Packing up after Christmas is rarely anyone’s favourite job, especially when you’re staring at tangled lights, fragile ornaments, and piles of decorations. The good news? It doesn’t have to be a headache. Here are some easy tricks to pack and move your Christmas decorations safely so they’re ready to shine again next year.
1. Categorise Everything
Before you even touch that packing tape, you should take a moment to sort your decorations into categories. This makes the entire packing process easier and you’ll have less things disappearing between boxes.
Sort your Christmas decorations into:
- Fragile ornaments and figurines (glass baubles, sentimental pieces, handmade items)
- Tree decorations (baubles, small ornaments)
- Tinsel
- Lights (indoor and outdoor)
- Stockings and textiles (tree skirts, festive cushions, table runners)
- Garlands and wreaths
- Outdoor decorations
- Big items (tree stands, inflatables)
Then you can work out how many boxes you’ll need and if you need extra protection.
2. Gather the Packing Materials
Your future self will thank you if you put a bit of effort now into using the right materials for packing and moving your Christmas decorations. It doesn’t have to be fancy. Most of the things you need to keep your holiday decor safe can be found at home.
Here are the Christmas packing materials you’ll want:
- Strong cardboard or plastic boxes
- Bubble wrap or tissue paper
- Packing paper
- Zip-lock bags
- Dividers or egg cartons for small ornaments
- Packing tape
- A marker for labelling
Keep any original packaging, like ornament boxes, as they’re usually designed to keep delicate decorations snug and secure.
3. Pack All Christmas Decorations by Category
How to Pack Fragile Ornaments
Fragile ornaments, like heirloom pieces, handmade gifts, or glass decorations, are the heart of a Christmas collection. But there’s an art to packing these items correctly so they last years to come.
Start by wrapping each ornament individually using tissue paper, newspaper or bubble wrap. Make dividers out of cardboard and add these inside the box to prevent pieces from touching each other. Always place the heavier items at the bottom and the lighter ones on top. Then, fill any spaces with crumpled packing paper so the decorations stay put during transport.
If you want to keep things even more organised, label the boxes with notes such as “Fragile – Tree Ornaments – Living Room” or “Family Keepsakes – Handle Carefully.”
How to Pack Christmas Lights
If there’s one thing people dread packing after Christmas, it’s the lights. To pack Christmas lights without them tangling, wrap each strand of lights around a piece of cardboard or spool. Secure it with twist ties or a bit of tape, then place each bundle into labelled zip-lock bags. Store all the bags together in one box for easy access.
How to Pack Garlands, Wreaths and Tinsel
Gently roll garlands and tinsel into loose coils and place them in a box by category (indoor vs outdoor, long vs short, etc).
Wreaths need a little extra care to keep their shape. Stuff the middle of the wreath with tissue paper or bubble wrap, then add another layer on top before putting it in its own box.
How to Pack Christmas Trees
Many of us use the original box to store our Christmas trees, but you’ve probably noticed that those boxes fall apart after a while. One of the best ways for packing Christmas trees is a Christmas tree storage bag. They’re easy to transport and protect your tree for longer.
Before you pack, remove all decorations and shake off loose needles from your tree. Compress the branches carefully and tie each section with rope or ribbon.
How to Pack Outdoor Decorations and Bulky Items
For outdoor decorations like inflatables, make sure they are fully deflated, folded neatly along the original seams, and rolled tightly. Keep the cords and pumps together in one bag, and try to fold it into the inflatable so you don’t lose any parts.
Bulky items like big outdoor decorations can be wrapped in old blankets before being stored in a box or bag.
4. Label Everything Clearly for an Easier Move
Don’t be too lazy to label your boxes! It makes unpacking Christmas decorations next year so much easier. Mark each box with this template: Contents, room, fragile/non-fragile, quantity. For example: “Christmas lights - Living room - Fragile - Box 1 of 2”
Clear labelling won’t just help with storage. It’s a lifesaver when you’re moving house. Professional movers will see fragile labels and know to handle them with extra care and where they should be placed, making the process much less stressful.
What to remember
Packing your Christmas decorations with care and effort now is going to give you peace of mind later. Make sure to categorise, use proper packing materials, and label everything. Your decorations will be safe, pristine and ready to bring joy into your home next season.
If you're planning a move and want your Christmas decorations (and everything else) handled with care, Holloway Removals can help. We make moving seamless and stress-free. Get a free removalist quote today.
