December has a habit of getting out of hand. One minute the house feels festive, the next there’s wrapping paper on the floor, baubles on every surface and coats draped over anything that vaguely resembles a chair. With guests coming and going and decorations migrating from room to room, it doesn’t take much for things to tip into full Christmas chaos.
The good news is you don’t need to box everything up perfectly or invest in specialist plastic storage you’ll forget about by next year. A few simple, realistic storage tweaks can keep things feeling calm, contained and still properly festive, even in the busiest weeks of December.
Use Baskets as Festive “Drop Zones”
One of the easiest ways to keep Christmas clutter in check is to give it somewhere to go. Instead of decorations and accessories drifting into messy piles, a few well-placed baskets around the house act as simple drop zones you can use all season long.
By the front door, a basket is perfect for scarves, gloves, hats and those festive extras that only come out in December. It keeps everything tidy and means guests aren’t leaving bits all over the hallway.
Near the tree, another basket works brilliantly for spare baubles, hooks, ribbon and any last-minute decorations you’re still moving about. When everything’s close to hand, decorating and tidying up both feel far less chaotic.
Medium and large baskets tend to work best here, offering plenty of space without overwhelming the room, and they still look right sitting out throughout the festive season.
Keep Wrapping Supplies Together (and Mobile)
There’s nothing more frustrating than getting halfway through wrapping a present and realising the tape’s vanished, the tags are in another room and the scissors have gone walkabout. It’s usually at that point that the mess really starts to spread.
Using a deep basket or a storage trunk keeps all your wrapping essentials in one place (paper, tape, scissors, tags and ribbons) so you’re not constantly hunting things down. It also means you can move everything from room to room easily, without leaving a trail of half-wrapped gifts behind you.
If you’ve got lots of ribbons, bows and labels, basket sets are especially handy. Smaller baskets inside a larger one help keep everything separated, tangle-free and easy to grab when you need it.
Lights Without the Yearly Meltdown
Fairy lights have a talent for turning into an impossible knot the moment you stop looking at them. Left loose, they almost guarantee frustration when you try to use them again.
Taking a minute to coil lights into individual bundles makes a huge difference. Once wound, pop each set into a smaller basket or a lined tray to stop them from tangling with anything else.
It’s a simple habit, but it saves time, stress and a fair bit of swearing when December rolls around again.
Sort Tree Decorations by Type, Not by Room
One simple storage trick that often gets overlooked is sorting tree decorations by type rather than by where they’re used. It might seem obvious, but it makes a big difference when it comes to decorating and tidying up.
Keeping baubles together, ornaments together and more delicate or sentimental pieces in their own section helps everything stay organised and protected. Using smaller baskets inside larger ones, or adding basket inserts, makes it easy to separate items without needing loads of different containers.
When everything’s grouped properly, decorating is quicker, and there’s far less chance of fragile decorations getting knocked about or damaged.
Blanket Baskets Pulling Double Duty
Large baskets really come into their own at Christmas, doing far more than just holding blankets. They’re ideal for storing throws, spare cushions and even the odd hidden gift that needs to stay out of sight.
Keeping everything tucked away in one place helps sofas stay clear, and rooms feel calmer, which makes a big difference when guests arrive, and space is at a premium.
Best of all, it still looks intentional rather than messy, blending in with your décor instead of feeling like a last-minute tidy-up.
Storage That Looks Right at Christmas
Good storage shouldn’t have to be hidden away, especially at Christmas when everything’s on show. Baskets and trunks that suit the room can sit out comfortably as part of your décor, rather than being tucked away in cupboards or corners.
They’re useful throughout December, not just for packing things up afterwards. From holding blankets and decorations to keeping everyday clutter under control, they earn their place long before anything goes back into storage.
Compared to bulky plastic boxes, baskets and trunks offer a more flexible option that looks better, works harder and still feels at home in a festive space.
Christmas doesn’t need to be spotless to be enjoyable. A home that’s lived in, a bit busy and full of people is part of the season. The aim isn’t perfection, it’s making things easier on yourself.
A few smart storage habits can make a real difference, saving time, stress and space while keeping December feeling festive rather than frantic. Small changes now mean less chaos later, and more time to actually enjoy everything that makes Christmas feel like Christmas.
