Garage · Christmas guide
Christmas Wreath Storage Container Guide for Small Homes
How to pick a Christmas wreath storage container and store garland in a small home, plus where to stack it in a garage or closet so it stays fresh for next year.
Updated November 2026
Quick answer: A rigid, round Christmas wreath storage container with a lid and a handle is the best pick for most small homes: it protects the wreath's shape, stacks well, and fits on a garage shelf or a high closet shelf. Garland stores best loosely coiled in a zippered fabric bag or wound around a cardboard tube, so it doesn't crush or tangle.
Top picks at a glance
Hard-shell round wreath storage container with lid
- Pros: The rigid shell keeps a full, decorated wreath from getting flattened when other bins sit on top of it on a garage shelf.
- Con: It holds its full round size even when empty, so measure your shelf depth before you buy one for a 24-inch or 30-inch wreath.
Zippered fabric wreath storage bag with handles
- Pros: It squeezes into odd gaps, like the top of a coat closet or under a bed, and it's light enough to pull down from a high shelf with one hand.
- Con: The soft sides give no crush protection, so don't stack heavy boxes on it, and don't leave it on a damp garage floor.
Garland storage bag or bin with reel tubes
- Pros: Winding garland around the included tubes or in long sleeves stops tangling and shedding, and it hangs back up quickly next year.
- Con: Thick pre-lit garland with chunky plugs can be hard to coil tightly, so the bag may hold fewer feet than the label says.
Quick comparison
| Option | Why it works in a small home | Before you buy |
|---|---|---|
| Hard-shell round wreath storage container with lid | The rigid shell keeps a full, decorated wreath from getting flattened when other bins sit on top of it on a… | It holds its full round size even when empty, so measure your shelf depth before you buy one for a 24-inch or… |
| Zippered fabric wreath storage bag with handles | It squeezes into odd gaps, like the top of a coat closet or under a bed, and it's light enough to pull down… | The soft sides give no crush protection, so don't stack heavy boxes on it, and don't leave it on a damp… |
| Garland storage bag or bin with reel tubes | Winding garland around the included tubes or in long sleeves stops tangling and shedding, and it hangs back… | Thick pre-lit garland with chunky plugs can be hard to coil tightly, so the bag may hold fewer feet than the… |
Why a wreath needs its own container
A wreath looks sturdy, but it's mostly air held in place by a wire frame. If you toss it in a general bin with other decorations, the branches flatten, bows crease, and picks or ornaments snap off. In a small home it usually ends up wedged sideways behind something heavier, and that's how wreaths get ruined. A dedicated christmas wreath storage container gives it a fixed round space that holds its shape, and the lid keeps out dust, pests and garage grime. It also solves a space problem: once your wreath sits in a flat, stackable round case, it uses the same footprint every year and you can plan your shelves around it. If you only keep one wreath, one container is worth it. If you rotate a few, nest smaller wreaths inside a larger case with tissue paper between them so the hangers and bows don't scratch each other.
Hard case or soft bag: which fits your space
Choose based on where the wreath will live. Hard-shell round containers are best for garages and basements, where things get stacked and bumped and the temperature swings. They protect against crushing and moisture, and most have a handle and a latching lid. Their only downside is bulk, since they never shrink. Zippered fabric bags suit apartments with no garage, because they slip into the gap above a closet rod, behind hanging coats, or under a bed if your wreath is slim. They weigh little and fold flat if you ever skip decorating. Measure the wreath's widest point, including the bow, and add an inch or two for clearance. Most containers come in standard sizes that match common wreath diameters, so check the inside measurements, not just the label. For more garage shelving ideas, see our garage storage hub.
How to store garland without tangles
Garland is the decoration most likely to come out of storage as a hopeless knot. The fix is to coil it around something instead of bunching it. A cardboard wrapping-paper tube, a pool noodle, or the reels that come with some garland bags all work. Start at the plug end if it's pre-lit, wind loosely, and tape or clip the far end so it can't unravel. Then lay the coils flat in a long bag or a shallow bin rather than standing them up. Don't wrap too tight, because that bends the wire branches and leaves gaps next year. If you have several lengths, label each one with where it goes, like front door or mantel, so you're not unwinding everything to find the right piece. Real cedar or pine garland can't be stored and should be composted after the season.
Where to put it in a small home or garage
Wreaths and garland are light but bulky, so they belong up high, where heavy everyday items can't reach. In a garage, the top shelf of a metal shelving unit or a ceiling-mounted overhead rack works well: you only need these items once a year. Keep them away from the water heater, dryer vents, and the wall shared with a car exhaust, since heat makes artificial needles brittle. Never store them right on a concrete floor, where moisture wicks up. Without a garage, check the top of a hall closet, the space above kitchen cabinets, or a shelf in a spare room closet. A wreath case can also hang on a sturdy hook on the back of a closet door if it has a handle. Keep all holiday storage together in one zone so setup day takes one trip.
Our take
For most small homes, buy one hard-shell round wreath container sized for your main door wreath and one garland bag with reels, then store both on the highest garage or closet shelf you can reach safely. That pair covers the two pieces that get damaged most often, and it keeps holiday clutter from creeping into your everyday storage. Pick a soft zippered bag instead only if you have no garage and need something that squeezes into tight gaps. Before you pack anything, fluff the wreath, take off fragile ornaments and store those separately, and make sure everything is completely dry. Add a simple label to each container's lid. Next year you'll pull down a wreath that looks the way it did when you put it away, and you won't spend an hour fighting a garland knot on the living room floor.
FAQ
What size wreath storage container do I need?
Measure your wreath at its widest point, including the bow and any picks, then pick a container whose inside diameter is an inch or two bigger. A 24-inch wreath usually needs a container sold for 24- to 26-inch wreaths.
Can I store a wreath and garland in the same container?
You can tuck a short, lightly coiled garland into the center opening of a large wreath case, but long or pre-lit garland is better in its own bag so neither one gets crushed.
Is it OK to store Christmas decorations in a hot garage?
Short spells of heat are usually fine, but steady high heat can make artificial needles brittle and wear down lights, so use the coolest, driest shelf and keep items off the floor and away from appliances.
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