True story: I almost had to throw out my expensive Christmas lights this year because I simply could not get them untangled.
Despite meticulously winding them up the year before, the decorations emerged as a knotted mess that, were it not for my partner's endless patience, would've been on a one-way journey to the trash.
So, in a bid to not make the same mistake next year, I'm willing to try just about anything to prevent tangles in Christmas 2026. And according to David Sumner, Sales Manager at Christmas Tree World, the secret could be a summer essential: a pool noodle.
How a pool noodle can save Christmas
I think this hack makes total sense. By wrapping your lights around something soft yet sturdy, they'll remain untangled all through the year, and you won't have any trouble unwinding them.
"Pool noodles are surprisingly perfect for light storage," says Sumner. "Wrapping lights around them stops knots, protects wires, and means you can unwrap and decorate in minutes next year."
Best of all, beause pool noodles are so flexible, you can contort your lights into any number of shapes to fit into your existing storage.
Other storage tips
Another storage tip is to use an old Pringles can to store your decorations. According to Sumner, this popular snack's handy storage tube is the ideal item for keeping tinsel safe.
"Sliding tinsel into tubes keeps it fluffy and snag-free," says Sumner. "It’s a simple trick that stops it emerging next year looking flat and sad."
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