I have seen many, many storage spaces stuffed full of holiday decorations that are only used once a year. That’s not to say you shouldn’t have decorations—decorating is one of the best parts of the holidays! But there are ways to decorate that don’t take up your whole garage when you’re done.

Use organizers

The boxes that ornaments come in are usually flimsy and difficult to repack neatly. Recycle them and use a tote to keep all your ornaments in one safe place. Ornament keeper storage totes are a good way to keep fragile ornaments safe when they’re in storage, and consolidate space. This one offers three removable tiers of ornament storage

Tree storage bags are great for artificial trees. Specifically designed to hold each part of your tree tightly, they reduce storage space and keep your tree free of dust and damage, so you can use it year after year.

Repack carefully

One of the best ways to reduce holiday purchases is to take care of the items you already have. Storing things properly ensures you don’t have to re-purchase broken decorations, and can use them for years.

When it’s time to take down the decorations, pack your items with care. By “with care” I mean in such a way that they won’t break, and also with an eye on ways to save space. Packing all the wrapping paper in one place ensures you don’t have to go hunt for it next year.

Re-use decorations (or make them compostable!)

Because they’re only in use for a short time each year, it’s perfectly fine to use the same decorations many years in a row. In fact, using the same decorations each year can make them seem more special. For added variety, make some new decorations out of compostable material. It’s eco-friendly, and you don’t have to store them when the holidays are over.

Use re-usable wrappings for gifts

Furoshiki reusable gift wrapping Japanese wrapping cloth image 1
Furoshiki reusable gift wrap by OlsenOlsenDesign on Etsy

Single-use wrapping paper isn’t the most eco-friendly way to wrap a gift. Check out

  • Re-usable cloth gift wrapping scarves for smaller packages
  • Gift bags that don’t need to be torn open.
  • Things you already have to wrap gifts, like paper grocery bags and newspaper.

Enjoy decorating this year, and keep these tips in mind to save space in your attic, basement, or garage when the holidays are over!

I hope these tips help keep your holiday decorations neat, safe, and sustainable! What are your favorite ways to reduce waste during the holidays? Comment below!