How to Store Holiday Decorations So They Survive Texas Heat and Humidity
Melted candles, tangled lights, and mildewed wreaths usually come from bad storage, not age. Here is how to pack decorations so they come out ready next year.
The short answer: store holiday decorations in lidded plastic bins, with ornaments in divided trays and lights wound on cards, somewhere that doesn't bake in summer. In Texas, that usually means not the attic.
Why the attic is the worst place
Gulf Coast attics regularly climb past 120°F in July and August. That heat melts candles and wax ornaments, makes plastic brittle, fades fabric, and breaks down the glue in handmade decorations. Garages are a little better but add humidity, pests, and cardboard-eating silverfish.
Packing tips by item
- Glass ornaments: divided ornament boxes or egg cartons inside a bin, with tissue paper. Never newspaper; the ink transfers.
- String lights: test them, then wind around a piece of cardboard or a reel. Bag each strand with a note on where it goes.
- Wreaths: round wreath cases, or hang them from a hook inside a garment bag.
- Artificial tree: the original box rarely survives; use a tree storage bag with handles.
- Inflatables: make sure they're completely dry before folding, or they'll mildew.
- Heirloom pieces: wrap individually in acid-free tissue and keep them in climate control or indoors.
Label by when you'll use it
Number bins and label them "Tree," "Outdoor," "Mantel," and "Kitchen." Put the bins you open first at the front of your storage space.
Free up your garage
Holiday décor takes up garage space eleven months of the year. Moving it into an insulated unit ($100/month) protects it from heat and gives you your parking spot back. Many customers share one container for décor, camping gear, and other seasonal items.
Need a spot for the off-season? Request a quote or call 713-702-8451.
Frequently asked questions
Is it OK to store Christmas decorations in the attic in Texas?
It is not ideal. Texas attics can exceed 120°F in summer, which melts wax, warps plastic, and degrades glue and fabric. A cooler, dry space is better.
What is the best way to store Christmas lights?
Test them, then wind each strand around a piece of cardboard or a reel and store them in a labeled bag inside a lidded plastic bin.