Our Kelowna self storage experts have a few handy tips for storing Christmas decorations that will save you time and frustration.
Is your fake Christmas tree still standing in the corner of your living room? Does your wreath still greet visitors at the door even though we're already in January? Our Kelowna self storage experts have a few simple suggestions to help you reclaim your home after the holidays.
Some people like to leave their Christmas decorations up for a while. You only get to do it once a year, so you might as well make the most of it, right? On the other hand, some homeowners are guilty of procrastinating a little longer than they prefer (we're not pointing fingers).
Whether you stow your holiday decorations in your attic, garage, or at your local Kelowna self storage centre, we hope these tips make the takedown process a smooth one.
Christmas Lights
It seems like every year when you go to put up your Christmas lights, you end up in a battle to unravel the tangle of wires and bulbs. And it's the same for every strand, no matter where you put them:
- On the tree
- Across your mantle
- Along your roof
- Around your windows
To control these unwieldy strings of light, a good option is to wind them around an old coffee can. You can also use a sturdy piece of cardboard. By cutting an X in the lid of the can (or a slit in the cardboard), you can anchor the plug and start winding.
Fake Christmas Trees
Fake Christmas trees often start out looking quite nice, but they can suffer abuse as they're unpacked, repacked and stored unprotected year after year. Eventually, they'll start to look less like a real tree and more like a Charlie Brown special.
To give them a little extra protection, try packing the individual pieces in concrete form tubes. Available at most hardware stores, these durable cylinders are available in a variety of diametres and they can be cut to length.
Ornaments
Christmas decorations come in all manner of shapes and sizes, so it's difficult to come up with a one-size-fits-all solution. Instead, our Kelowna self storage experts have a number of clever tricks for specific items:
- Egg cartons for small ornaments and tiny trinkets
- Apple trays (or other produce containers) for larger-size decorations
- Water bottles or paper towel rolls for beaded garlands
- Coat hangers for wreaths (covered in large plastic bag)
- Stockings (hosiery) to protect specialty candles
When you do manage to pack up your decorations, it's a good idea to store them all together in larger totes. Again, labeling each one will help you find what you'e looking for when you drop by your Kelowna storage centre to do it all again next December.
For tips on packing a self storage unit effectively, read our post: How to Pack the Storage Units Kelowna Residents Use Most.
Are you tired of walking into a cluttered home? Come and talk to the Kelowna self storage specialists at the Space Centre. Located on the north end of town, we have a wide array of convenient, affordable storage options.