Opening the closet where holiday decorations are kept is always a little stressful. There’s a mix of cheap plastic totes and old shoeboxes, and every year the hope is that the glass ornaments bought for $2 at a post-Christmas sale survived the summer. Last year, three were lost. Three! That was the final straw.
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You don't need to spend a fortune to protect your ornaments. In fact, some of the best storage solutions are surprisingly affordable. I’ve spent way too much time digging through bins, testing dividers, and wrapping baubles in newspaper to bring you this list. Here are the best cheap ornament storage boxes that actually do the job without breaking the bank.
If this helped, you'll also want to read How to Organize Holiday Decorations Cheaply (Undo the Tangle), Garage Organization on a Budget: Cheap Ideas That Work and Best Cheap Storage Bins for Closets That Actually Look Good.
What to look for
Before we get to the specific products, here is what I keep in mind when I’m shopping. These criteria have saved me from buying useless junk more than once.
- Cell size: This is the most important factor. If you have large, fragile glass balls, you need deeper cells. If you have a lot of small ornaments, you need more compartments. Look for boxes with at least 2.5-inch deep cells for standard ornaments.
- Material: Look for corrugated cardboard with a decent weight or polypropylene plastic. Cardboard is cheap and fine for stacking, but plastic is more resistant to moisture and pests in a garage or basement.
- Latch security: A flimsy tab that pops open is a disaster waiting to happen. Look for positive locking latches. I prefer boxes with a handle that is part of the lid, not just glued on.
- Stackability: You will end up stacking these. Make sure the box has flat sides and a sturdy lid. Flimsy lids will crush under the weight of a second or third box.
- Versatility: Some boxes come with removable dividers. This is great because you can adjust the space for odd-shaped items like snowmen or small figurines that don't fit standard round cells.
- Price per unit: Don't just look at the sticker price. Look at how many ornaments the box holds and divide the cost by that number. You might be surprised to find that a slightly more expensive box holds twice as many ornaments, making it the cheaper option in the long run.
Quick comparison
Here is a simple breakdown of the top contenders I’ll cover in detail below.
| Product | Price | Best For | Key Pros |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sterilite 32-Quart Tote | $10 - $15 | Bulk storage | Cheap, stackable, clear plastic |
| Lion & Fox Ornament Storage Box | $25 - $35 | Heavy glass ornaments | Rigid, deep cells, secure latches |
| Holiday Time Ornament Storage Box | $15 - $20 | Standard baubles | Layered design, easy to carry |
| STADIUM Goods Ornament Storage | $30 - $40 | Large collections | Heavy-duty plastic, wheels |
| Zober Ornament Storage Box | $20 - $25 | Versatile storage | Adjustable dividers, strong handle |
| IRIS Ornament Storage | $18 - $22 | Lightweight ornaments | Clear view, snap-lock lid |
The top cheap ornament storage boxes
I’ve broken down the best options based on different needs. Here is my honest take on each one.
Sterilite 32-Quart Clear Tote
- Price: Around $12
- What makes it great: This is the ultimate budget hack. Instead of buying a specialized box, a few of these clear totes can serve the purpose. They are incredibly cheap and widely available at any big-box store. The clear plastic lets you see exactly what is inside without opening the lid.
- The downside: They don't come with dividers. You have to create your own. A DIY method of cutting cardboard strips to make a grid, or simply wrapping each ornament in tissue paper and nestling them in layers, is often suggested. It takes a little more prep time.
- Who should buy it: This is perfect for the person who wants maximum value and doesn't mind a little DIY. It's also great for storing non-breakable ornaments or extra lights and tinsel on the bottom layers. These work well for kids' plastic ornaments and the garlands, leaving the specialized boxes for the fragile glass.
Lion & Fox Ornament Storage Box
- Price: Around $30
- What makes it great: This box is a tank. It has a very rigid, corrugated cardboard exterior with a reinforced handle. The interior has 27 individual cells that are deep enough to hold large, heavy glass ornaments without them touching the lid. The latches are strong and click shut securely. I've stacked three of these on top of each other for two years with zero crushing.
- The downside: It’s a bit more expensive than the basic options. Also, the cells are a fixed size, so you can't really fit anything wider than a standard ball in there. It’s not flexible.
