Have no fear, your season can still stay merry. There are ways to easily streamline the process, and one of our biggest recommendations is to find storage dedicated to holiday decor. Just the right bin or bag—to neatly tuck away ornaments, nutcrackers, wreaths, or even your tree—can make a huge difference at the start and end of your season. We combed through dozens of storage options from major retailers to narrow down the best holiday storage bins in multiple categories. To get into the jolly spirit of all things organized, we checked in with pro organizing expert Corinne Morahan, founder and CEO of Grid + Glam. “Holiday decorations typically spend just a month or two on display, and the rest of the year they are stored away,” she says. “They also tend to hold a lot of sentimental value, so investing in high-quality storage bins will pay off in the long run.” Morahan says it’s worth the time and effort to factor in the conditions and temperature of the space you’ll be storing your holiday items in to see if you need watertight bins or can go with a less protective option. Our top pick, the Sterilite 18 Gal. Red Tote Box, is versatile enough to hold decor in a variety of shapes and sizes. It’s stackable and comes with a locking lid. What’s more, the container’s festive red color means you’ll never forget what’s inside! So, grab your Santa hat, and read on for the best in Christmas storage bins. We also love how the bright red color makes it easy to spot in your garage or basement, or wherever you’d like to stash your holiday supplies in the off season. If the red color isn’t enough of an indicator for you, and you’re someone who likes to label bins, keep in mind that you’ll need to either DIY your own or buy them separately. Labels are not included. Price at time of publish: $13 That’s why we think this ZOBER container is also a solid choice for ornaments, but we recommend dividers or adding inner compartments if your collection is especially delicate or if you own fragile heirlooms. Each bin also has one side with a transparent window, so you can easily see contents. Another convenience is the built-in, flip-top lid, which you’ll never have to worry about getting lost or separated. We love the seasonal color pairing, but it’s worth noting that they can make it tricky to repurpose storage for anything non-holiday if the need ever arises. If that’s not an issue, then these bins will likely serve you (and all your holiday treasures) very well. Price at time of publish: $16 for a three-pack Bulky wall hangings? A towering artificial tree? That awkward wreath you usually wrap in a garbage bag? This bin has room for it all. Second, if you fill it to the brim and struggle to lift it, the attached wheels allow you to easily move it around as needed. Even with the size and wheels, it’s still stackable. This bin is a pricier choice than other options we’re featuring, but we think that it’s worth the investment, given how much it holds and how the wheels add to overall ease of use. The one other potential downside is the red and green color scheme which can be limiting. If you know that this bin is going to be for holiday supplies and only holiday supplies, then it might be right up your alley (or your chimney). Price at time of publish: $60 We also appreciate the carrying handles on this bag. One thing to note: if the shape and color aren’t enough to tell you what’s inside, you’ll want to add a label or make sure the zipper is within reach when you put it away for the season, so you can take a quick peek at what’s inside. Price at time of publish: $22 The transparent material also makes it easy to keep track of what’s inside. The bins are identical, so while it makes for a neat and tidy display if you’re storing them together, it does mean you’ll either want to look closely at contents or even consider adding labels so you can tell them apart. They’re also stackable, and should the day come when you don’t need them anymore, they’re recyclable, too. Price at time of publish: $26 for a three-pack If you tend to break down your artificial tree to save space, this wouldn’t be the best choice for you, though. It’s best used with your tree still standing, so it’s less of a space-saver and more of a safeguard for your tree. If that’s what you’re looking for, we think this is a great choice. Price at time of publish: $30 Other conveniences, like the label, lid, and handle, make this organizer feel like the complete package. If we could change anything about it, we’d make the three trays into actual drawers, so you could pull any of them out. The current model has them subtly stacked on one another, but we’re willing to overlook this small design element in favor of the other smart and festive features. Price at time of publish: $40 The frosted, transparent material also shows you what’s inside, so if you are indeed stacking multiple bins, you can easily keep track of their contents. In a perfect world, this bin would be offered in as many sizes as The Container Store’s other bin collections, but we’re still fans of this