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To store Christmas garland, remove loose accents, coil the garland loosely into large loops or wind it around a sturdy tube, then pack it in a long storage bag or bin kept in a cool, dry place. The whole game is avoiding crushing: garland packed in tight, compressed wads comes out flat and misshapen, while loosely coiled garland springs back full. Pre-lit garland needs a little extra care so the wire and bulbs aren't strained — here's the full method.
Prep the garland: remove accents before storage
A few minutes of prep protects the shape and the accents. First, remove or secure loose elements — bows, picks, ornaments, and any add-on lights that could snag or snap off; store fragile accents separately in a small box. Give artificial garland a quick dust, and make sure it's fully dry if it was displayed near a door or window. If the garland is pre-lit, plug it in and confirm the lights still work now, so any repair is an off-season job rather than a next-December surprise.
What you'll need
- A long garland storage bag or bin big enough to hold a loose coil without compressing it.
- A sturdy cardboard tube or a hanger to wind or drape the garland around.
- Loose ties or hook-and-loop straps to hold the coil gently.
- A small box for removed bows, picks, and ornaments.
- A cool, dry storage spot — a closet or conditioned space, not a damp basement or hot attic.
How to store Christmas garland step by step
Coil the garland loosely to avoid crush damage
- Remove the accents. Take off bows, picks, and ornaments and store them separately so they don't crush or snag.
- Clean and dry it. Dust artificial garland and confirm it's completely dry before packing.
- Test any lights. If it's pre-lit, plug it in and confirm the lights work so repairs happen off-season.
- Coil it loosely. Gather the garland into wide, loose loops, or wind it around a cardboard tube to preserve the branch shape.
- Secure gently. Hold the coil with a couple of loose ties or straps — snug enough to stay together, never tight enough to flatten it.
- Pack without crushing. Lay the coil in a long bag or bin that fits it without compression.
- Store it cool and dry. Keep it in a stable spot and don't stack heavy items on top.
- Label it. Mark the bag so you can find and identify it next year.
Loose coiling on a tube, storage bag, bin or hanger keeps the shape
How you coil is the difference between full garland and a flattened mess next year. Make wide, loose loops rather than tight winds, or wrap the garland around a cardboard tube — the tube keeps the branches from folding sharply and the garland unwinds ready to hang. For containers, a long storage bag or bin that matches the coil size is ideal, or drape the loose coil over a sturdy hanger; the wrong move is stuffing garland into a too-small tote, which compresses the branches into permanent creases. Whatever you use, never pile weight on top, and store the coil so it can hold its natural fullness.
Storing pre-lit garland: protect the light wire, bulbs & ties
Pre-lit garland combines two fragile things — greenery and a light strand — so handle it gently. Coil in wide loops so the light wire isn't kinked and the bulbs aren't crushed, secure with loose hook-and-loop straps rather than tight ties, and pack it where nothing presses down on it.
Where to store: cool, dry — artificial vs fresh garland
Location matters for all garland: choose a cool, dry, stable place like an interior closet, and avoid the damp basement (mildew) and hot attic (heat that dries fresh material and softens glued accents on artificial garland). And remember that only artificial garland stores for reuse — fresh evergreen dries out and sheds, so compost it.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Tight, compressed packing. Coil loosely — tight wads leave permanent creases.
- Leaving accents on. Remove bows and picks so they don't crush or snag.
- Kinking lit garland wire. Coil in wide loops so the light strand isn't strained.
- Damp or hot storage. A cool, dry closet beats a basement or attic.
- Stacking weight on top. Never crush stored garland under heavy boxes.
Made the garland yourself? See how to make a Christmas garland, and to display it next year, how to hang a Christmas garland on a mantel and how to decorate Christmas stairs. Store the rest of your decor with how to store a wreath, how to store Christmas ornaments, and how to store Christmas lights. More projects live in the Install & How-To Guides. To shop, compare the best Christmas garland and the best Christmas garland with lights.
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