Storage Unit Tips to Keep Christmas Merry and Bright

Storage Unit Tips to Keep Christmas Merry and Bright

Picture the scene: it’s December, 2023. You can’t wait to put up your tree. The eggnog is ready, the music is cued up, and you’ve been to your storage unit to get all your boxes of décor.  You’re ready to be festive in short order. But the top third of your tree is missing. You rack your brain. Where could it be? It’s not with the other two thirds. You drive back to your storage unit and go through everything. Finally, you discover it, in a mislabeled box stuffed in the back corner. 

Now you’re back on track, but the ‘nog is warm and you’re annoyed. Like anything in your storage container, your Christmas decorations need to be stored in a way that’s clear and organized — and that protects them, too. Holiday decorations, especially ornaments, can have immense sentimental value that’s worth preserving. We’ve got some tips to help you put everything back so the next time you pull them out, you’re ready to get festive in as little time as possible. The less time spent looking for what you need, the more time you have to make memories with family.

Storing Your Tree

If you have an artificial tree, you’ll want to make sure you store all the parts together. It’s tempting to keep the original box, but Martha Stewart says not to bother — once it’s been up, your tree’s branches need more room for storage. 

Better Tree Storage Options:

• Bags
• Rolling duffels
• Tree storage boxes

The good news is that these options are usually fairly inexpensive, too. Experts are mixed on whether storing horizontally or vertically is better, although both have their merits. Horizontal is often easier, but vertical saves space and helps you get the most out of your storage unit. Trees stored vertically do best on their own stand. 

Before Storing Your Tree:

• Remove all ornaments and lights

• Vacuum or dust the branches

• Wipe branches with a soft cloth and mild dish soap solution

• Ensure the tree is completely dry

• Compress branches upward

• (Optional) Wrap branches in plastic wrap for moisture protection

When properly kept, artificial Christmas trees can last up to 10 years or more – saving you the cost of having to buy a new one sooner than expected. 

Storing Wreaths

If you have a wardrobe or clothes rack in your storage unit, make room for your wreaths. Attach them to a coat hanger and cover the entire thing with a plastic bag (or garment bag) and then hang them on the bar. Hatboxes are also a good way to store multiple wreaths if you don’t have a way to hang them.

Keeping Lights and Garland Neat

Lights often get tangled, which can make them your least favorite part of decorating. 

Light Storage Tips

• Wrap lights around cardboard sheets

• Check for burnt-out bulbs before storing

• Tape a small bag of spare bulbs to the cardboard for convenience

Beaded garland can quickly become a tangled mess — and ruin other ornaments — if you store everything together. Good Housekeeping suggests storing them in empty water bottles. You can see what’s inside and 500 ml bottles are the perfect size to hold two strings. 

Protecting Ornaments

You have a few options here, depending on how delicate your ornaments are. 

• Specialty ornament boxes (often padded with dividers)

• DIY storage using plastic drink cups lined with tissue paper

• Stack using cardboard layers between cup rows

If your storage unit is unheated and you’re concerned about temperature fluctuations, keep more delicate items (especially wood) in a more controlled environment. Climate controlled storage is an excellent choice for goods that are sensitive to fluctuations in temperature and humidity, as they are kept within designated ranges for both year-round. 

Label, Label, Label

Make sure everything from your tree bag to your ornament boxes is labeled clearly, and try to stash everything close together in your storage unit. There’s nothing worse than rooting through your valuables to try to find one missing box! There are many methods of organization you can try, from making a list of what each box contains to sticking Christmas gift tags on the boxes for easy ID at a glance.Taking just a few minutes to sort everything out before you put it away can make a world of difference when the holiday season rolls around next year.

Need Extra Holiday Storage?

Looking for a place to store your extra holiday decorations or other items? Find a Mini Mall Storage facility near you and keep your treasures safe, organized, and ready for next year’s festivities.