- Who should buy it: If you have a collection of heirloom or heavy glass ornaments that you are terrified of losing, this is the box for you. The peace of mind is worth the extra few bucks. I keep my vintage mercury glass ornaments in this one.
Holiday Time Ornament Storage Box
- Price: Around $17
- What makes it great: This is a classic layered box. It has a top tray that holds one layer of ornaments and a bottom section for another layer. It’s a simple concept, but it works really well. The cardboard is thick enough to hold its shape, and the handle is comfortable to carry.
- The downside: The latches are a bit simple. They are just fold-over tabs, not locking clips. I've had one pop open when I was carrying it down the stairs. Also, the bottom section is a bit shallow, so very large ornaments will touch the bottom of the tray above them.
- Who should buy it: This is a great middle-ground option for the average household. It holds about 64 ornaments, which is perfect for a standard tree. It’s a good first purchase if you are upgrading from shoeboxes and don't want to spend a lot.
STADIUM Goods Ornament Storage
- Price: Around $35
- What makes it great: This is the premium option on the list, but it’s still affordable compared to similar heavy-duty brands. It’s a large, rolling bin made of sturdy polypropylene. It has a capacity for 108 ornaments and features a removable divider tray. The wheels are a game-changer if you have a big tree and need to move heavy boxes around the house.
- The downside: It’s bulky. It takes up a lot of space in the closet because it’s a big rectangle. The price is also on the higher end of my "cheap" scale, but the durability justifies it.
- Who should buy it: If you have a 7-foot tree and a ton of ornaments, this will save you from carrying multiple boxes. I use this for my main collection, and the wheels make it so much easier to roll it out from under the stairs every November.
Zober Ornament Storage Box
- Price: Around $22
- What makes it great: This box uses a different system. Instead of fixed cells, it has adjustable dividers that you can move to create custom-sized compartments. This is fantastic for all those weird-shaped ornaments—the ceramic snowmen, the wooden soldiers, the little Santa figurines that don't fit in circles.
- The downside: The dividers can shift if you don't pack the box tightly. You need to make sure the ornaments are snug against the dividers to keep them in place. The outer shell is felt, which looks nice but can pick up dust over time.
- Who should buy it: This is for the person who has a mixed collection of round and oddly-shaped ornaments. It gives you the flexibility to protect everything. I use this for my non-ball ornaments that always seem to get broken.
IRIS Ornament Storage
- Price: Around $19
- What makes it great: This is a clear plastic box with a snap-lock lid. It’s lightweight and very easy to handle. The clear case makes it simple to identify which box has the red and gold set versus the blue and silver set. The dividers are sturdy and hold the ornaments securely.
- The downside: It’s not as robust as the Lion & Fox box. The plastic is a bit thinner, so I wouldn't stack heavy items on top of it. It holds about 24 ornaments, which is fewer than the cardboard options.
- Who should buy it: This is a great choice for a specific set of ornaments, like a themed collection, or if you have a small tree. It’s also excellent for storing ornaments in a humid environment like a basement, as the plastic won't warp like cardboard.
The bottom line
For most people, I’d say the Holiday Time Ornament Storage Box is the best cheap option. It hits the sweet spot of price, capacity, and protection. If you have heavier glass ornaments, spend a little more on the Lion & Fox Ornament Storage Box. And if you have a massive collection, the STADIUM Goods Ornament Storage is a worthwhile investment.
Don’t overthink it. Just measure the size of your biggest ornament, check the cell depth of the box you like, and buy it. A few dollars spent now is way cheaper than replacing a whole set of ornaments next December.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many ornaments fit in a standard storage box?
A standard layered box like the Holiday Time option holds about 64 ornaments. A single-layer box with a larger footprint, like the STADIUM Goods, can hold up to 108. The smaller plastic cases typically hold 24 to 32 ornaments.
Are cardboard or plastic ornament boxes better?
Cardboard boxes are usually cheaper and often have deeper, more rigid cells that are great for heavy ornaments. Plastic boxes are better for resisting moisture and are easier to see through. For storage in a damp garage, go with plastic. For a dry closet, cardboard is fine.
Can I use these boxes for things other than ornaments?
Absolutely. I use my smaller plastic ones for storing delicate Christmas tree toppers, glass candle holders, and even string lights (I wrap them around a piece of cardboard first). The ones with adjustable dividers are also great for storing small craft supplies or jewelry.
