It’s often called the most wonderful time of the year, but let’s be honest, it can also be the most cluttered time of the year. Between the sparkling decorations, the influx of guests, and the mountain of gifts, your usually tidy home can quickly feel a little squeezed.
Whether you are preparing your home for the festivities or looking for a way to reclaim your space once the relatives have gone home, a little organisation goes a long way. In this post, we’re sharing our top seasonal storage tips to help you survive the Christmas chaos and start the New Year with a clean slate.
The Pre-Christmas Clear Out
Before the first bauble even touches the tree, many of us feel the urge to make space. It turns out, we aren’t alone in this. Research has shown that 33% of Brits conduct a pre-Christmas purge specifically to create space for new gifts.
If you are hosting family this year, the pressure is doubly on. Spare rooms that have become “dumping grounds” for laundry or exercise bikes suddenly need to be guest-ready.
Quick Tip: Don’t just shove everything into the loft! If you are clearing out toys, clothes, or furniture to make room for the festivities, consider if you actually need them. If they are staying, a small self-storage unit can act as a temporary “overflow car park” for your stuff while your guests take over the spare room.
Smart Christmas Storage: Packing Away the Magic
Once the turkey has been eaten and the New Year celebrations have faded, it’s time for the “Great Take-Down.” According to YouGov, while many of us stick to tradition, 21% of Brits leave their decorations up until January 6th or later. Whenever you decide to pull the plug on the fairy lights, doing it properly will save you a headache next December.
Here are our favourite tips for packing away Christmas:
1. Tame the Tangle of Lights
There is nothing more frustrating than spending hours untangling lights.
The Hack: Grab a piece of leftover cardboard (a flap from a gift box works perfectly). Cut a small notch at one end to hold the plug, then wrap the lights neatly around the cardboard.
The Result: Tangle-free lights that are easy to stack.
2. Bauble Brilliance
Delicate glass ornaments often don’t survive the year in a flimsy plastic bag.
The Hack: Save your egg cartons! They are the perfect size for standard baubles and provide excellent cushioning. for larger ornaments, plastic party cups glued to a sheet of cardboard inside a plastic bin can create individual “cells” to stop them knocking together.
3. Tree Storage that Lasts
If you are part of the 76% of households that use an artificial tree, you know that getting it back into its original cardboard box is like trying to fold a fitted sheet, nearly impossible.
The Solution: Invest in a canvas tree storage bag. They are more durable than cardboard, moisture-resistant, and often have handles. If you must use a box, tape it heavily to prevent pests from nesting inside.
4. Wraps and Ribbons
Did you know that an ITV article found that 114,000 tonnes of plastic packaging is thrown away in the UK over the holiday season? Try to save and reuse gift bags and ribbons where possible.
The Hack: clear, under-bed storage boxes are perfect for wrapping paper rolls. They keep the paper from getting crushed and slide out of sight for the other 11 months of the year.
Post-Christmas Organising: New Year, New Space
January is the perfect time for a reset. If you’ve been lucky enough to receive plenty of new items, you might find your cupboards bursting.
This is the “one-in, one-out” rule’s time to shine. However, be mindful of where your old items go. Ribbex estimated that 1 in 10 unwanted Christmas gifts ends up in landfill. Instead of throwing things away, donate them to charity shops or list them on local selling pages.
If you simply can’t part with items, perhaps you’re keeping baby clothes for the future or storing seasonal sports gear? This is where external storage becomes your best friend.
How Blue Bear Can Help
At Blue Bear Self Storage, we understand that life requires space, especially around the holidays. Whether you need to hide the Christmas presents from prying eyes in December, or you need a dry, secure place to store the decorations in January, we are here to help.
Our container storage units are modified with Grafotherm anti-condensation coating and ventilation, ensuring your delicate decorations, artificial trees, and family heirlooms are protected from damp and damage until you need them again. Plus, with our drive-up access, you won’t have to lug heavy boxes of decorations down long corridors!
We’re a friendly, UK-operated self storage company with facilities across multiple regions, so your home base is never too far away. Our locations include:
- Buckingham – Home Farm, Stratford Road (Buckinghamshire)
- Bury St Edmunds – (Suffolk)
- Barton Road (East)
- Dettingen Way (West)
- Cheltenham – Hatherley Way (Gloucestershire)
- Corby – Oakley Hay Industrial Estate (Northamptonshire)
- Huntingdon – Clifton Road (Cambridgeshire)
- Petersfield – South Harting (Hampshire)
- St Ives – Lakes Business Park, Fanstanton (Cambridgeshire)
Don’t let the clutter get in the way this Christmas or new year holiday. Celebrate the new year in style, clutter and hopefully Christmas decoration free.
Christmas Storage FAQs
Q: Can I store scented candles in a storage unit?
A: Yes, but be careful. Extreme heat can cause wax to melt or warp. At Blue Bear, our units are ventilated and treated to regulate temperature extremes, but it is best to wrap candles in cellophane and store them in a cool, dark box, avoiding direct contact with other items just in case.
Q: What is the best way to store an artificial Christmas tree?
A: Avoid the original cardboard box if it’s torn or weak. A heavy-duty polyester tree bag is best. If you have a white or “flocked” tree, wrap the sections in old bedsheets before bagging them to prevent yellowing over time.
Q: How do I stop my wreath from getting crushed in storage?
A: Wreaths are awkward shapes! The best method is to use a hard-shell hat box or a dedicated wreath storage container. Alternatively, you can hang the wreath on a hook inside your storage unit (if wall space allows) or place it on top of your other boxes so nothing squashes it.
Q: Is it safe to store electronics (like Christmas animatronics) in a container?
A: Generally, yes. However, always remove the batteries before storing any electronic decorations. Leaking batteries can ruin the device and damage surrounding items.