Build a Holiday Decorating Kit That Goes Where You Do
The fun part of holiday decorating is bringing your ideas to life. Keeping clips, wrapped cords and the right accessories together helps you spend more of that time arranging the display and less time gathering supplies.
To organize holiday decorating supplies, group them by decorating area, put small accessories in labeled pouches or boxes, and carry each group in a crate that fits your supplies and storage space. You will have a reusable decorating-day kit ready to bring out, work from and reset for the next project.
At FLI Products, our CrateMate storage crates make that approach straightforward. Made in the USA from heavy-duty HDPE, the 16QT and 24QT models combine open hex-grid sides, molded carrying handles and a stackable design. The grid helps you see contents, the handles make the kit practical to carry, and the two footprints give you a choice for your space. Explore the CrateMate Hub for more ways to organize everyday supplies.
Your Holiday Decorating Kit at a Glance
- Choose a decorating area or task for each kit.
- Keep clips and replacement parts in labeled closed organizers.
- Label wrapped light strands and unplugged cords by location.
- Choose the CrateMate size that fits your supplies and shelf space.
- Keep a short checklist with the kit so it is easy to replenish and reuse.
Build your own kit around the accessories you use. CrateMate is available as a single crate or a 3-pack; decorating supplies and inner organizers are purchased separately.
1. Start With Where You Decorate
Think about the places you decorate. A front-porch kit might bring together the supplies for rail lights and a doorway wreath. An indoor tree kit could hold ornament hooks, a tree skirt and the accessories you reach for while decorating.
Useful categories include front porch, indoor tree, mantel and outdoor light accessories. Choose the categories that match your home. One focused kit can serve a simple setup, while several labeled kits make it easy to decorate in stages.
Use the crate for the working supplies that support each task, with large decorations and delicate ornaments in their own suitable storage. That way, the kit you carry contains just what you need for the next part of the project.
2. Create Your Holiday Decorating Supply Checklist
Gather your supplies before choosing a crate size. A practical Christmas decorating supply kit might include:
- Light strands wrapped separately on suitable reels or sturdy cards.
- Unplugged extension cords, coiled loosely and labeled by decorating area.
- Light clips and ornament hooks in small closed containers.
- Matching replacement bulbs and fuses in their original packaging.
- Reusable ties and labels for grouping supplies.
- Product instructions and a sketch or photograph of the arrangement.
- A short inventory card showing what belongs in the kit.
Choose electrical accessories rated for the decorations and conditions where you will use them. Keep any batteries in protective packaging according to their storage instructions.
Start with the supplies for one task, such as decorating a porch rail, and leave room to reach the items you use most.
3. Give Small Accessories Their Own Home
CrateMate's open top provides easy access when the crate is unstacked, while its hex-grid sides offer visibility and airflow. Closed pouches and small boxes complement that design by keeping tiny accessories together inside the crate.
Try one labeled container for light clips, another for ornament hooks and a third for packaged replacement parts. Bring the relevant container to your work area, then return it to the kit when you finish.
Place the items you reach for first near the top, slip instructions into a protective sleeve and give fragile parts their own protected space. A few simple organizing choices make the kit pleasant to use.
4. Organize Christmas Lights and Cords by Location
Wrap each light strand separately on a suitable reel or card, following its manufacturer's care guidance. Add a location label such as Front Porch Rail or Living Room Tree. Coil disconnected extension cords loosely without sharp bends.
Keep each strand with its matching accessories and a note or photograph of the layout. You can recreate a favorite arrangement or adjust it for a fresh look without starting the planning process again.
For outdoor decorating, store a clean, dry CordSafe enclosure with the relevant supplies between uses. CordSafe adds weather-resistant protection around one compatible temporary plug connection. Pair it with outdoor-rated equipment and appropriate GFCI protection, and position connections according to the instructions, clear of standing water and walking routes. Explore the CordSafe Hub for product-specific guidance.
For a coordinated plan beyond the supply kit, see our outdoor Christmas yard setup and storage guide.
