Photo: Mytour / Alexander HuangWhile the holiday season brings plenty of joy, food, and festivities, very few people would admit to enjoying the post-celebration cleanup. Storing away the artificial tree, baubles, ornaments, lights, and gift-wrapping supplies can quickly turn into a chaotic mess unless you have the right holiday storage solutions.
That's why we tested 16 of the most popular storage options available to find the best ones, evaluating them based on durability, ease of use (including opening/closing, lifting, and carrying), and overall value for money.
We also consulted with Amelia Pleasant Kennedy, a clutter coach, organizing expert, and the CEO and Founder of A Pleasant Solution, and Jan Arkwright, CEO of Before & After Organizing by Jan, to get their expert insights on how to shop for the best holiday storage solutions.
Best for Storing Ornaments
Sattiyrch Ornament Storage Container
PHOTO: AmazonThe durable yet flexible plastic exterior makes it easy to pack and unpack your ornaments, while the removable dividers allow for storage of even oddly shaped decorations.
It lacks the sturdiness required to stack multiple boxes on top of each other.
The affordable Sattiyrch Plastic Ornament Storage Box is a practical solution for storing up to 64 Christmas tree ornaments. It features a secure hinged lid and side handles for easy transport, and the semi-transparent design lets you see the contents. Plus, it includes a label pocket for organizing your stored items.
During our testing, we discovered that the box made adding and removing ornaments a breeze. Its simple design and well-fitting cardboard dividers allowed for easy access, and the dividers were flexible enough to pull apart for longer ornaments. However, large ornaments that exceed the container's height might struggle to fit, as the box features four levels divided by a large piece of cardboard.
The material is thick and durable, providing protection against moisture, dust, and pests. The plastic feels solid and sturdy, while the protected zipper ensures a secure closure. The box remained robust during packing, with the sides standing firm and not showing any signs of tearing.
Dimensions: 12 x 12 x 12 inches | Material: Plastic | Capacity: Holds up to 64 ornaments
PHOTO: Mytour / Jessica Juliao
PHOTO: Mytour / Alexander Huang
PHOTO: Mytour / Jessica Juliao
PHOTO: Mytour / Jessica Juliao
PHOTO: Mytour / Alexander Huang
PHOTO: Mytour / Alexander HuangBest for Wrapping Gifts Supplies
Treekeeper Gift Wrap Craft Organizer
PHOTO: West ElmExcellent quality, ample storage space, and numerous compartments that allow you to organize your items as needed.
The zipper doesn’t extend fully around the box, and the kickstand doesn’t keep the container upright when fully packed.
This gift wrap storage station is designed for convenience, offering an excellent solution for organizing your gift-wrapping supplies. Made from a strong yet lightweight polyester canvas material, it’s durable without being too heavy. The zippered closure keeps everything secure, ensuring that items remain safe. We managed to fit 20 rolls of wrapping paper, 13 gift bags in varying sizes, two pairs of scissors, a box of ribbons, loose ribbons, and two sets of lights—leaving plenty of room for more small items.
We were impressed by the accessibility of this station, thanks to its multiple compartments that allow for personalized organization. The sturdy handles and comfortable design make it easy to carry, while the two wheels offer smooth transport. However, the zipper doesn’t fully close, leaving a small opening at the bottom where pests could potentially enter.
The mesh pockets are great for storing lights, which would otherwise get tangled during transport. It also features a kickstand for stability, but despite its intention, it didn’t prove to be effective when the container was fully packed. Additionally, the station is too tall to fit under most beds, and it could benefit from more zippered, see-through pockets for better visibility and organization.
Dimensions: 14 x 10 x 42 inches | Material: Polyester | Capacity: Holds up to 14 rolls (40-inch) of wrapping paper, 6 XL ribbon rolls, and multiple scissors and pens.
PHOTO: Mytour / Jessica Juliao
PHOTO: Mytour / Jessica Juliao
PHOTO: Mytour / Alexander Huang
PHOTO: Mytour / Alexander Huang
PHOTO: Mytour / Alexander Huang
PHOTO: Mytour / Alexander HuangIdeal for Gift Bags
ProPik Christmas Storage Organizer
PHOTO: AmazonThis organizer offers generous storage space, is built to last, features a high-quality construction, and boasts a large main compartment that’s adaptable for various storage needs.
