How to Store Christmas Lights for Tangle-Free Decorating Next Year

There’s nothing like the twinkling of Christmas lights—or the frustration you feel when untangling them strand by strand. If you deck your house out for the holidays, it’s crucial to learn how to store Christmas lights to ensure a tangle-free experience each year. 

Learn the best ways to store Christmas lights, keep them organized, and make the next holiday season joyous from start to finish. 

Why You Should Properly Store Your Christmas Lights

Taking the time to store your Christmas decorations and lights keeps them safe while tucked away and makes next year’s decorating party a snap. Saving time—and frustration—is one of the best holiday gifts you can give yourself. 

Although exterior lights and decorations must deal with outdoor conditions during the holiday season, keeping them dry and safe from damage while in storage will ensure they last for many years to come.

How to Store Christmas Lights

If you dread dealing with tangled lights each year, learning how to store Christmas lights properly will help. Keep that holly jolly feeling going by checking out the best ways to store Christmas lights below and choosing your favorite method. Note: These methods should work well no matter which types of Christmas lights you prefer. 

If you need help taking down your lights (or hanging them up for the season), hire a holiday decorating pro.

1. Original Packaging Method 

Though it’s all but impossible to get a strand of Christmas lights back into their original box, it can still be a valuable storage tool. 

Here’s how to store Christmas lights using the original box:   

1. Tape the far end from the plug-in side of the light strand to the outside of the box.

2. Carefully wrap the lights around the box, creating coils from one side to the other without overlapping until you reach the end of the string. 

3. Plug the prongs into the taped end of the strand. 

4. Wrap with bubble wrap, tissue or wrapping paper, or another padding. 

5. Place in a box or tote for storage. 

6. Place a piece of cardboard or a similar item between light strand coils inside the box.  

2. Cardboard Method

If you’ve already discarded the holiday light boxes, you can still celebrate the season without fearing tangled lights next year. 

Follow these steps to organize your holiday lights with a piece of cardboard: 

1. Cut a rectangular piece of cardboard from a sturdy box large enough to wrap a light strand around several times (but not so large that it won’t fit into your storage box). 

2. If you wish, you can cut indentions on two sides to create the shape of a flat spool. 

3. Use scissors or a utility knife to make a 1-inch-deep slit on one side of the rectangle.

4. Insert one end of the light string into the slit.

5. Wrap the lights around the cardboard without overlapping individual coils.

6. Create another slit where the strand stops and insert the plug end into it to secure the lights.

7. Wrap the coil in tissue, wrapping paper, or padding before storing it in a box or plastic tote. 

3. Clothes Hanger Method 

Clothes hangers are like ready-made spools for holiday light strings. Plastic hangers with notches work best, but any extra hanger works well. 

Use these steps to organize your lights: 

1. Insert one end of a light strand into a notch in the hanger if one is present. 

2. Wrap the cord around the entire hanger from one side to the other. You’ll likely have to overlap coils.

3. Continue wrapping until you reach the end of the strand, and tuck the plug end into the other hanger notch.

4. If your hanger doesn’t have notches, secure the ends with tape. 

5. Hang the hanger in a closet or pack them in boxes with padding between coils. 

4. Wrapping Paper Tube Method

Running out of your favorite wrapping paper may not be such a bad thing after all. Reuse the cardboard tube to store your Christmas lights. 

Here’s how to store Christmas lights with a wrapping paper tube: 

1. Cut a long wrapping paper tube in half to create two storage tubes.

2. Cut a 1-inch slit at the end of the cylinder. 

3. Insert the wire of one end of the light strand into the slit

4. Wrap the cord around the tube, creating coils from one end to the other. 

5. Continue wrapping until you reach the end of the strand. You may have to overlap coils.

6. Cut another slit in the tube’s end and insert the other end of the light string.

7. Secure with tape if necessary before wrapping the coil and packing it in a box. 

5. Wooden Spool Method 

If you’re feeling a little more creative or want to create a long-term storage solution for your Christmas lights, build a wooden spooling device.

