How To Store Christmas Lights

Untangling a web of Christmas tree lights can be frustrating when you're trying to decorate your home for Christmas. Unfortunately, this is a common problem that usually starts the previous year when lights were taken down and stored away.

Most of us are exhausted by the end of the Christmas period and are often tempted to take the lights off the tree, put them in a box and not think about them until next year. 

But taking time to pack up your lights and store them properly makes next year's decorating a festive party. You'll also reduce damage to the string of lights, such as shortages in the wires or damaged bulbs.

In this guide, we'll share our tips for storing Christmas lights to avoid a tangled mess next year.

Taking your Christmas lights down

Begin by carefully unwinding the lights as you take them down from your artificial Christmas tree. You'll want them to be free of tangles before storing them. If you give this part to your kids, be sure to supervise as they might be overenthusiastic and pull the lights too hard.

As you take them down, check for any frayed wires, broken bulbs, or loose connections. If you notice any damage, you can either repair your lights or search for new ones. It's easier to do any repairs now than when you come to get them out next year.

Finally, unplug all strands of connected lights. This helps to keep them straight and prevents them from becoming tangled. You can separate them into colours or by the rooms in which you use them, whichever way is most convenient for your decorating and organisational style. 

5 Ways to store your Christmas lights

Once you've taken your lights down, you're ready to start packing them away. The following ideas for storing Christmas lights are inexpensive and don't take up much space!

1 - Pringles tubes

Used Pringles tubes can make exceptional holders for Christmas lights. The best part about using a Pringles tube is that you can use the inside to store accessories, such as clips or extra bulbs.

First, cut an "X" in the top of the clear plastic top and insert one end of the light cable. Carefully roll the lights around the tube, starting at the top and working towards the bottom, so the lights do not break.

Next, place the other end of the cable inside the hole you cut in the tube's lid. Use masking tape and a marker to precisely label where each roll of lights goes following the season.

For lengthier strings of lights, reuse the cardboard roll from your wrapping paper. Just wind the string of lights around the cardboard roll and tuck the ends inside the tube, securing it with tape.

2 - Clothes hanger

Another cost-effective way to store Christmas lights is by using a clothes hanger. This method works best for shorter strands of lights. Any hanger will work, but it's even better if you have a plastic hanger with hooks. These hooks come in handy for wrapping and storing Christmas lights.

Wrap one end of the light cable around the hook of the hanger. If you're using a hanger without hooks, you can secure the end with tape or tie the end of the cable and secure it with tape.

Next, wrap the light strands tightly around the hanger. Continue wrapping the lights around from one side to another and back again. When you've reached the last few cms of the strand, loop the end around the hanger's hook.

After wrapping the lights around it, gently wrap the hanger in bubble wrap or tissue paper to prevent the bulbs from breaking. You can then store it in a box or hang it on a wall somewhere in your storage area.

To simplify next year's decorating, colour coordinate the hangers by the colour of the lights wrapped around them.

3 - Cardboard

At Christmas, you probably have a few unused boxes around the house. Instead of throwing these away, use them to store Christmas lights. 

To start:

1. Cut a cardboard flap so you have a rectangle roughly about the size of a magazine.
2. Cut several 2 cm slits on one side of the flap with about 2 cm between them.
3. On the opposite side, cut identical slits which are even with the first set.  

Start attaching the lights by sliding one end of the cable into the corner slit and pull the cable through. Next, carefully wind the cable around to the opposite side of the cardboard, pulling it into the slit. Add cushion with packing materials and place in a larger box for safekeeping.

4 - Bunch them together

You can easily store the lights by bunching them together and securing them with a cable tie or elastic band. Doing this means you can keep them in their original packaging without needing to worry about tangles. You'll know precisely what the box contains when you are unpacking your decorations next year.

Store the original box of lights in a large sealable box or box. This will protect the lights against any dampness or other damages that might result from being stored for a year.

5 - Cable reel

Another clever idea is to use a cable reel to store your Christmas lights for next year. Some reels can hold a lot of lights, so this is an excellent option for longer strings or if you have several different lighting strings to store.

Connect all the strings of lighting and attach one end of the cables to the reel. Wrap the lights gently and evenly around and start spinning to wind the lights around. This option is a bit more expensive than others, but it's perfect if you have an extra cable reel you're not using. 

Where to store your Christmas lights

After packing your Christmas lights away, it's important to protect them by placing tissue or bubble wrap around them. If possible, store the lights in a plastic box to minimise the risk of water damage and allow for maximum protection. It's also essential to ensure the lights are out of reach of children and pets.

If your home is small or doesn't have a lot of available room for storage, there's plenty of other places you can safely store your lights. You could place them under a bed, in a wardrobe, or in an airing cupboard. Just make sure whatever area you use for storage is cool and dry and not near any heat source.

Taking the time to carefully organise your Christmas tree decorations this year will save you from a lot of stress next year. Rather than worrying about all the tangled lights you need to arrange, you can enjoy time decorating your tree with your family. If you need new Christmas tree lights in time for the festive season, browse our Christmas tree shop. We have everything from outdoor Christmas lights to brighten up your garden to battery powered LED Christmas lights which are ideal for decorating all around the house!

If you need help deciding how many lights or decorations you need for your tree, try our Christmas tree decoration calculator! You can also read our guide on how to put lights on a Christmas tree for help decorating next year.