How to Remove and Store Outdoor Holiday Decorations

January 24, 2025

Introduction

While cleaning up after the holiday festivities isn’t the most exciting task, it’s an important one to tackle promptly. Properly removing and storing your outdoor holiday decorations ensures that they stay in great condition for next year and helps your landscaping recover in time for spring.

Here are our top tips for removing holiday lights and decorations from your yard, along with advice on how to store them efficiently.

Removing Your Outdoor Holiday Decorations

Once you’ve decided it’s time to take down your outdoor decorations, a little preparation will make the process easier and safer.

Enchanting String Lights Adding a Warm, Cozy Glow - Image by Kendall Hoopes

Preparing for Removal

• Gather Tools: Have a sturdy ladder, gloves, weather-appropriate clothing, and a spotter if you’ll be working at heights.
• Plan Ahead: Depending on the scale of your decorations, removal might take a few hours or even days. Allocate sufficient time to work carefully.

Removing Lights from Greenery

If you’ve adorned trees or shrubs with lights, follow these steps:

1. Be Gentle: Unwrap lights slowly to avoid damaging branches, leaves, or needles. Pulling too hard can break lights or harm your plants.
2. Work Closely: Use a ladder to get close to the lights. Standing on the ground and pulling the strands can cause unnecessary stress on branches and light strands.
3. Consider the Weather: In colder climates, branches may be frozen and brittle. Handle them with extra care to prevent breakage. Buds for next year’s growth may already be forming on deciduous plants, so take special precautions to protect them.

Removing Lawn Decorations

• Remove lawn decorations promptly to give your grass time to recover before spring.
• Ensure that inflatables, statues, and other large items are thoroughly dry before storing them to prevent mold or mildew.

Storing Your Outdoor Holiday Decorations

Proper storage is essential to keep your decorations organized and in good condition for the next holiday season. Here’s how to store your items efficiently:

Storing Holiday Lights

Holiday lights are often the most challenging to store due to their tendency to tangle. Here are some tips:

Hanging String Lights Casting a Warm, Inviting Glow - Image by Nita

1. Label Strands: Use masking tape and a sharpie to label each strand by color, length, or location (e.g., “front porch” or “tree lights”).
2. Prevent Tangling: Wrap lights around a strip of cardboard, a spool, or a specialized storage reel. This prevents tangles and makes next year’s setup easier.
3. Store Properly: Place the wrapped lights in a durable container. Keep the container in a cool, dry place to avoid damage from moisture or heat.

Storing Other Decorations

• Artificial Trees: Store artificial trees in their original box or a dedicated tree storage bag to protect them from dust and moisture.
• Inflatable Decorations: Fold inflatables neatly and store them in waterproof containers.
• Fragile Items: Wrap delicate decorations in bubble wrap or tissue paper and store them in labeled boxes.

Festive Christmas Wreaths on a Metal Gate - Image by James DeMers on Pixabay

General Tips for Storage

• Organize by Category: Keep similar items together to streamline next year’s decorating process.
• Use Clear Containers: Transparent bins make it easy to see what’s inside without opening each one.
• Label Everything: Clearly mark each box with its contents and intended location.

Conclusion

Taking the time to properly remove and store your outdoor holiday decorations ensures that they remain in good condition for years to come. By following these tips, you’ll not only save time next holiday season but also protect your landscaping and decorations.

If you need help with tree pruning and care after clearing your holiday decorations, contact Arborist Now for professional assistance. Let’s make post-holiday cleanup a breeze and get your outdoor space ready for the seasons ahead!

Originally published on December 27, 2018.

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