Efficient Methods for Storing Christmas Lights, as Suggested by Professional Organizers

Efficient Methods for Preserving Holiday Lights, as Suggested by Expert Organizers

With the festive season behind us, it's time to thoughtfully pack away your twinkling Christmas lights. However, these lengthy strings that bring so much sparkle and joy during the season can be a hassle to store, especially if you lack an organized system. If you don't have a plan, your Christmas lights can easily turn into a tangled mess when it's time to put them away for the off-season.

There are several ways to keep your lights organized and easily accessible for next year's decorating. To help, we spoke to professional organizers who shared their top methods for storing Christmas lights. Keep reading to discover their favorite methods for neatly and safely storing these delicate decorations until the next time Christmas rolls around.

Original Packaging

When unpacking your lights, keep the original packaging for easy storage. But don't simply stuff the lights back into the box without care, as this could result in damage and tangling. Meaghan Kessman, founder of Meaghan Kessman Home Organization, provides these simple instructions for safely and neatly storing your lights in their original packaging:

Check the box to make sure it's still in good condition, as it needs to hold up in storage.
Gently coil the lights, following their natural curve. Avoid creating tight loops that could damage the wiring.
Use twist ties to keep the coil neat and secure.
Place the lights back into the box and store in a cool, dry location.

Clear Ornament Storage Boxes

One advantage of using clear ornament storage boxes is that you can easily see how many lights you have when retrieving your decorations next year. Plus, the divided compartments keep everything organized and untangled. Kessman recommends these steps when storing Christmas lights in clear ornament storage boxes:

Roll each strand into a loose coil and secure it with a twist tie.
Place each coil in its own section of the storage box. This way, they won't get tangled.
Label the box to make the lights easy to find later.

Clothing Hangers

An inventive solution for storing your Christmas lights is right in your closet—clothing hangers. The large plastic clothes hangers with shirt strap notches on each side work great for neatly storing holiday lights. Michelle Parravani, owner of Designing with Less, recommends these simple steps:

Hook one end of a strand of lights onto one of the notches on the hanger.
Wrap the lights around the hanger, continuing until you reach the other side.
Hook the other end of the strand of lights onto the opposite notch from where you began.
Wrap the hanger in tissue paper for added protection.
Place the lights in a storage bin with hard sides.

Wrapping Paper Tubes

Once all the holiday gift wrapping is done, you'll likely have some empty cardboard tubes. Before throwing them out, consider saving them as a functional way to store your holiday lights. Here's how Parravani suggests using a wrapping paper tube for storing your lights:

Cut a small slit on one end of the cardboard tube.
Slide the end of a strand of lights inside the slit, so the plug sits inside the tube.
Wrap the lights around the outside of the cardboard tube.
On the other end of the tube, cut a small slit and tuck the other end of the light strand inside.

Certified professional organizer Sara Bereika suggests cutting the roll to size before wrapping the lights around it. She also recommends storing the rolls on their side or standing them up in an appropriately sized bin, as that will keep them safe from damage and dust-free.

Stackable Drawer Bins

Stackable drawer bins are an excellent way to keep your lights separate and organized. Plus, they're great if you're short on storage space. Kessman offers these handy tips for safe storage:

Wrap each strand into small loops, and use zip ties or twist ties to secure them.
Place the loops in individual drawers to avoid tangling.
Label each drawer indicating what the lights are for (tree, outdoor bushes, etc.).
Stack the bins neatly in a closet or on a shelf for easy access next year.

Velcro Straps

Velcro straps are an affordable, reusable, and space-conscious method of storing Christmas lights in an organized way. Parravani notes that Velcro straps are great for securing large and wide strands of lights. Here's how she uses them to store holiday lights:

Hold one end of the strand of lights in your hand.
Wrap the strand around your elbow and then back into your hand, creating a loop.
Continue wrapping the lights this way until you reach the end of the strand.
Secure the loop in a couple of places with Velcro straps.
Place the lights in a storage bin.

Flat Pieces of Cardboard

Flat pieces of cardboard are an affordable and sustainable option for storing Christmas lights. Kessman offers these instructions on how to make the most of your cardboard boxes when it's time to take down your lights:

Cut a piece of cardboard to the size of the strand of lights.
Wrap the lights around the cardboard, securing it with tape.
Store the wrapped lights in a box or bin for easy access next year.
Grab a robust piece of cardboard, roughly measuring 10 to 12 inches in width.
Make tiny cuts at both ends of the cardboard, serving as holders for the light bulbs.
Insert one end of the light bulb string into a cut, then encircle the cardboard with the lights uniformly.
After completing, insert the other end of the string into the opposite cut.
Secure the wrapped cardboard in a storage bin or on a shelf to safeguard the lights.

In case the power pack is large, Bereika suggests attaching it to the cardboard using tape to ensure it stays put and avoids entanglement.

Resealable Bags

If no other supplies are available, Bereika proposes using resealable plastic bags to store Christmas light strands. The bags shield the strands from tangling, she says. As an added bonus, additional bulbs and parts can be stored in their respective bags.

Grab one end of the strand of lights.
Twist the strand around your arm, then back to your hand, creating a loop.
Continue twisting the lights around your arm in this manner until you reach the end of the strand.
Pocket the loop in a large, resealable bag.
Store the bagged lights in a storage bin or on a shelf.

Holiday Light Reel

One of the widely-used methods for storing Christmas lights is using a holiday light reel, which can be purchased at home improvement stores or online. Their generous size is capable of housing multiple strings of connected lights. If you don't have a holiday light reel, a power cord reel also does the trick, recommends Kessman. Follow these straightforward steps:

Connect one end of the lights to the clip or hook on the light reel.
Wind the lights around the spool neatly by turning the handle.
Use a tag or tape to mark what the lights are intended for (tree, outdoor bushes, etc.).
Place the reel in a storage bin with hard sides to protect the lights from damage.

Be cautious not to wind the lights too tightly, which could potentially damage them, advises Parravani.

Holiday Light Wrap

For storing a single strand of lights, consider using a holiday light wrap. These compact storage wraps are durable, flat, and shaped like a large letter "I" with a convenient grip at one end. Parravani suggests this method for storing your lights:

Wrap the lights around the narrow middle section of the wrap, starting from one end.
Once the lights are entirely wrapped, tuck in the end to prevent them from unraveling.
Store the wrap in a storage bin with hard sides to safeguard the lights from damage.

After learning various storage methods from professional organizers, you might consider using clear ornament storage boxes for your Christmas lights. By placing each coiled strand in its own compartment and labeling the box, you can easily find what you need when the festive season returns. Alternatively, Martha Stewart suggests using original packaging to store your lights if they're still in good condition. If you're short on space, stackable drawer bins can aid in organizing your lights, while clothing hangers and wrapping paper tubes can also serve as functional and space-saving alternatives.