When the holiday season comes to a close and it’s time to pack away the Christmas decor, taking down your outdoor Christmas lights may not be quite as exciting as putting them up, but a little extra care now can make decorating next Christmas so much easier.
Properly removing and storing your lights helps protect bulbs and wiring from damage, keeps cords from becoming a tangled mess, and prevents unnecessary exposure to moisture and changing temperatures. Most importantly, it helps your Christmas lighting stay beautiful and reliable season after season!
Before you pack everything away until next year, follow these simple tips for taking down and storing outdoor Christmas lights like a pro.
Taking Down Your Outdoor Christmas Lights
Before removing a single strand, grab your phone and take a few pictures of your completed display.
We recommend taking photos both at night and during the day. Your nighttime photos give you a clear reference for the overall look and placement of your lights, while daytime photos can help you remember where strands connect, where junctions are located, and how your lighting moves between different rooflines and elevations.
Think of these photos as your decorating roadmap for next Christmas. Instead of trying to remember exactly how everything was installed months later, you’ll have an easy visual reference ready to go.
When it’s time to start taking down the lights, a ladder certainly works, but a painter’s pole can make the process faster and help you remove lights from many areas without repeatedly climbing up and down.
Because painter’s poles are adjustable, the same pole can typically reach several different elevations. Starting a few bulbs down from the end of the strand—around the third or fourth bulb—can also give you better leverage. Place the hook beneath the cord, twist gently, and allow the lights (and clips too, depending on style) to release.
As you work your way around your home, pay special attention to junctions and connection points. Labeling these areas now can save plenty of guesswork when next Christmas rolls around.
Colored tape, labeled zip ties, or another simple marking system can help identify where strands connect or transition to another section of your display. Better yet, create your labeling system when you first install your lights so everything is already organized when takedown day arrives.
How to Store Outdoor Christmas Lights
Once the lights are safely down, the next step is storing them in a way that keeps cords organized and bulbs protected.
One of our favorite techniques is the perimeter method, sometimes called the storage tote method.
Start with a sturdy storage container. While a cardboard box can work, a 27-gallon plastic tote is a great option because it’s durable, water-resistant, and provides plenty of room for additional Christmas decor.
Place a cylindrical or cone-shaped object in the center of the tote. Then begin laying your light strand in large loops around the perimeter of the container and the center object.
The key is consistency: keep each loop moving in the same direction. Changing directions halfway through can create twists and tangles that make unpacking your lights much more frustrating next season.
Large, even loops help keep the cord relaxed and organized without tightly wrapping or stressing the wiring. When it’s time to decorate again, you can simply work your way through the strand rather than wrestling with a knot of Christmas lights.
Depending on how many strands you’re storing, you may still have plenty of room left inside the tote. Use that extra space for other coordinating decor, such as coiled mini lights, cluster lights, or even garland. Soft greenery can also provide a little extra cushioning around your lighting.
Once everything is organized, secure the lid and store the tote in a cool, dry location where your Christmas decor will stay protected until next season.
Garages, basements, attics, closets, and other storage spaces can all work depending on your home, but whenever possible, choose an area that limits exposure to excessive moisture and extreme temperature fluctuations.
Make Next Christmas Even Easier
A little organization at the end of the season can make a big difference when it’s time to decorate again. By photographing your display, labeling connections, carefully removing strands, and storing your lights in large, organized loops, you’ll be setting yourself up for a much smoother decorating day next Christmas.
Want to see the process in action? Watch this video on Removing and Storing Lights, for a visual walkthrough and even more helpful tips.
At Decorator’s Warehouse, we believe your best Christmas ever starts with having the right decor, and knowing how to care for it season after season. Whether you’re shopping for new outdoor Christmas lighting or looking for designer tips to make decorating a little easier, explore our blog and YouTube channel for more Christmas inspiration, tutorials, and ideas from our team.