Here’s how:  

1. Cut an hourglass shape into the short, opposing sides of a wooden ¾-inch thick board. 

2. Secure one end of the light strand to the board with your hand while you wrap the first few coils around the board in the long direction.

3. After a few coils, the strand will stay in place on its own as you continue wrapping.

4. When you reach the end of the light string, plug one end into the other or use tape to secure the coil for storage. 

5. Store the coil in a box with appropriate padding to keep it safe. 

6. Chair Method 

Simply twisting your strand of lights into an organized bundle works well to keep them from becoming tangled. 

Learn how to store Christmas lights neatly with a chair: 

1. Turn a dining room-style chair over so its legs are sticking straight upwards.

2. Hold one end of the light string with your hand and begin winding the strand around two of the legs. Make a figure-eight shape with the strand. 

3. Continue winding in a figure-eight motion until you have a couple of feet left over.

4. Wrap the last couple of feet around the middle of the figure-8. 

5. Tie the ends of the cord or plug them together. 

6. Wrap the coil in padding and place it in a storage container. 

7. Plastic Sheet Method for Icicle Lights 

Keeping icicle lights from getting tangled in storage might feel like nothing short of a Christmas miracle but it’s possible. Use this method for icicle lights or multiple strands of single lights simultaneously. 

Here’s how to get started: 

1. Cut a long strip from a plastic sheeting roll and stretch it out on a clean, dry floor.

2. Lay the strand of lights from one end to the other. Double back the strand without overlapping as necessary. 

3. For multiple strands of single lights, lay the strings a few inches from each other. 

4. From one end, roll the plastic up with the lights encased within. 

5. Store as is or place padding between rolls in a storage box. 

8. Extension Cord Reel Method

If you think of it during your Christmas shopping, pick up a couple of extension cord winder reels while you’re out. You may think you’re reliving the magic of Christmas when you discover how easy it is to store your holiday lights with this method.

Here’s how to store Christmas lights with a cord reel: 

1. Insert one end of the light strand into the pre-cut notch in the spool. 

2. Gently turn the handle while feeding the strand into the reel. 

3. Plug the next strand into the first one already on the reel and continue winding. Add more light strings until the spool is full. 

4. Pack the spool away in a box with or without padding.

9. Bagged Storage Method

Need to find a use for the many gift bags you accumulate during the holidays? Use them to keep your lights tidy in storage.

1. Collect several small- to medium-sized gift bags.

2. Label each bag according to the location of your lights, such as “windows” and “trees.”

3. Wind each strand of lights in a tight circle, using your arm to coil each one. 

4. Tie the light loop together with a zip tie or other study tool.

5. Drop the light loops into the appropriate bag.

7 Tips to Organize and Store Your Christmas Lights

Now that you know the best ways to store Christmas lights, follow these simple tips to keep them safe, secure, and organized. 

1. Ensure your lights and decorations are dry before placing them in storage.

2. Work slowly and carefully to avoid damaging fragile bulbs and wires.

3. Pack lights loosely in boxes with bubble wrap, padding, wrapping paper, or cardboard between each item.

4. Use plastic totes with tight-fitting lids if there’s a chance the storage location may experience dampness.

5. Label boxes with the contents of each. 

6. Store all of your Christmas decorations in one place. 

7. Use color-coding or numbering to identify which lights and decorations go in your display.

DIY vs. Hiring a Pro

Although installing Christmas lights can be a fun way to kick off the holiday season, it can be dangerous work, and it’s not everyone’s idea of a joyous occasion. Taking lights down can be even more of a dreaded task. 

If you handle installation and removal yourself, follow all safety procedures if you’re using a ladder, stay off wet roofs at all costs, and ensure your electric holiday lights have safe power sources.

If decorating the exterior of your home for Christmas doesn’t fill you with holiday cheer, hire a local Christmas light installation company to take on your project. They’ll be happy to come back and safely remove them too. 

Professional holiday light installation costs anywhere from $220 to $650, depending on the size of your home, number of lights, and complexity.