Face it, you’re never going to get those strands back in the box they came in — so save those shipping boxes and make your own storage panels. Just cut a slot on either side of a piece of cardboard, stick the plug in one, wrap the lights around the center, and secure the end in the opposite slot. This approach also works for garlands, beads, and other long, tangle-prone decorations.

Insert the wreath into a heavy-duty garbage bag, then store by hanging on a wall in a garage or basement (or even under the stairs). Your wreath or garland won’t get crushed, and you’re free from having to spend money on a unitasker!

Store wrapping paper rolls in that unused space at the top of a closet—up by the ceiling! Learn how to create this smart storage solution using only anchors, screws, and some galvanized wire. You can keep ribbon smash-free in the closet, too, by using a tie hanger.

Don't throw out the egg cartons after baking your holiday cookies. Use them to store small or round ornaments. You can place multiple cartons in a larger box and hide them on a shelf or under the bed.

If you can't part with this year's holiday cards but find yourself stuffing them into overcrowded junk drawers, here's a better solution. Take a hole punch to the edges and bind the stack of cards together using metal rings. Pack them away with the holiday decorations and display them on the coffee table next year.

Unused Christmas candles can be saved for next year and protected from scratches by wrapping them in a sock. Even without a flame, candles can melt; be sure to store them away from a heat source.

When you're boxing up decorations, make an inventory of what's in each box and label accordingly. Come next year, you'll be able to unpack the exact decorations you need, cutting down on setup time.

Plastic bag dispensers can be easily repurposed to hold wrapping paper tubes. Tack the dispensers to the wall of the craft room, the inside of a closet door, or anywhere they'll be out of the way until next year's gift exchange.

Hang on to gift and shipping boxes and use them to store tree ornaments. Delicate glass and ceramic pieces can be stored in reused tissue paper or packaging materials. Alternatively, you can hot-glue plastic cups to cardboard sheets, and then place the sheets into a larger bin for a zero-risk solution.

Once you’ve got everything stashed away and protected, consider building one of these sliding storage systems to take advantage of your unused garage ceiling space.

For more organization tips for the new year, check out:

Closet Organization: 9 Pro Tips

10 Easy Kitchen Storage Hacks

10 "Neat" Garage Storage Solutions