The holiday season is an exciting time filled with home-cooked meals and festive decorations. However, those decorations require careful storage when the festivities end to keep them in optimal shape for next year. Before you begin packing up the decorations, review the following tips to stay organized and maximize space.

How to Safely Store Your Holiday Decorations

1. Use Clear Bags & Bins

When packing up holiday décor, using clear bags and bins can make it easier to identify each item when you need it again. Place exterior decorations, such as inflatables and lights, or indoor items, including stockings and garlands, in large clear totes. Then, put more fragile items in sturdy see-through bins. Make sure to label everything to help you remember where it is next year.

2. Protect Fragile Items

If you have any breakable items, such as holiday-themed dishes or antique ornaments, you must pack them carefully. While bubble-wrap is ideal, you can also use tissue paper, packing paper, and old linens to keep fragile items safe. After wrapping the individual items, layer them in the container with heavier decorations on the bottom to prevent any accidental breaks from shifting.

3. Secure Lights

Untangling lights will slow down the decorating process next winter. Fortunately, you can make unpacking a breeze by using zip ties to keep the lights in order. Simply gather the strings into a circle shape and secure them with zip ties every four inches.

4. Use Specialized Storage

There are also many custom storage options available for holiday decorations. For instance, storing an artificial tree will be easier if you use a tree bag with wheels. These are shaped to fit trees and offer enough room for the different tiers. Additionally, for circular-shaped ornaments, purchase storage bins with slots for each bulb to provide additional stability.

If you don’t have the space to house your holiday decorations, get a storage unit at Carolina Self Storage in Archdale, NC. For the last 30 years, this facility has provided various unit sizes in a convenient and clean location. To learn more about your storage options, visit them online or call (336) 434-4367.