A more thoughtful internal design for organizing smaller items would improve usability. Additionally, the Velcro pockets on the exterior don’t offer the same level of protection for the contents as the zippered sections.
At first, the ProPik Christmas Storage Organizer feels a bit flimsy, but once filled with holiday decorations, it holds its shape and becomes stable enough to stay upright while loading. The front Velcro pockets are great for easily adding and removing items, while the zippered sections make it simple to store smaller items securely and access them quickly. Even when packed with wrapping supplies, it remains relatively light.
The box features a top handle and two side handles, providing multiple comfortable carrying options. We found it especially ideal for storing gift bags, with even larger ones (up to 20 inches tall) fitting upright without issue. While not specifically designed for ornaments, it’s versatile enough for that purpose as well.
However, there’s no internal organization to prevent items from shifting during transport, so you’ll need to ensure fragile items are protected with bubble wrap or plastic wrap beforehand. On the plus side, the box is available in four different colors and is fairly priced for what it offers.
Dimensions: 20 x 20 x 10 inches | Material: Polyester | Capacity: Can hold assorted gift boxes, gift bags, ribbons, bows, pens, tape, and scissors.
PHOTO: Mytour / Jessica Juliao
PHOTO: Mytour / Jessica Juliao
PHOTO: Courtesy of Mytour / Jessica Juliao
PHOTO: Courtesy of Mytour / Jessica JuliaoIdeal for Use with Drawers
Santa’s Bags Three Drawer Ornament Storage Box
PHOTO: Courtesy of AmazonIts magnetic side closures provide easy ornament access, with weighted magnets ensuring the cardboard inserts stay securely in place.
It accommodates only standard-sized, round ornaments.
For those dedicated to preserving delicate, non-shatterproof ornaments, the Santa's Bags 3-Drawer Christmas Ornament Storage Box is an excellent choice. While assembling the Tetris-like cardboard dividers can often be a hassle, this one was surprisingly easy to put together. The box's practical and charming design features a single compartment that holds up to 72 ornaments safely.
The three drawers slide smoothly in and out, and the side features a magnetic closure for quick access. The innovative weighted magnets in the cardboard compartments help keep them stable. The honeycomb compartments only fit standard-sized, globe, and other round ornaments, meaning any larger or unique shapes would need a separate storage box. Ornaments wider than the standard size will prevent the box from closing properly.
This storage box proved to be durable and not at all flimsy. The cardboard was sturdier than many other alternatives we tested, helping it maintain its shape and strength. After a drop test—yes, filled with ornaments—the ornaments stayed in place, and only the top of the box came off slightly. While it's a bit pricier than typical storage boxes, its design, dividers, and magnetic closure offer excellent value.
Dimensions: 20 x 14 x 9 inches | Material: 600D polyester fabric | Capacity: 72 ornaments
PHOTO: Courtesy of Mytour / Jessica Juliao
PHOTO: Mytour / Jessica Juliao
PHOTO: Mytour / Jessica JuliaoFinal Verdict
Given the varying purposes of these products, there was no single standout on our list of the best holiday storage solutions. If you're looking for the best way to store Christmas ornaments, consider the sturdy and spacious Sattiyrch Plastic Christmas Ornament Storage Box, but if organizing gift wrap and supplies is your priority, the Treekeeper Gift Wrap Craft Station will meet your needs perfectly.
Mytour / Jessica JuliaoOur Testing Process
To create our list of the top holiday storage options, we tested 16 of the most popular storage containers available on the market over a couple of weeks, evaluating each container’s performance, durability, user-friendliness, convenience, and overall worth.
Initially, we considered how many items each container could hold, testing every zipper, button, and interior storage pocket to ensure they were easy to open and close.
We tested how easy it was to transport the storage unit across the lab, assessing its ability to be lifted up and down stairs, placed on or taken down from higher shelves, and the comfort of the handles. Additionally, we observed how securely each container stayed closed and rolled units with wheels across the lab to see how smoothly they moved. Low-profile items were tested by attempting to slide them under beds and easily retrieve them.
