The holiday season has come and gone, leaving your home with fond memories and a daunting new task at hand: putting away all those delightful Christmas decorations.
Avoid the broken baubles and disappearing trinkets; in this comprehensive guide, we’ll share expert tips to help you store your Christmas treasures with ease and care.
How To Get Into the Storing and Packing Mood
Getting started is often the most challenging part of the packing process. Here are some tips to help you get into the right mindset:
- Play some festive music while you pack so the holiday spirit lives on
- Involve your family or friends. Packing can be an entertaining and nostalgic activity when shared
- Break the packing process into smaller tasks and set feasible goals for each session
- Plan a small reward for when the work is done to keep yourself motivated (sweets are a fantastic motivator!)
- Use a checklist to stay on track and feel accomplished as you tick items off
Pre-Packing Preparation
Before you start packing away your holiday decorations, take a moment to plan your strategy. Having a clear plan in place can make the entire decluttering process more efficient and less stressful.
Clean and Sort
Before storing, it’s a good idea to give your decorations a quick once-over. Cleaning them will ensure they’re in good shape for next year, and sorting them by type will make unpacking a breeze.
Use Quality Storage Containers
Invest in sturdy, reliable storage containers to protect your decorations from dust, moisture and pests. This step is crucial to ensure the longevity of your cherished items.
From sturdy shelves and pegboards to clear plastic bins, proper storage can make a big difference in keeping your Christmas decorations organised and safe.
Sustainability Tips for Eco-Friendly Storage
If you’re environmentally conscious, there are some sustainable ways you can store your Christmas decorations. Consider using reusable storage materials or upcycling old items for decoration storage. This reduces waste and adds a creative touch to your storage solutions.
Eco-Friendly Decoration Ideas:
- DIY foliage wreath
- Orange peel decorations
- Leaf decorations
- Christmas sacks/stockings made from hessian sacks
- Origami star decorations
Try a Rotation
In some cases, you might find yourself accumulating many different types of decorations over the years, especially if the little one’s school projects are adding to your “wealth”.
As you pack away your Christmas decorations, use this opportunity to rotate items you haven’t used in a while. Keep your holiday décor fresh and exciting each year, and rotate what you have, instead of buying more and finding your home space rapidly running out!
What To Keep in Mind When Storing Christmas Decorations
Safeguard Your Delicate Items
Fragile ornaments deserve extra care. Wrap them individually in tissue paper or bubble wrap and place them in separate storage containers.
Store Those Artificial Trees Properly
If you have an artificial Christmas tree, disassemble it carefully and place it in a tree storage bag or a large, sturdy box. This method will preserve its shape and simplify your assembly plans for next year.
Prevent Tangled Lights
Tangled Christmas lights can be a real headache — even worse than the morning after all that eggnog! Prevent this problem by winding them around a piece of cardboard before you pack them away.
How To Handle Wreaths and Garlands
Wreaths and garlands can be tricky little creatures to store. Use small wreath-sized storage bags or small cardboard boxes to maintain their shape while wrapping garlands around a piece of cardboard before placing them in a container.
Care for Inflatables
For inflatable decorations, clean and deflate them properly before storing them. Fold them neatly and place them in a storage bag or box to extend their lifespan. Leaving them exposed in the garage or attic makes them vulnerable to pests and the elements.
Separate Tree Decorations
If you have small ornaments and tree decorations, think about storing them in separate containers from all the rest. This will make decorating your tree a breeze next year.
Use Photo Memories for Easy Setup
Before packing everything away, take photos of your decorated spaces. This will help you remember where everything went and simplify the setup next year! Less guess work equals less stress.
Draw Up an Inventory
Create an inventory of all your Christmas decorations. This list will help you keep track of what you have and make it easier to locate specific items in the future.
What To Do After You’re Finished Storing Christmas Decorations
Pest Control Measures
Think about adding pest control measures in your home’s storage space in areas prone to pests. Cedar blocks or mothballs can deter unwanted guests from your decorations. No more holes is the goal!
Seasonal Maintenance
To ensure your decorations are in good condition for the following year, perform seasonal maintenance. Inspect them during the holiday off-season, checking for any needed repairs or replacements.
Safety Considerations During Storage
Safety is paramount when dealing with holiday decorations. Handle lights and potentially hazardous materials with care.
Valuable safety tips to keep you and your decorations safe:
- Before packing anything away, thoroughly inspect each decoration. Check for any damage, frayed wires, or broken components. Discard or repair damaged items.
- Get some proper storage containers for your decorations. Plastic bins with secure lids protect items from moisture, dust, and pests. Make sure they are clean and dry before use.
- Wrap fragile decorations like glass ornaments or delicate figurines in bubble wrap or tissue paper. Extra padding can prevent breakage.
- When storing string lights, wind them carefully and securely with twist ties or cord organisers. This prevents tangling and reduces the risk of damaged wires.
- Avoid storing decorations near heat sources like furnaces or space heaters. Extreme temperatures can damage delicate items or cause fire hazards.
- Check that decorations are stored in a fire-safe area. Avoid storing them near flammable materials, and check that your storage area (or facility) has working smoke alarms.
- If you need to reach high places to pack decorations, use a stable ladder and have someone hold it for extra safety.
- If you have an artificial Christmas tree, disassemble it carefully and store it in a tree bag or box. This protects the branches and makes reassembly easier.
- Store decorations out of reach of children and pets. Sharp or small items pose choking hazards.
- Wear gloves to protect your hands when handling decorations that may contain glass or have sharp edges.
Save Yourself With Self Storage Solutions
If your Christmas decoration collection has outgrown your available storage space, consider renting a self storage unit. It provides a secure environment, promising that your cherished holiday items will remain in sublime condition.
Understanding how to store your Christmas decorations properly can save you time, money, and the heartache of discovering damaged or missing items next year. With a little planning, quality storage solutions, and some care in packing, you can enjoy your holiday treasures for many Christmases to come.
Get in touch with Pink Hippo Self Storage today to store your holiday items and more!