5. Choose a CrateMate Size for Your Kit
Both CrateMate sizes feature heavy-duty HDPE construction, molded carrying handles, open hex-grid sides and Made in USA manufacturing. Choose the footprint that works with your supplies, storage location and carrying routine.
| Specification | CrateMate 16QT | CrateMate 24QT |
|---|---|---|
| Listed capacity | 16 quarts | 24 quarts |
| Exterior dimensions | 13 × 13 × 12 inches | 18½ × 12½ × 11 inches |
| Interior dimensions | 12 × 12 × 11 inches | 17¾ × 12 × 10¼ inches |
| Useful starting point | A compact square kit for smaller groups of accessories | A longer kit for supplies that benefit from more interior length |
| Pack options | Single crate or 3-pack | Single crate or 3-pack |
Choose 16QT for a Compact Decorating Kit
The CrateMate 16QT storage crate has a compact square footprint. It is a useful starting point for a porch accessory kit or a focused collection of small organizers. Compare your largest organizer with its 12 × 12 × 11-inch interior to plan the arrangement.
Choose 24QT When Interior Length Matters
The CrateMate 24QT storage crate provides a longer interior for wrapped supplies or a larger group of accessories. Compare your reels and organizers with its 17¾ × 12 × 10¼-inch interior, leaving room to lift them out comfortably.
Measure your shelf and allow room to retrieve the crate. Keep the loaded kit comfortable to carry and follow product loading and stacking guidance, with crates seated securely on stable support.
6. Label the Kit for an Easy Decorating Routine
A useful label tells you where the kit goes and what belongs inside. Front Porch: Rail Lights and Clips gives you a clear destination and an instant reminder of the contents.
Add an inventory card with the main supplies, any replacement items needed and a photo of the finished arrangement. Keep it in a protective sleeve or closed organizer inside the crate.
For a multi-area setup, a 3-pack gives you three crates to organize by decorating zone. You might dedicate one to the porch, one to indoor accessories and one to outdoor light supplies. Choose the arrangement that makes your decorating routine easiest to follow.
7. Reset the Kit for Next Time
Return unused accessories to their labeled organizers, note anything to replenish and put the kit back in its designated place. At the end of the season, safely disconnect electrical items, inspect and dry reusable supplies, then wrap and label them for next time.
Store the kit in a dry area. Pair the open crate with protective inner containers for items needing dust or moisture enclosure, and use separate padded storage for delicate ornaments. CrateMate keeps the supplies organized and portable; the inner containers provide the enclosure those items need.
After the holidays, the same task-based approach works for gardening accessories, hobby supplies and garage projects. CrateMate can move with the way you use your space throughout the year.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I keep in a holiday decorating kit?
Group the supplies for one decorating area: wrapped light strands, loosely coiled unplugged cords, clips, packaged replacement parts, labels and instructions. Keep small accessories in labeled closed organizers inside the crate.
How do I organize Christmas light clips and small accessories?
Sort them by purpose into labeled closed pouches or small boxes. Store those organizers with the matching lights or decorating-area kit so the right accessories are easy to find.
How should I organize Christmas lights and extension cords?
Wrap each light strand separately on a suitable reel or card, coil disconnected cords loosely and label everything by location. Follow the manufacturers' care guidance and dry supplies before storage.
Should I choose a 16QT or 24QT CrateMate for decorating supplies?
Choose the 16QT for a compact square footprint or the 24QT for greater interior length. Compare your supplies and shelf space with the listed interior and exterior dimensions, allowing room to retrieve the crate and its contents.
Are CrateMate crates Made in the USA?
Yes. Both the CrateMate 16QT and 24QT storage crates are Made in the USA from heavy-duty HDPE.
What do I need to build a CrateMate holiday decorating kit?
Start with a CrateMate crate and add your own decorating supplies, labels and small closed organizers. Choose a single crate for one area or a 3-pack for multiple decorating zones. Decorating supplies and inner organizers are purchased separately.
How can I use CrateMate for seasonal holiday storage?
Keep clean, dry supplies organized in a dry storage area. Use protective inner containers for items needing dust or moisture enclosure and separate padded storage for delicate ornaments. The open crate keeps the kit organized and portable.
Make Your Next Decorating Day Easier to Organize
Start with the area you want to decorate, gather the supplies for that task and choose a crate that fits. A labeled kit makes it straightforward to bring the right accessories along and return them to one place afterward.
Shop CrateMate storage crates at FLI Products to compare the compact 16QT and longer 24QT options, available as single crates or 3-packs. Build a setup that works for this holiday season and the projects that come next.
About FLI Products
FLI Products brings together practical products for everyday tasks at home, in the garden and around the workshop. CrateMate is an FLI Products brand, offering Made in USA storage crates for organizing and carrying supplies.
