Self Storage: How to Enjoy Packing Up the Christmas Decorations

Does the title of this blog trigger your interest? Are you eagerly awaiting the happy little secret to enjoying packing up those Christmas decorations? Sorry…I lied. There is nothing that makes this job enjoyable unless you can gather about 50 friends who love you and want to help. The chances of that happening are about the same as your Christmas mess becoming a Netflix episode of “Tidying Up With Marie Kondo.” 

Nobody enjoys this task. It’s tedious and lonely because no one wants to help. If you do coerce family members into helping, they suddenly remember a previous engagement or a contagious disease (Covid is perfect for this). Get used to it; it’s not going to change. Ask Alexa to play “the happiest songs for dismantling Christmas decor,” and get to it. 

Before you start packing your decorations into either the very expensive storage containers from Target or Wayfair or the leftover egg cartons and disposable coffee cups from your garbage, you need to think about where you’re going to store these items. If you’re anything like me, you have enough decorations to transform the entire neighborhood into a Christmas wonderland. You need a solution, and you need it before the Christmas ornaments find a new home in your garage and the cars are stuck out in the driveway all year. 

What you need is a self-storage unit, preferably a convenient, secure, climate-controlled storage unit. Here at Trusted Self Storage, these units are available in a variety of sizes that are suitable for large or small Christmas trees and all your other seasonal items. You can add pegboards to the walls for hanging your wreaths and garlands and shelving for plastic ornament boxes and Christmas linens. With climate-controlled storage, you won’t find a pool of hardened wax that used to be a candle or a moldy piece of fabric that was once the beautiful table cloth that grandma crocheted with her arthritic hands

Tips to Prepare Your Decorations for Their Temporary Home

Take Pictures of Your Decorations

Did you ever begin your Christmas decorating, suddenly realizing that you can’t remember which decorations you used on the mantel or which centerpiece you used on the dining room table? As you age, this will happen. Before you remove those decorations for storage, take pictures for future reference. Mobile devices make it so easy to take photos. Add a few selfies before you store them; memories of the bags under your eyes are precious.

 

Be Careful with the Christmas Ornaments

In many families, Christmas ornaments are irreplaceable treasures. They represent life events, travel, and tradition. Many were created with little hands out of construction paper, glue and glitter. Some are given as special gifts. Fortunately, you can find endless options in boxes and containers made specifically to protect fragile ornaments. They’re available in Wayfair, Home Depot, and Target, just to name a few. Remember to leave the hangers on the ornaments, so that  you don’t have to make a trip to the store in the middle of next year’s decorating.

 

Keep Your Christmas Tree Looking New

Even though artificial trees are quite durable, storing your tree in its original box is not the best idea. With each passing year, the box will deteriorate, making it prone to insect (and deranged squirrel) infestation, and the tree will not look as nice if it has to be jammed into the box and reshaped every year. There are several different tree storage container options that will protect your tree and keep it in great shape. Climate-controlled storage is perfect for keeping your tree in pristine condition. This is especially important if you have a frosted or flocked tree; they don’t do well in extreme temperatures. Actually, they make a mess at any temperature.

  

Maintain your Wreaths and Garlands

As with all your other Christmas paraphernalia, there are numerous options for wreath and garland storage. Look for sturdy containers that will preserve the shape of these items and protect any decorative bows and ornaments. They can also be hung from hooks on a pegboard in your storage unit. For extra protection, you can cover them with a lightweight dry cleaning bag.

 

Keep Your Christmas Lights Untangled

Clark Griswold should not be your “go to” example for Christmas light storage or design. Think “organization.”  The first thing you need to do is to dispose of any lights that are damaged or not working properly. Then, you need to avoid the tangled mess of previous years by wrapping your lights around storage reels. When you’re finished organizing the lights, place them in a large plastic storage bin along with the necessary extension cords. Don’t forget to take pictures as a guide to next year’s light design.

 

Keep Your Christmas Linens Crisp and New Looking 

Be sure that your Christmas table linens, bed linens, and towels are clean prior to storage.  Stains can oxidize over time and be impossible to remove, so don’t be lazy and store them with wine and gravy stains. Don’t wrap linens in tissue, newsprint, or cardboard as these materials can release gases that will turn your fabric yellow. Plastic can also damage the fabric, and hangars can cause creases that are hard to iron out. If you have the space, you can store these items on an extra shelf in your linen closet. A better option is a suitcase that you no longer use in your storage unit. Keep in mind that these items should be stored in a climate-controlled environment to maintain their beauty and prevent further damage.

