Guide to Storing Your Holiday Decorations Like a Pro

In the United States, many of us express our love for the holidays through ornate and colorful holiday decorations. From brightly lit Christmas trees and scary skeletons to pastel eggs, fun flags, and much more. No matter the holiday, these festive ornaments and trimmings make them more memorable and fun!

Once the holidays have ended, though, there’s a new challenge: where to store all of your decorations? How can you keep them out of sight but in good shape so they can delight you and your neighbors again next year?

If you’re asking yourself these questions, don’t worry. In this article, we’ll explore the best practices for storing your holiday decorations both in and outside of your home. It’s a grab-bag of tips and hacks to help you store your holiday decor like a pro, brought to you by the storage experts at NSA Storage.

Why Proper Holiday Decoration Storage is Important

There’s no denying that, for many of us, holiday decorations are a big investment. Many homeowners spend hundreds and even thousands of dollars to make their home look amazing for the holidays. This extra cost makes storing your decorations safely even more important.

Proper storage keeps lights, wreaths, skeletons, flags, and all other decor looking their best for years. The right storage practices prevent items from breaking or being damaged. It also prevents mold, mildew, and fading, which is especially important for fragile items or family heirlooms.

Lastly, proper storage can make it much easier to find what you need when next year’s festivities roll around. It greatly reduces the effort it takes to decorate again and reduces your stress during the holiday season. In short, proper decor storage keeps holiday decorating what it should be: a fun, joyful time for all!

Choosing the Right Storage Containers for Holiday Decorations

Selecting the right storage containers is the key to holiday decoration storage. Our recommendation: clear plastic bins. They’re perfect for keeping dust and moisture from forming on your holiday baubles, and you can easily identify what’s inside when you need to. If you use clear plastic bins, be sure to follow these helpful hacks:

Climate Controlled Self Storage Prevents Mold and Mildew on Holiday Decorations

Many holiday decorations are prone to mold and mildew, especially those that are outdoors during damp seasons like Halloween and Easter. For these and others (Christmas wreaths, flags, fabric decor, etc.) a climate-controlled self storage unit is a good choice.

These specialized storage units maintain a stable temperature and humidity throughout the year, no matter the weather outside. This prevents moisture buildup that can cause mold and mildew to form. It also keeps fragile bits and baubles from cracking, fading, and chipping. The added protection helps extend the lifespan of more delicate decorations by keeping them in dry, moisture-free conditions.

Tips for Storing Smaller Decorations Correctly and Safely

• Use sturdy containers. Avoid using cardboard boxes as they can easily break down or be damaged by moisture. As mentioned earlier, clear plastic bins are a great alternative.
• Wrap fragile items. Protect delicate ornaments and decorations with bubble wrap or tissue paper.
• Avoid storing decorations in your attic or basement. Both are prone to extreme temperature changes, which can damage decorations. Basements are too damp and attics too hot for proper decor storage.
• Use vacuum-sealed bags. For holiday linens or soft decor, vacuum-sealed bags can add a layer of protection against pests and moisture.
• Use a label maker or indelible-ink highlighter to label everything. This can make it much easier to find specific decorations next year. It will also help you organize your decorations by holiday or theme.

Special Considerations for Outdoor Holiday Decor

Outdoor decorations are typically larger and more intricate, which can leave them prone to weather damage. When storing outdoor holiday decor, be sure to:

• Clean each item thoroughly before storage. Bird droppings, dirt, mud, and other debris can leave stains or cause damage if not removed.
• Remove batteries from items like light-up displays to prevent corrosion and deterioration of your holiday items.
• Store decorations with metal frames and parts in a cool, dry place to avoid rust and corrosion. Climate-controlled storage can help with this!
• Let outdoor decorations dry completely before storing them. This is especially important if it’s been raining or snowing during the holidays. When possible, leave damp items in the sun to dry completely.

Storing Lights and Wreaths

Holiday lights are notorious for tangling, even when stored by the most fastidious homeowners. Also, holiday wreaths can easily lose their shape if not stored properly, as can many other decorations. Use the tips below to keep them in pristine shape:

• Wrap lights around cardboard or light reels to prevent tangles. (You can also wrap them around thick cardboard tubes or PVC pipes.)
• Store wreaths in large plastic bags to keep them clean. If you don’t mind the extra expense, specialized plastic wreath storage containers are also a great choice.
• Climate controlled storage is a great choice if you have a lot of lights. It can extend their usable life by several years and keep your holiday decoration budget from exploding.

Final Thoughts on Storing Your Holiday Decorations Like a Pro

We hope these storage tips and hacks have given you a plan for storing your holiday decorations this year! With the right storage strategies, your seasonal décor will last for many more years of joy and delight!

Investing in sturdy containers, climate-controlled storage, and taking the time to organize your items will save you time, money, and stress. In other words, it will make your holidays brighter and merrier!

If you’re running out of storage space at home or just want to free up some room, rent a storage unit near you with NSA Storage. We have convenient locations across the US that provide clean, safe, and secure storage solutions. When you’re ready, you can easily reserve your storage unit online with NSA Storage! Until then, we wish you and yours the happiest of holidays!