Pack Up Your Holiday Cheer: Safely Storing Decorations in Self Storage

Introduction

The holidays often involve decorations that get used for a couple months out of the year and then packed away. Many people find themselves with an excess of holiday decorations and limited storage space in their homes.

Self storage units have become a popular solution for safely storing holiday decorations. Renting a self storage unit provides a clean, secure space outside of the home to store holiday decorations. Nearly 1 in 10 US households rent a self storage unit, with the average rental period of a unit being around 21 months. The extra space allows people to keep their decorations protected without cluttering their living spaces.

Storing holiday decorations requires some preparation and organization to avoid damage. With the right storage methods, self storage units can be ideal for protecting delicate decorations during the months they won't be displayed. This guide covers tips for safely packing and storing holiday decorations to retrieve next season.

Assess Your Storage Needs

The first step is determining how many decorations you need to store and the approximate size of the storage unit required. Take an inventory of all your holiday décor and estimate the total volume. Keep in mind many decorations like wreaths, garlands, and tabletop items can be stacked efficiently. Invest in stackable plastic bins designed for holiday decoration storage. These come in small, medium, and large sizes to accommodate ornaments, lights, candle holders, and general decor. Stackable bins allow you to utilize vertical space in your storage unit. They also protect delicate items from damage. Measure the amount of space your décor takes up when packed into storage containers. This will give you a good idea of the storage unit size needed. Allow some extra buffer room as well. Aim for a 5x5, 5x10, 10x10 or 10x15 unit depending on your needs. Taking measurements ahead of time ensures you rent the right storage space.

Prepare Decorations for Storage

Properly preparing your holiday decorations before storing them can help prevent damage and preserve them for seasons to come. Clean and pack decorations to prevent damage. Wipe down surfaces and use tissue paper or bubble wrap to pad fragile items.

For ornaments, gently clean them and wrap each one in acid-free tissue paper before packing in storage containers. Acid-free tissue is essential for delicate glass and porcelain ornaments, as it helps prevent deterioration over time. Seal boxes with tape and label them clearly.

For artificial Christmas trees, disassemble it according to the manufacturer's instructions. Carefully detach each section and fold branches upward to conserve space. Cover the ends of branches with plastic bags to prevent scratches. Place all parts in a tree storage bag or box.

When storing Christmas lights, tightly wind strands around cardboard or plastic spools designed for this purpose. Loosely wrapping lights can lead to tangled messes. Secure ends with twist ties or rubber bands before packing lights in plastic bins or bags. Check light strings for functionality before packing them away. Replace any burnt out bulbs so lights are ready to go next season.

Properly cleaning, wrapping, and packing holiday decorations takes time upfront, but saves headaches when taking them out the following year. With some careful preparation, treasured decorations can be enjoyed for many seasons to come.

Load the Unit Efficiently

When loading your holiday decorations into your storage unit, it's important to maximize space efficiently. Here are some tips:

Maximize space by stacking boxes and bins. Try to stack them floor to ceiling, but leave some space for air circulation. Stacking them lets you fit more into your unit.
Clearly label each box with a description of contents and the date. This makes it easy to find specific items when you need to access your unit. Write the labels in big, bold letters that are easy to read.
Place boxes you won't need to access often at the back of the unit. Prioritize the items you retrieve most often, like Christmas trees and lights, by placing them near the door for easy access.
Pack the edges of your unit tightly so items don't shift around. Use furniture blankets or bubble wrap to pad any gaps. Secure tall or unstable items with ratchet straps to keep them from tipping over. Try to position your largest items, like artificial trees, along the bottom and sides of your unit. Then stack smaller boxes and bins on top and around them.
Don't overload your unit to the point you can't walk inside. Leave yourself room to move around.

Following professional loading techniques helps you safely and efficiently use all the available space in your storage unit. With some strategic loading, you can comfortably fit all your holiday decorations.

Protect Decorations from Pests

Pests like moths, silverfish, and rodents can damage your treasured holiday decorations while in storage. Take a few key steps to keep them safe:

Inspect boxes and decorations thoroughly before packing up.
Look for any signs of insects, eggs, or droppings. Discard or treat any infested items.
Use cedar blocks, chips, or sachets in boxes and storage containers. The strong aroma naturally repels moths and other insects. Place cedar pieces throughout boxes.
Avoid cardboard boxes, which can harbor pests. Instead use plastic totes with tight lids. Clear totes also let you easily see inside.
Keep storage areas clean and free of dust, dirt, and crumbs. Sweep out the unit before loading up. Vacuum sealed containers before storing to remove any food particles.
Place sticky traps in corners of the storage unit. Check them periodically for signs of pests. Replace traps every 2-3 months.
Sprinkle a light layer of diatomaceous earth on unit floors. The powdery mineral shreds the exoskeletons of insects. Wear a mask when applying.
Inspect decorations within the first month of storage, then every 2-3 months. Look for any pest damage promptly.
Avoid cardboard, paper, or natural fiber packaging that can attract pests. Use plastic, metal, or glass materials instead.