 

Candles Require Special Care

Wrap candles in old socks or cellophane to prevent scratching and color transfer.  Do not use plastic wrap or wax paper as they can stick to your candles. After you finish wrapping, store them in a box or crate, even in your ornament storage boxes.Be sure that they are in a climate-controlled area in your home or storage unit.  Unless, of course, you want melted, misshapen globs of wax.

 

Organize 

It goes without saying that you should store your boxes strategically and with labels. Not only should each label show a detailed content list, but they should be numbered and stored in the order in which you want to open them. 

 

Storing your decorations the right way is tedious and time consuming; but, when next year rolls around, you’ll be happy to find everything organized and in perfect condition, just like Marie Kondo. Then, you can start the process over again. Happy Holidays!

 

The Secret to an Organized Storage Unit

The holidays are coming, and you’ll soon need some items that are probably in your storage unit. When your searching for Halloween costumes, Christmas and Thanksgiving decorations or cozy comforters for the guest room, the last thing you want to do is pull everything out of your storage unit and start unpacking boxes. This is not only a huge waste of time, but frustrating and inconvenient. A little bit of time and effort devoted to planning and organizing will alleviate a lot of inconvenience.

Before you start packing the unit, you need to find one. Look for a convenient, dependable, secure storage facility. Once you rent the right-size unit in the right location, you’re ready to store your belongings.

We’ve compiled a few tips to help you get started with packing and organization.

 

First, Pack…

  • List, Label, and Mark:  Before you start randomly throwing items into boxes, make a list and assign items to their appropriate box. Attach labels so that you know the contents of the boxes. It’s a good idea to jot down the replacement value of each item. If you ever have to file an insurance claim, you’ll be glad you spent the extra time. Take a minute to place a special mark on boxes that you may need to access frequently and be sure to number each box.
  • Identify Items that are Marked for Easy Access:  Items that you will use frequently, or even yearly, should be packed last, in the front of the unit. Give extra thought to items that you may need sooner rather than later.
    • Holiday decorations, costumes, or bake ware
    • Winter linens and comforters
    • Seasonal clothing
    • Camping or seasonal sports supplies
    • Children’s toys
    • Important documents
  • Fill Your Boxes:  Don’t leave boxes partially empty. Fill up the entire box, placing a few heavy items on the bottom and filling to capacity with lighter items.
  • Be Cautious with Large Appliances:  Store freezers and refrigerators with doors open and drain washing machines to avoid mold and mildew. 
  • Use Wardrobe Boxes:  If you have enough space, store your seasonal clothing in wardrobe boxes. Placing them on hangars will retain their shape and keep them in good condition. You can store shoes and boots in the bottom of the boxes.
  • Store Tools and Equipment with Care:  Completely drain fuel from these items, and rub them with oil to prevent rust and corrosion.

Then, Organize…

  • Plan an Organized Layout:  Create a general plan of how you’re going to organize furniture and boxes in your unit. Put some thought into how you’ll place these items. Ideally, furniture and large appliances should be against a wall opposite the boxes. Leave space in the middle of the unit for easy access. Boxes that you’ll need to access frequently should be stored last.
  • Cover the Floor:  Before storing your boxes, place pallets on the floor. This will prevent pests and insects from gathering under your boxes.
  • Place Small Boxes/Items on Shelves:  Shelves are a great option for smaller boxes and items that you may not be packing like lamps and small electrical appliances. If you place the shelves toward the front of your unit, you can easily grab things that you may need regularly.
  • Create a Master Content Inventory:  As mentioned in #1 “List, Label and Mark.” You need a Master List that shows the box number, the identity of each item in the box, and the replacement value. This sounds troublesome, but you’ll be so glad you have this list when you’re looking for a specific item or if you ever need to make an insurance claim. 
  • Map Your Unit:  Make a map of your stored boxes and items, place it on a clipboard, and hang it in a visible location in your unit. There’s no need to get too technical, a hand drawn sketch will work. This will make it easy to find the items that are “buried” in the back.

At first glance, these tasks seem like a lot of time and trouble, but the effort is definitely worth it. When the holidays arrive and you’re looking for those decorations, you’ll find your item with ease. 

 

 

Prepping for the Big Move

You already know that moving isn’t easy. It’s stressful, frustrating, and just plain exhausting. You can read all of the tips, tricks, and hacks that you can lay your hands on, but that won’t make it an event that you’re anticipating with enthusiasm.

