“Christmas is a piece of one’s home that one carries in one’s heart.” –Freya Stark
Now that the holiday season has officially commenced, we once again find ourselves pulling out the seasonal decor, unwrapping precious ornaments, and unwinding twinkly lights. Depending on how much time you took (or didn’t take!) last January to carefully pack up everything and store it properly, there’s a chance the decorating process was a little more… stressful this year.
Let’s not make that mistake again! Today, we’re diving into everything you need to know to properly pack up your delicate decor and bright baubles and store them without any worry for the next ten-plus months.
Use Original Packaging Whenever Possible
Wait, don’t throw that box out! We know it’s tempting, but in this one situation, we’re actually going to tell you to keep that extra box around…just in case. Now, hear us out.
While we inherently hate the concept of clutter, this is one situation where we recommend keeping the boxes and packaging that different decorations originally came in. For some of these oddly-shaped holiday villages and extremely fragile glass ornaments, their original casing is going to be the very safest thing to keep them in when they’re not out on full display.
Other items that would be best stored in their original packaging? Fake Christmas trees. These artificial conifers are almost always bulky — and oddly shaped to boot! Their branches seem to jut out every which way, and depending on how tall they are, they come in multiple pieces and sections.
That being said, their original box is going to be your best bet for safely storing them in the off-season. A close second is something like a Christmas tree duffel bag — but that’s going to cost you a pretty penny.
Keep Delicate Items and Paper Products Safe with the Right Storage Solution
Alright, so what happens if you “accidentally” throw away that original packaging? Don’t worry — it happens to the best of us. But now you have two options.
Option one is you can shell out the money to get organizers, bins, and bags. Be sure to also grab packaging supplies like tissue paper or bubble wrap to carefully secure anything you wouldn’t want rattling around in the bin. Easily tearable things like leftover wrapping paper and gift bags also can be stored in gift wrap storage bins, too!
Your second option is to get creative. Find odd-shaped boxes, and leftover wrapping supplies, and get to packing! Use softer Christmas decor like holiday blankets and pillows to cushion more delicate knick knacks. Wrap glass ornaments up carefully in your stockings, in recycled eff cartons, or use red Solo cups to keep things neatly separated. Repurpose garment bags to safely store garland and wreaths.
Treat it like a game of Tetris and have fun! (Maybe sip some leftover eggnog while you’re working?)
Invest in Weather-Resistant Tubs and Totes
Depending on where you plan to store these seasonal items, you may want to invest in something a little heavier-duty than a cardboard moving box. If your things are headed up to an attic, out to a garage or shed, or down to a basement, there’s a very high chance that they will be affected by high and low temperatures over the next several months — and more dangerously, moisture and humidity.
Instead, opt for plastic, water-resistant totes and moving tubs. These will not only help to keep moisture from getting into your things and spurring mold and mildew growth but will also keep other pests at bay. You don’t want to store things just to unpack moldy or chewed-through garland come next Christmas! Trust us on this one.
Morningstar Storage Pro Tip: Be sure to clearly label your bins (especially if they aren’t clear and easy to see through!) so you can quickly find whatever it is you’re looking for. Group like items with one another, for easy access.
Avoid Frustration Next Holiday Season with Cord Reels
Alright, be honest. How long did it take you to untangle those icicle and holiday string lights this year? Did you maybe happen to accidentally pop a bulb or two in the process?
You’re definitely not the only one who’s been in this sort of predicament! Take it from us — investing in an extension cord reel will really change the game. Wind each strand up carefully, and then secure them in a bag for easy access next November.
Here’s a Scrooge-like hack for those who like to save their pennies: opt for a piece of cardboard instead of those fancy cord reels to wrap lights around and keep untangled while in storage.
Preserve Precious Holiday Keepsakes with Temperature Controlled Self Storage Solutions
We all would love to have endless storage possibilities in our homes, right? But the fact of the matter is that’s just not possible. And since our holiday decorations tend to spend about 90% of the time waiting in storage as opposed to being used, it can be frustrating to lose out on so much usable space in our homes for the majority of the year!
That’s where self-storage comes into play. These conveniently located facilities help to keep your precious holiday decorations both out of the way and out of the elements for those ten or eleven months they’re not in use. Plus, many self-storage units are temperature-controlled, which means your items will be much safer from mold, mildew, and pests in this environment than in a damp basement or dusty attic!
Morningstar Storage is proud to provide a variety of storage solutions of different shapes and sizes that can seamlessly fit your needs. Whether you’re looking to temporarily store your holiday items or need a longer-term solution, we are here to help. Find the nearest Morningstar Storage facility to you and see how this added storage space might just be the best gift you can give yourself in the new year!
