Luckily, there are a few tips and tricks you can follow when learning how to store Christmas lights that’ll keep your holiday cheer intact, says Heath Kinzer—the owner of Chri

Hook one end of a strand of lights onto one of the notches on the hanger. Wrap the lights around the hanger, continuing until you go from one side of the hanger to the other. Hook the other end of the strand of lights onto the opposite notch from where you began.

When your Christmas lights are no longer merry and bright, you are supposed to recycle them. If electronics sit in a landfill, metals can leech into the ground. Plastics also do not degrade. Technology Recyclers is an Indianapolis company that collects thousands of pounds of broken lights.