Following these tips will help keep your holiday decorations free of insects, rodents, and their damage while stored away. You'll protect precious ornaments, lights, garlands, and other decor to use for seasons to come.

Monitor Your Unit

Periodically checking on your holiday decorations while they are in storage is an important part of keeping them safe and undamaged. Take some time every couple of months to inspect your storage unit and make sure there are no issues developing.

Check for water damage or leaks. Even climate-controlled units can sometimes experience leaks or puddles from rain/melting snow coming in through the door. Look for signs of moisture or mold/mildew, and move any wet boxes or items to dry them out. Alert the storage facility to any leaks right away. Look for signs of pests. Rodents, insects, or spiders may find their way into storage units. Keep an eye out for droppings, chewed boxes, spiderwebs, etc. Set sticky traps or bait stations if you spot any pests. Inspect for maintenance issues. Make sure lighting is working, the door rolls up and down smoothly, vents aren't blocked, and there is no debris buildup or other issues. Again, notify the storage staff of any problems.

By periodically monitoring your storage unit every couple of months, you can catch any problems early and prevent damage to your treasured holiday items. A quick visual inspection and test of the unit’s systems will help keep your decorations safe.

Retrieve Items Easily

When it comes time to get your holiday decorations out of storage, you'll want the process to be as quick and painless as possible. Proper labeling and inventory management are key to retrieving your items easily.

Label boxes clearly - Use a permanent marker to label every box with a short description of contents and the year if you pack up decorations from multiple holidays. Write the label on the top and at least one side so you can identify stacks of boxes in your unit.
Keep an inventory list - Maintain a list of all boxes and bin contents. Note which unit and shelf they are stored on. Update this list each year as you add or remove items.
Group boxes logically - Store boxes containing similar items together in your unit. Place the most-needed items near the door for easy access.
Load systematically - Stack boxes neatly and keep pathways clear in your unit. This prevents items from getting buried or damaged.
Use pictures - Take photos of your packed unit each year for easy reference. Pictures jog your memory about what you stored and where everything is located.
Give yourself time - Schedule ample time for retrieving decorations to prevent a rushed or chaotic experience. You may need to make more than one trip to get all your boxes home.

With some advanced preparation, you'll breeze through getting your beloved holiday items out of storage and be ready to deck your halls once again. Proper labeling and an orderly storage method make retrieving decorations a breeze.

Save Money on Storage

Taking advantage of storage facility deals and discounts can help you save money when storing your holiday decorations. Many storage facilities offer reduced rates during less busy seasons. For example, you can often find discounts on winter storage since fewer people tend to access their units during cold weather months. Ask about any current promotions for first-time renters or multi-month discounts. Some facilities provide one month free if you pre-pay for 6 or more months upfront. You may also get a discounted rate if you reserve your unit early before the busy holiday storage season starts. When researching facilities, compare the standard rates across several options near you. Finding the right balance can maximize savings. With some advanced planning and research, you can keep your precious holiday decorations stored safely and affordably. Taking advantage of deals and incentives allows you to enjoy the savings benefits of self storage.

Conclusion

Properly storing holiday decorations is important for protecting your cherished items and avoiding unnecessary costs from replacing damaged goods each year. As summarized in this article, start by taking inventory of all your decor and assessing your storage needs. Carefully pack and prep each decoration, using acid-free tissue and archival boxes. Rent a quality storage unit. Maximize your space by stacking lightweight boxes on top and heavier on bottom. Place traps and monitors to keep out insects and rodents. Periodically check your unit and retrieve items easily by labeling boxes. Finally, save money by bundling storage with other units or prepaying annually.

By following these tips for safe storage, you can confidently tuck away your holiday decorations each year. When next season arrives, you'll be delighted to unpack cherished ornaments, lights, and other treasures in perfect condition, ready to display and enjoy without replacement costs. Proper storage helps preserve these special decorations for many holidays to come, so you can carry on beloved traditions with your family.