Welcome, so glad you've decided to post instead of just lurk here! Great quesiton.

I bought some of those plastic storage boxes and don't care for any I've found so far. The problem I've found with these are I have so many different size balls and they won't hold the larger ones. And to big for the smaller ones.

The suitcase ones seem to hold more but I have way to many to store like this. I have started saving the boxes they come in but they take up alot of room when it comes to storing them too.

I hope someone will come up with a solution for us. I'm storing alot of mine in bags and totes this year hoping they will be fine since they won't be moved alot.

Punk

Having collected Xmas ornaments for 43 years (and not admitting I already have more than I need), you may imagine that storage is a huge problem for me! Firstly, because for 23 years, we had a live 12-foot tree that looked silly with just single ornaments, so I bought them in dozens, literally. Secondly, I still manage to find and buy new stuff every year. And I agree that storing them in their original boxes, if there are such, is bulky, even when multiple boxes are gathered into a large plastic bin. Not a terribly efficient use of space!

What to do? I found that for me, using intermediate-sized outer boxes works well. I have bought over the years many sets of the very pretty Bob's Boxes or Lang stackable boxes which are very sturdy, have lovely graphics so they become part of my holiday decor, and stack quite nicely in my three Xmas closets. In fact, I don't even put them back in the closets after I decorate -- just stack them around the room as part of the festive display. Easy to then take everything down without hunting out and lugging the boxes a second time.

You can find these on eBay and in some shops, tho I see that Lang is no longer opffering as many styles as they used to, sadly. You will have to wrap your individual ornaments in tissue to protect them inside the box, but that isn't too big a deal, I think. I then label the boxes with a sticky-note as to what is inside (if I remember to do it) which helps enormously. After all these years, and at my age, I have trouble remembering what is where!

Anyway, this is a long-winded coming-out of lurkdom! I just found this site a few weeks ago, and have thoroughly enjoyed everyone's gorgeous photos and ideas. If I ever figure out how to post photos here, I'll share. We have moved to an artificial 8-foot tree as I no longer enjoy teetering on a 14-foot ladder, so not everything gets used in any given year, but I do have between 3 and 6 trees I decorate besides the main one. It's fun doing "theme" trees now! I'm of the philosophy that Xmas can never be over-decorated, and if it doesn't move, hang a festive frippery on it, LOL!!

I use the snap-ware boxes (clear with green/red tops). I LOVE them! Each ornie can go in a separate compartment, or you can put more than one of some of the smaller ornies in one compartment. Also you can adjust the compartments if you have oversized ornies, or other tree-trimmings that you want to put in. Since you can see thru the compartments, it is easy to tell what they are in. Also, they are stackable. I keep mine in the sets of three for easy carrying, but you can add as many layers as you want. The top layer has a carrying handle.

Here is a link but I have always found them cheaper, Bed Bath Beyond and use coupon, or Lowes and I believe Home Depot.

Here is a link that might be useful: snap ware ornament storage

30 Years ago I purchased two cardboard boxes one for individual ornaments storage with three layers of inserts and partitions. The other just a box for lights/tree topper/garland. My tree is chalk full of ornaments. I have gotten rid of many over the years swapped them out as new was found. I have never had more than would fit in the box. My inserts are cardboard, as are the boxes. I too like pdg777 can make the compartments fit by doubling up or folding an insert for a larger space. I believe I got them from Domestications. I see the newer models, the clear plastic, the snap on tops and I am tempted. It seems my cardboard box is a perfect fit.

I have a sturdy box, think I got fruit in it 1 year long ago ,that I put all the odd sized or homemade ornaments wrapped in the select-a size paper towels to cushion them from earthquakes-haven't broken any since I started that. Jan

Ok, so far I managed to eliminate 2 large bins and 1 smaller bin of vintage xmas stuff for a garage sale or to take to the fleamarket. I decided to go thru all my xmas decor and ornaments and pick out the stuff I have not used or do not decorate with anymore. I might just wrap up the bulbs in tissue paper and put them back in my existing plastic bins with the carboard cutouts instead of trying to find smaller boxes.

Try the liquor store for compartment boxes. Wine boxes, etc. Great to store glasses and such for moving as well.

Betty

egg cartons work well for smaller ornaments.

Welcome, j&j! I noticed at Lowe's yesterday that they had smaller clear boxes for ornaments (after Christmas sale) ...instead of the big bins...these were 2 layer ones w/adjustable cardboard inserts. Jeanne S.

I use pretty much anything and everything - the two large tubs are just the cheapie plastic filler ornies - my pretty one of a kind ornaments are wrapped in bubble wrap, tissue, sandwhich bags (whatever works best)and laid in the shallow bins. I have kept the tubes and boxes that the multiple balls come in - I have some of my original ShinyBrite boxes that I still use .....

Lynne

I use what my mother used: a liquor store box with dividers in it and I wrap each ornament in tissue or paper towels. I enjoy the surprise of what I get as I unwrap each ornament the next year. lol.