For storing gift wrap, we also evaluated additional features such as compartments for pens, tape, scissors, etc., testing these with actual props. When assessing lighting storage, we removed two strands of lights, one by one, to see how easily they untangled. Finally, we dropped each container fully loaded to determine how well the contents were protected.
Mytour / Jessica JuliaoHow to Shop for Holiday Storage Like a Pro
Size
Selecting the appropriate size and capacity for your storage needs hinges not only on the items you intend to store but also on your ability to manage them once they're filled.
Arkwright recommends considering these questions when determining the best size for your holiday storage: How many items will each container hold? Can the person or people managing these bins handle them safely (i.e., are the containers too large or heavy for them)?
Kennedy highlights that if a container is too large, it can become too heavy. It may be better to opt for a few smaller containers, dividing the contents among them, to make handling easier.
Material
Holiday storage containers come in a variety of materials. You can find durable, waterproof hard plastic boxes that are often airtight to safeguard against dust and mold. Alternatively, there are softer bag-style containers made from canvas or 600D polyester fabric.
“Before purchasing, it’s important to consider where you’ll store the items (garage, basement, or attic), as this will affect the type of material needed,” says Arkwright. “For fragile items that will be stacked, opt for sturdy materials like thick plastic, rather than easily crushed cardboard.”
If you want to easily identify your holiday items, opt for clear plastic containers that are stackable and airtight with a secure-fitting lid. This is an excellent choice for visibility and protection.
Additional Holiday Storage Options to Think About
Primode Wrapping Paper Storage Container: This product features a smart design with straps that hold wrapping paper rolls and a removable organizer for taller rolls. The downside is that the gift bag pocket didn’t secure the contents properly. While it’s affordably priced, we found it to be somewhat flimsy, and it only retained its shape when fully packed.
Zober Christmas Ornament Storage Box: This spacious box can hold up to 80 ornaments, with extra space for other items. It’s affordably priced, and we appreciated the cheerful design options. However, we found the lack of structure to be inconvenient—it essentially functions as a bag, taking the shape of whatever it contains.
Questions You Might Have
How should holiday decorations be stored?
“The key to storing decorations is to protect them from dust, damage, and the elements, while keeping everything organized to make setup and takedown as seamless as possible,” explains Arkwright. “Any containers that meet these needs within your available space and budget are the best choice for you.”
Kennedy advises selecting a cool, dry storage space. “Be sure to store lighter, fragile items separately or on higher shelves to avoid crushing,” she recommends. “Label the container clearly for easy access next year.”
What is the ideal way to store uniquely shaped ornaments?
For ornaments that don’t fit into the grid inserts in traditional ornament boxes, Arkwright suggests removing the cardboard dividers and lining the bottom with bubble wrap. Our top pick for ornament storage, the Sattiyrch Ornament Storage Box, includes removable dividers designed to accommodate odd-shaped ornaments. Also, if the ornament was packaged in special packaging, it’s often best to leave it in its original box, which is tailored to keep it secure.
“Metal holiday tins and plastic shoe boxes are excellent choices for irregularly shaped ornaments, especially for smaller pieces that might get lost in a larger container,” notes Arkwright. “Egg cartons also work well for organizing small items. For children’s homemade ornaments, zipper bags are perfect for storing flatter creations. As with all ornaments, always place the heavier ones at the bottom and lighter ones on top.”
Mytour / Jessica JuliaoTrust Us on This
This article was authored by Kat de Naoum, a seasoned expert with over 10 years of experience in shopping-related writing. Kat is also an editor-at-large at Thomas-Xometry, the leading online platform in the U.S. for supplier discovery and product sourcing. For this piece, we tested and reviewed 16 holiday storage solutions in our lab, assessing factors such as size, material, style, durability, usability, and overall value. Kat also consulted with organizing expert, CEO, and founder of A Pleasant Solution, Amelia Pleasant Kennedy; and Jan Arkwright, CEO of Before & After Organizing by Jan LLC.