organizer just as it is. Price at time of publish: $35 When it’s not in use, it’s easy to fold down and tuck away, too. It boasts a weight limit of 80 pounds, so those heirloom pieces from another era will fit right in. An outer pocket also gives you extra storage space for other items, and a label makes it easy to keep track of what’s inside. One thing to keep in mind is that the exterior is made of polyester fabric, and at the mid-range price, we would have preferred a bit more reinforcement. Price at time of publish: $70 Another perk is that you have four colors to pick from: red, green, black (with red trim), and gray (with black trim). As much as we love bright and festive colors for our holiday storage, we know that some folks prefer neutrals, which we’re glad to see offered here. Price at time of publish: $65 While we appreciate the bells and whistles of this organizer, it may be more than some people need. If you store just a few rolls of wrap, and it takes you years to get through them, then something smaller and more basic (and less pricey) will probably work for you. Price at time of publish: $160
Capacity and Size
As tempting as it may be to buy the biggest and brightest organizing container, we recommend taking inventory of your holiday decor and supplies, so you can ensure that you’re getting something that will work for you and your home. No matter how cleverly a bin is designed, or how many cute compartments it has, if they’re not the right size for your ornaments (or garlands, or wreaths), then it’s not going to work for you. Something too large also means there’s empty space, so items could shift when bins are moved. Overall, we recommend double-checking bin measurements, and assessing your collection before you make any purchases.
Value
As pro organizer Corinne Morahan, founder and CEO of Grid + Glam, explains, “When your holiday decor is organized, it allows you to spend more time with your family and friends during the season without stressing about where everything is and how you’re going to get everything back in order again afterward.” In other words, holiday storage is long-term storage, so while those extra-big or extra-sturdy bins might feel like an unnecessary splurge, think of how it will feel to unbox your beloved holiday heirlooms, after they’ve been protected for months. On the other hand, consider the worst-case scenario of what it would cost (both financially and emotionally) if you were to need to replace a selection of your supplies and decor because of damage. Ultimately, it’s going to come to your personal preferences for how protective you want to be of your holiday items, and how much you’re comfortable spending on securing them.
Versatility and Organization Options
If you look closely, you’ll notice that Christmas storage bins tend to come in two categories. Many—but not all—Christmas storage options are spirited versions of standard storage bins and bags. Our Best Overall pick, the Sterilite 18 Gal. Red Tote Box, for example, could double as regular storage if you were so inclined. The other category comprises containers specifically designed to hold uniquely-shaped decor, like the TreeKeeper 3 Drawer Ornament Storage Box and the ZOBER Super Rigid 2-in-1 Christmas Ornament Storage Box. Take into account your current collection, and what you anticipate adding to it in the near (very near) future to help you decide on any additional purchases.
Why Trust The Spruce?
Dena Ogden is a lifestyle and commerce writer who has been writing professionally since 2016, and with The Spruce since August 2022. “Look for storage with padding to keep all those delicate pieces safe and sound,” advises Heather Nykolaychuk, Brand President of Organized Spaces (owner of The Tailored Closet and PremierGarage brands). We love sectioned trays and compartmentalized bins that keep each ornament on its own. If you’re not using one, be thorough with your wrap, and fill empty spots to keep contents from shifting too much (like you would do if you were going to mail them).
First, consider packing items away by category or by the room in which they’re displayed. Make sure the containers you’re using are sturdy and built to last. Cardboard boxes in the garage, for example, may be tempting, but aren’t the strongest or most durable. The last thing you want is moisture or pests getting to your family heirlooms. Use transparent bins, or label everything. Even if you’re certain that you’ll remember which of your six identical bins has gift wrap and which has lights, life happens, and we forget, or things get moved. Still, the best organizing system is the one that works for you. If you adhere to the throw-everything-in-a-huge-bin-and-sort-it-next-year methodology, we’re not here to judge … as long you’re using a sturdy bin! For this piece, Dena researched holiday decor currently available at major retailers and evaluated products based on size, features, material, design, and overall value. Her holiday decor is currently stored in two places in her home (garage and basement), which she does not recommend.
