How to store Christmas presents
Parents, let’s face it, the 80s were three decades ago, and so were the easy ways of stashing those toys, gifts, and other Christmas presents our parents used when we were kids. And while addicted to electronics, today’s kids are smart; closets won’t cut it, attics are reachable, and garages are never safe.
Thankfully, a storage unit provides you a place to keep your Christmas gifts safe and sound—from kiddos trying to steal a sneak peek to those who may have a more nefarious motive to get to your presents. And, if it helps, there is no gift wrapping required.
Prepare your gifts for storage
Unless you’re going homemade, most of your items should be in their original packaging. Keep it that way. This packaging has been designed to protect and preserve the items in transit or storage. However, if you are going homemade, it may be good to pre-wrap or at least pre-package your gifts.
Essentially, make sure that the items are clean of any debris, dirt, or other contaminants are removed prior to storage.
This is also a good point to inventory all the gifts that are going into storage. If using a pen and paper, make sure you hide the list, and check it twice.
Find the best storage unit for your Christmas gifts
There are some key features to look for when storing Christmas gifts. Fortunately, if you already have a storage unit, chances are good you already have these features in your unit. However, if you’re renting a storage unit for a short term lease around Christmas, here are a few key features to look for:
- Security features are a must to protect valuable items. To protect your Christmas gifts for friends, family, or loved ones, find a storage facility with strong features such as video surveillance, onsite management, and even electronic gate access, which requires a keycode to enter the facility.
- Climate control is another must to protect your items, especially if you live in an area that experiences extreme seasonal cold. This weather can break plastics and break other electronics.
- For those who may be forgetful, or just want to wait until the last minute to help Santa get those gifts out, you’ll want to find a storage facility with 24 hour access. This feature allows you to get to your items whenever you need them, regardless of traditional business hours or Christmas Eve parties.
- Short term leasing may be key for many people storing Christmas presents. Fortunately, many storage facilities offer month-to-month leasing, so you can only pay the low price of self storage for the Christmas season—though you may find you like it through the new year.
Place your Christmas presents in a storage unit
Many folks think placing items in a storage unit is as simple as setting the boxes down in a room, but there are still many important things you can do to protect your items in storage. For instance, you can place a plastic sheet or wooden pallets down to keep your items from directly touching the floor, safe from pests or any condensation.
Another helpful tip is lining the walls with your items rather than stacking them in a large pile. Not only will this prevent any falls or crumpling of packaging, it will also allow you to quickly and easily access all items in storage.
The holiday season is supposed to be a time of fun, family, and friends—don’t let the stress of hiding presents get in the way. With the right storage features and proper steps, even storing your items can be a breeze.