To ease the pain, think about the big picture. Keep your eye on the prize, and visualize yourself relaxing in your gorgeous new home with everything in place. The movers are gone and life is back to normal. Don’t worry too much; it will be over soon.

Organize and Plan

A moving planner notebook with checklists is a must. You can find one on Amazon or in your local bookstore. You may even want to purchase a binder and make your own planner with lined paper and dividers. If you do decide to create your own planner, there are plenty of downloadable planning guides to help you. Whatever you do, do something! You need a place to organize your thoughts, make your lists, and guide your actions. Whether you create your own planner or buy one, be sure that there are pockets somewhere in it for receipts and random notes that you may need later.

Move

Yes, you will save money by asking your friends, family, and acquaintances to help. Professional movers are more costly, but they have the manpower and expertise to get the job done quickly and efficiently. They carry extra boxes and supplies and can help with last-minute packing. This can be a huge life saver!

Be sure to book the moving company for the first time slot of the day. Everyone will be fresh and alert, and there is less chance of a delay. If you have a large move, timing won’t be an issue because your movers will be with you all day (maybe two).

Declutter

Moving is the perfect time to purge your belongings. Do it ahead of time. Make three piles: “Keep,” “Donate,” and “Discard.” There are some articles that suggest adding a “Recycle,” pile. “Recycle” is up to you, but don’t make this too complicated. The idea is to make your move less work.

When decluttering, self-storage can be your secret weapon. If you rent a storage unit and gradually move things in prior to moving day, it will be easier to organize your belongings. Look around and think about what you don’t use on a regular basis. You can store seasonal holiday decorations, the table setting and linens that you only use at Christmas, and even some of your kids’ larger toys. This saves time on moving day, and you can retrieve these items when you need them or once you’ve settled into your new home. You may eventually find that you don’t even want some of these items, and you can donate or dispose of them when the moving chaos subsides.

In some cases, as a seller, you may have to be out of your home by a certain date. This means renting a hotel room or staying with family. If this situation does occur, you’ll need a convenient, secure place to store your belongings and give yourself some flexibility. Units are available in a variety of sizes, depending on the amount of furniture and other items that you need to store.

Pack

  • Supplies: Now it’s time to get those supplies together. If you’ve already decided to pack and store some items, you’ve probably begun to accumulate boxes, tape, tape dispensers, bubble wrap, wrapping paper, colored tape, markers, and various other packing supplies. You can find all of these things at your local storage facility, as well as many big box stores. Raiding the grocery store dumpsters and your friends garages is not always the best idea. Grocery store boxes may be harboring insects and spoiled food, and used boxes are sometimes in a weakened condition. Certain moving companies have a supply of used boxes that are still in great condition. If offered, you will definitely want to take advantage of that service.
  • Color Code: Be sure to color code, label, and number your boxes. Just stick a piece of colored tape on each door frame in your new home to coordinate with the tape on the boxes that belong in that room. Moving day will go far more quickly when the movers know where to stow your boxes. Do your best to create a detailed list of the contents on each box, and unpacking will be a breeze because you know what’s inside.
  • Photos: Keep that cell phone handy. Before you disconnect TV’s, computers, sound bars, speakers, and any other electronic devices, take a picture.Trying to guess how they were connected won’t work, and reading the directions (if you can find them) is tedious and frustrating. Try to remember to take pictures of the contents of your boxes. Yes, you are making lists of the contents on each box, but you may miss something. Having a picture to go along with the list can be more helpful than you think.
  • Pack the Same Room in the Same Box: Everything that goes into a box needs to come out eventually. Don’t pack your frying plans with your shoes. Unpacking items that all belong in the same room saves time and energy.
  • Kitchens and Bathrooms: Pack these rooms as early as you can. They take the most time and planning. If you have more than one bathroom pack all but one, and close the doors. Use only one bathroom for a few weeks.There should be no cooking for the last few days prior to the move. You can live on cereal and takeout; and, of course, use only disposable plates and utensils.
  • The Golden Rule: The heavier the item, the smaller the box. Save the larger boxes for things that are lighter and more cumbersome on their own. Your movers will thank you.
  • Decide on the Best Place to Keep Packed Boxes: Once the boxes are packed, you need to designate a specific place to keep them neatly stacked. Choose the garage, a spare bedroom, or whatever space works best for your family.

Moving will never be a dream but, with the right amount of preparation and planning, you can keep it from turning into a nightmare. The key is organization and staying ahead of the game. You’ve got this!!

 

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