend most of the year packed away, so they don’t necessarily need to compete with everyday belongings for your most convenient space at home. 

If holiday bins are filling your closets or taking over the garage, Public Storage can give seasonal décor a designated place between holidays. Keeping your Christmas collection together also creates a simple seasonal routine: bring the bins home when you’re ready to decorate, then return them once the holidays are over. 

Climate-controlled storage is available at many Public Storage locations for belongings that may benefit from a more consistent storage environment. 

Before putting everything away, make sure decorations are clean and dry, wrap breakable pieces appropriately and label containers clearly. A little organization now can save you from opening six different bins looking for the tree skirt next year. 

Pack Less, Enjoy More Next Christmas

The best time to declutter Christmas decorations isn’t necessarily before you decorate. It’s when you take everything down and can clearly remember what you actually used. 

If something is broken, no longer works or has spent the last several Christmases untouched at the bottom of a bin, ask yourself whether it deserves another year of storage. Keep the decorations you enjoy and the things you realistically expect to use again. 

You also don’t need to replace everything you remove. Clearing out decorations you no longer use can simply give you a smaller, more manageable holiday collection. 

Sorting now means fewer boxes to carry, fewer decorations to sort through and less time wondering why you still own three tree toppers next December.