The 7 Best Holiday Storage Containers of 2023, According to Testing

The Bottom Line

The Sattiyrch Plastic Christmas Ornament Storage Box stole the show as the best holiday storage container for ornaments, earning perfect scores during testing for its protection against the elements and its ability to fit decorations of all shapes and sizes. 

Meanwhile, the ZOBER Wrapping Paper Storage Containers counted as the favorite for wrapping paper, with glowing reviews for its durability, capacity and value. The Balsam Hill Deluxe Rolling Ornament Chest is a top contender for ornament storage on wheels, moving deftly like a large piece of luggage.

Our Testing Process

Our testers compared 16 products to find you the best holiday storage options, following a methodology step by step. We made our evaluations based on four factors: design, durability, capacity, and value.

We placed the number of recommended items into each container, then judged if the space was cramped or a perfect fit. We tested all of the zippers, buttons and storage compartments. 

Once closed, we carried and rolled the containers around the lab to determine their ease of transportation, comfort of their handles, and ability to remain closed. 

We also lifted and removed the containers from shelves, then dropped them to the floor from knee height to see if their contents would suffer damage.

For string lights, we considered how they tangled upon removal from the containers.

What to Know About Holiday Storage Before Shopping

Dimensions and Decoration Type

Before shopping for your best holiday storage option, evaluate which dimensions would work best for your available space. 

Myriad decoration types should be treated differently in storage to guarantee their optimal usage. For instance, Boston likes to keep the original boxes for fake Christmas trees “because they stack better” in storage. Others prefer to vacuum seal their trees in plastic to minimize space and effort.

Boston urges decorators to roll their ribbon before packing it up “because ribbon will crinkle, and it won’t look good that next season if they didn’t take that extra step.” For those who incorporate fake flowers into their holiday decorating themes, she advises that they store them stem-down in boxes, so “you don’t have to spend time fluffing out flowers; they’re already good to go.”

Material

Boston considers plastic the preferred material for the best holiday storage because it’s typically heavy-duty and inexpensive. Plastic containers are often stackable, too, which helps them to fit into various spaces around the house.

Another common material is polyester fabric, although the likelihood of it being waterproof is slimmer.

Capacity

When shopping for holiday storage containers, you’ll come across various shapes and sizes. For example, a small bin can measure at 5 gallons, or 20 quarts. Meanwhile, a large option can accommodate 27 gallons, or 108 quarts. 

Consider which size would weigh an appropriate amount for transportation. Boston encourages purchasing your containers from the same store location to guarantee that they’re the same size–and, therefore, easier to stack.

Safety

When choosing the best holiday storage for you, consider waterproof and airtight options like plastic. They will keep moisture and humidity from seeping into your decorations, and will also prevent damage by pests.

To protect your decorations, use bubble wrap, plastic bags or newspapers as an additional layer of defense. Focus on restricting any unnecessary movement that could lead to breakage, and don’t squeeze your items into an overloaded container—or risk crushing your baubles.

Keep fire safety in mind when choosing the right location to house your decorations, avoiding areas near furnaces and water heaters. 

Others We Tested

IRIS USA 60 Qt. 2 Pack Ornament Storage Box with Hinged Lid and Dividers

We liked how lightweight this option was. However, it fell short in its durability, with its lid opening unreliably and the ornaments inside shattering during the drop test. We were ultimately left with questions about how well it would travel. 

We also found it difficult to fit oddly-shaped ornaments in the uniform compartments, with small baubles falling through cracks in the box. 

The Holiday Aisle Tree Light Storage

This storage bag was easy to zip open and closed, with the capability to transport it with one hand if desired. However, the bag is missing side handles that would aid with transportation, and the sole top handle was considered too flimsy to accommodate a heavy load. 

The container includes three plastic dividers to wrap string lights around, but the loose threads throughout the interior could cause issues. The biggest problem with this option is quality control.

Williams Sonoma Holiday Light Storage Box

The Williams Sonoma Holiday Light Storage Box didn’t make the list for best holiday storage because its lid fell often, leaving the container prone to damage. The potential for tangling lights is high, in spite of the box’s dividers and wraps for string lights. 

The container can hold more contents than expected, although a tester called it “a waste of money” based on its quality.

Your Questions, Answered

What is the best way to store holiday decorations?

The key to storing holiday decorations is organization. Save yourself the stress of sifting through boxes of miscellaneous trimmings by taking the time to catalog them as you’re deconstructing this year’s theme.

Boston typically separates her decorations, placing standard ornaments in one bin and specialty items in another. She prefers plastic tubs for storage, and labels the lids with markers. She skips the tape because it can lose its adhesiveness and fall off. Transparent tubs offer the extra ease of letting the decorator see exactly what’s inside of them, she adds.

For storage specific to certain types of decor, we suggest one of our choices for best holiday storage containers. As you’re packing, household goods can be reused for added convenience, such as toilet paper rolls to wrap string lights and egg cartons to hold small ornaments. 

How should you store large outdoor Christmas decorations?

Boston suggests drying off outdoor decorations like inflatables completely before placing them in storage “because that stuff can get moldy.”

Depending on the size of a particular piece of decor, it may either fit in a container or be better suited to stand on its own. To make room for bigger items, clear some extra space in an overlooked corner of your house—a closet, the attic or the basement, for example. Consider using a furniture cover to further protect them.

Installing shelves and racks can create alternative options for storage. A shed can also serve as a dedicated home for large outdoor Christmas decorations. 

How can you store oddly-shaped ornaments?

One quick fix is to keep the original packaging of the oddly-shaped ornaments and stack them within a container. Another solution: First protect the trinkets by wrapping them up, then tuck them into recycled cake boxes or popcorn tins before depositing them in their designated containers.

But, “I usually just play Tetris with that stuff,” Boston admits. 

Who We Are

Megan Ulu-Lani Boyanton is a freelance writer for Better Homes & Gardens. She also reports on the neighborhoods beat for The Denver Post, and previously covered prominent Colorado industries like real estate, airlines, and cannabis as a business reporter. For this article, Megan spoke with holiday decorator Antoinette Boston of AB’s Holiday Decor in Dallas, Texas, for her industry expertise.

What Is BHG Recommends?

Next to all of the products on this list, you may have noticed our BHG Recommends seal of approval. Products that earn the seal have been put through rigorous testing to make sure they're worth a spot in your home. We buy most of the products we test ourselves, but occasionally we are provided samples by companies if buying isn't an option. In these cases, we use the same testing criteria we use to test the purchased products.