Oh, Christmas tree

Those who use them know: artificial trees are the bulkiest of all decorations to store. Bag, bin or box, you’ll want to disassemble your tree and bend the branches back gently for more compact storage. A self-storage unit can be the perfect environment for your tree, since the cool, dry environment and airflow can help protect your tree from mold and mildew that can result from moisture. Consider adding desiccant packs for added protection and choose an all-weather storage material instead of cardboard, if possible

Don’t get your lights in a tangle

You only need one tangled mess of lights to know you don’t want to deal with it again. So here’s the plan: First, plug in to check and replace any faulty bulbs (thank yourself next year!) Start with a light reel or a simple piece of rectangular cardboard to wrap the lights around. Avoid tight loops, which can damage the wires. Consider twist ties or Velcro straps to keep lights securely wrapped, and don’t forget to label each strand before placing in containers in your self storage unit—most lights look the same when they’re not lit up!

About those inflatables…

 

We know, they’re so much fun. But after they leave your yard, those big blow-up holiday friends need to go somewhere. A self-storage unit is a great way to keep those big investments safe and out of the way until next year while ensuring they stay dry, ventilated and away from extreme temps. Make sure inflatables are clean, dry and rolled up inside a storage bag according to manufacturer’s recommendations. Another tip: place all small parts, blowers, manuals, etc. in a bag or container and keep them with the original inflatable for easy retrieval next year. 

Be a smart recycler. 

 

Fragile ornaments can be irreplaceable, so you’ll want to take extra care to pack them safely after the holiday season. If you have the original boxes, great! But if not, pack each one wrapped separately. Some common items that make great packing materials for ornaments: egg cartons, apple cartons, fast food drink carriers, and shredded paper are affordable (often free if you ask at local stores!) or you can purchase boxes with pre-made cardboard dividers just for ornaments. And remember: stack them low so they don’t topple, and nothing heavy on top. 

 

Keep candles in a temp controlled environment

 

Here’s a benefit of temperature controlled self storage units that you might not think of often: protecting your candles. Holiday candles can be extra ornate, and that may mean you want to display them instead of burning. To keep them pristine from one year to the next, keep them in cool temps. When storing molded, tapered or pillar candles, be sure to wrap them in cellophane or wax paper to prevent sticking and color transfer. 

 

 

Keep gift wrap wrinkle-free. 

Are you a “stock up at half price” kind of shopper? If so, you’ll need to store those post-holiday deals, along with any partial rolls you have, without bending or wrinkling. Remember that clothing rack we mentioned? Put your rolls into a large garment bag on a hanger and zip it up. Your paper will be good as new when you need to wrap next year.