Holiday decorations and seasonal items store best in clean, dry, labeled bins in a secure unit, with fragile or heat-sensitive pieces in a climate-controlled space and sturdy items in a regular one. Excess Storage in Giddings, TX offers both climate-controlled and non-climate-controlled units.
Holiday decor takes more room than most people expect. Artificial trees, wreaths, light strands, inflatables, ornaments, and tubs of decor can fill a garage, an attic, or a closet for ten months of the year. Moving them off site frees space for cars, tools, and everyday life, and it keeps decorations out of the way until the season returns.
Storage also protects what you own. Garages and attics in Central Texas can get very hot, and extreme heat is hard on candles, plastic ornaments, vinyl, and glued decor. A dedicated unit gives your decorations a safer, more organized home.
Choose a climate-controlled unit for anything that heat, cold, or humidity can damage. Candles and wax pieces can soften or melt, glass and ceramic ornaments can crack with temperature swings, and plastic decor can warp or turn brittle. Fabric, felt, and paper items, such as stockings, tree skirts, cards, and photos, can pick up musty smells in humid weather.
Heirloom ornaments, nativity sets, and keepsake decor deserve extra care, since they cannot be replaced. Electronics, such as animated figures and light controllers, also do better in a steadier environment. Ask the facility how its climate-controlled units are maintained and what to expect.
Not everything needs protection. Artificial trees, plastic outdoor decor, sturdy light-up figures, extension cords, and tubs of basic decor usually handle a standard unit well. Sorting items into delicate and rugged groups lets you pay for climate control only where it matters.
Keep batteries out of decorations, since they can leak, and avoid storing anything damp.
Wrap light strands around a piece of cardboard or a reel so they do not tangle, and store each strand in its own bag. Pack ornaments in dividers or in their original boxes, with tissue or bubble wrap between pieces. Take trees apart, and keep the pieces in a labeled tote or in a tree bag.
Use sturdy plastic bins with lids instead of cardboard, which can absorb moisture. Label every bin on the side with the room and the contents, and keep a simple inventory list on your phone so you can find things quickly.
A little planning makes next year easier. Put the bins you will need first near the door and stack the rest by season. Leave a narrow aisle so you can reach the back, and keep a few photos of how things were packed.
In January, clean and dry each item before it goes in, and replace any broken pieces. In November, retrieve your bins in one trip, and swap in your next set of seasonal items.
The facility lists several sizes. A 10 by 10 unit, available as climate-controlled or standard, fits the contents of a few rooms and works well for decor, boxes, and furniture. A 10 by 20 unit, available in both types, offers more room for larger holiday setups, inflatables, and seasonal gear, and a 10 by 15 climate-controlled unit and a 10 by 30 standard unit also exist, though they currently have waiting lists.
Choose the smallest unit that holds everything with room to move, and confirm sizes with the facility, since they are approximate.
A nearby facility keeps trips short when you are swapping decorations. The Giddings location offers climate-controlled units, tenant protection, and online bill pay, and you can rent online and pay your bill online anytime. You can learn more about its climate-controlled storage in Giddings.
A good plan comes down to clean, dry, well-labeled bins and the right unit for what you own. Protect the delicate pieces, store the sturdy ones, and keep things easy to reach.
If you are ready to clear your garage before the season, Excess Storage can help you find a unit that fits. Rent Storage Online to check availability and reserve your space.
