The best way to pack holiday decorations for a move is simple. Sort them by fragility, wrap each ornament on its own, and label every box by holiday and room. Pack them early if you move before December. Pack them last if the holiday is still ahead of you.
Moving this winter and short on time? LiteMovers can handle the wrapping and the lifting. Call (610) 755-5535 or request a written estimate.
Holiday boxes are the ones that surprise people. They hold glass, wire, heirlooms, and things you have not touched since January. When a crew has to pack them in a hurry, the ornaments with the most memories are usually the ones that break. A short plan done a few days ahead changes that.
Should holiday decorations go first or last?
Match the packing order to your moving date, not to the season in general. Decorations are the one category where the right answer flips depending on the week you move.
Moving before Thanksgiving
You can pack holiday decorations right now. Nobody needs the wreath box in the next three weeks, so it makes a good first project. Finish it early and label it for the new home.
Moving in December
Keep one small set of decorations out and pack the rest. Then pack holiday decorations you are still using on the last evening, and mark that box open first. Our guide to what to pack for the first night helps you decide what rides in your own car.
Moving in January or February
This is the easiest case. The decorations are already boxed, so check each container, replace any cracked bins, and add a label. Your winter moving tips apply here too.
How do you pack holiday decorations without breaking them?
Use this sequence the first time you pack holiday decorations. It takes about one evening for an average household.
- Sort everything by type: ornaments, lights, wreaths and garland, tabletop pieces, and the tree.
- Wrap each fragile piece in tissue or plain packing paper. Newsprint can smudge painted finishes.
- Place wrapped pieces in dividers or a snug bin, heaviest items at the bottom.
- Fill every gap with crumpled paper so the contents cannot slide.
- Seal the box and label it with the holiday, the room, and the word fragile on two sides.
- Stack the boxes by weight, with lighter garland and wreath boxes on top.
Our packing tips page covers wrapping basics, and the box labeling guide shows a label system that works for the unpacking day. Good labels matter when you pack holiday decorations, because those boxes stay closed for months.
What are the trickiest holiday items to pack?
Glass ornaments and heirlooms
Wrap each one on its own. When you pack holiday decorations that can shatter, never stack ornaments loose in a box. Keep the original packaging if you still have it. For a family heirloom, use a small box of its own and write the owner on the label.
String lights and cords
Wind lights around a piece of stiff cardboard or a hanger, then bag them. Tangled strands are the top complaint from people who pack holiday decorations in a rush. Check cords for fraying before you pack them, and decide now to toss any that look worn.
Artificial trees, wreaths, and garland
To pack holiday decorations as large as a tree, take it apart into sections and bag each one. Wreaths need a box that keeps their shape, so do not squeeze them under heavier cartons. Garland can coil into a bin without trouble.
Which holiday items should you leave behind?
Be honest about what is worth moving. Lights with brittle wires, a tree that sheds on every shake, and ornaments with cracked caps all cost box space. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission publishes holiday decorating safety tips that are a useful guide when deciding which cords and candles to retire.
Flammable liquids, lighter fuel, and aerosol sprays generally cannot ride on a moving truck. Ask your estimator for the full list before moving day. The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission also offers a consumer brochure on hiring a certified household goods mover.
What changes for a Main Line or Chester County move?
Many homes on the Main Line and in Chester County have narrow staircases, finished basements, and detached garages where holiday bins sit for eleven months. Cold garages and damp basements can warp cardboard, so move old boxes into fresh ones before the crew arrives. If you are headed to a new home in the area, our Main Line residential moving page explains how we plan for access.
Short on storage at the new place? Decorations are a classic candidate for a few weeks of packing and storage, then delivered after the holidays when you have space.
Is it worth hiring packers for decorations?
It can be, especially when the move date is close and the house is full. A crew that packs every day can wrap an ornament collection in a fraction of the time. If you are weighing it, read pack yourself or hire us and decide room by room. Many families pack holiday decorations themselves and hand off the kitchen and the closets.
Frequently asked questions
Should I pack holiday decorations before or after everything else?
It depends on the calendar. If you move before Thanksgiving, pack them early because you will not need them for weeks. If you move in December or January, pack them last and keep them in a clearly marked box that rides on the final load.
What is the best box for glass ornaments?
A sturdy box with cardboard cell dividers, or a rigid plastic bin with individual compartments, works best. Wrap each ornament in tissue or packing paper first, then add crumpled paper at the top so nothing shifts when the box is lifted.
Can movers transport an artificial Christmas tree?
Yes, an artificial tree can ride on the truck. Break it into sections and bag each one. A tree storage bag keeps branches from snagging other items. Keep the stand and hardware in a labeled box.
Is it safe to move real candles and scented oils with holiday decor?
Pillar candles and wax melts can go in a box if they are wrapped and kept away from heat. Flammable liquids, lighter fuel, and aerosol sprays are a different story, so ask your estimator which household items cannot ride on a moving truck.
Ready to pack holiday decorations without the stress, or hand the whole job to a crew? Call (610) 755-5535 or request a written estimate.
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