Little-known hack for packing away Christmas lights to stop them from getting tangled

As we enter the new year, people will now be packing away their Christmas decorations for another year. Whilst it can be tempting to take them down and pack them up as quickly as possible, doing so can often lead to wire damage and broken bulbs.

Lighting experts have now shared six ways to neatly pack away lights to prevent damage and avoid creating a mess when it comes to next year.

Simple hacks include recycling boxes, bubble wrap and zip ties, whilst empty Pringles tubes are being dubbed the best way to store your Christmas lights without tangling them.

The expert says it is also important to store your lights away from damp conditions, as well as extreme light and heat, to prevent damage that could be disappointing when you take them out again.

Jon Saeed, managing director of LightingLegnds.com said: “It’s really important to store your lights away properly once the festivities are over.

“This will prevent your lights from getting damaged and it also means you won’t be faced with a tangled up mess next Christmas. Things like cardboard or an empty Pringles tube can be a great tool to wrap your lights around to prevent them from getting tangled.

“You’ll also want to avoid storing your lights in a humid or damp environment, over time this can damage your lights and cause rust and corrosion.”

Expert's six tips to pack away your Christmas lights safely:

Pringles tube

Believe it or not, a Pringles tube being devoured at Christmas can come in handy when the festivities end.

Make an incision in the lid large enough to fit the lights through. Once the plug is at the base of the lid, pop the lid back on and wrap your string of lights around the tube. It’s a hassle-free, inexpensive way to organise your Christmas lights,