How do you store your holiday decorations?

[chrissyk]

We live in a house with NO storage space. I'm fine with that (I actually like it...less space for clutter to accumulate!), but I am stuck trying to figure out how to store holiday decorations. These are pretty much the only thing that we need to find a place to "store". We do not have a useable attic. Our garage is smaller than a 1-car due to the laundry room, and is not an option for storage. I don't want to waste precious closet space on holiday decor. Thanks for any ideas!

 

[hugsquared]

LOL, we JUST moved into a new condo that is so, so, so cute but to say it is storage challenged is an understatement. We have an artificial tree and 4 huge Rubbermaid containers full of decorations/ornaments. Not to mention a huge amount of other stuff we need(but not right now). I'm headed off this morning to get a 5 x 5 storage building right around the corner from where we are. Its gonna be about $40/month but otherwise we have no place to put it.
Good luck.

 

[Patty3]

We use Rubbermaid boxes and stack them.

 

[saucymb]

Though you said your garage is small, have you thought about building some shelves high around the walls of the garage?

 

[chrissyk]

Though you said your garage is small, have you thought about building some shelves high around the walls of the garage?

Unfortunately, the existing shelving has to come down if we even have a prayer of ever actually fitting a car in this garage Otherwise, that is what we would use for sure!

I wonder if we are better off getting rid of the tree and the outdoor decor and just getting a "real" tree every year. DH thinks so, but I do so hate how those things shed needles.

For outdoor decor, do those inflatable lawn things take up very little storage space? They would seem to compress down to nothing when not in use. I wonder if those would be a better option for us than all these lights and things.

 

[hercamore]

How about building a outdoor storage shed (from home improvement store) My neighbors have two, and I think they came in a package/kit type of deal to assemble yourself.


herc.

 

[vacanut]

We have a room in our basement for storage. I'm wondering if you can fit things in a storage bin and slid under your bed? Perhaps you can make room this way for everything??

 

[chrissyk]

We have a room in our basement for storage. I'm wondering if you can fit things in a storage bin and slid under your bed? Perhaps you can make room this way for everything??

Oops, forgot to mention...no basement here! Under the bed is where we keep the out-of-season clothes. I'm stumped here, and I'm starting to think that this stuff needs to go.

 

[Pooh67_68]

I have all Christmas items in plastic storage bins. We too have no attic or basement but we do have a crawl space (not sure if that is the right word) in our ceiling and everthing goes up there.

 

[froglady]

I have a garage, but it's too damp to store ornaments, paper, etc. YThe attic is too hot, and the A/C handler takes up any room.

I was able to get the wooden shelves from a shoe store that went out of business. I have two sets in a back room, which fill the whole wall (there's a door between them) I purchased plastic boxes which fit on the shelves, and fill them completely. I store my ornaments, old photos, momentos, books , etc on these shelves.

I do keep the outdoor lights in the garage, in a big rubbermaid bin, and I also hang a wreath bag from the rafters. I buy a new tree every year; it's shipped WITH THE STAND ATTACHED. Expensive, but a real time and effort saver, and one less thing to store.

I'm also considering getting rid of the wreaths and just buying fresh every year.

 

[golfgal]

Oops, forgot to mention...no basement here! Under the bed is where we keep the out-of-season clothes. I'm stumped here, and I'm starting to think that this stuff needs to go.

There goes my idea-under the beds. I guess in your situation I would rent a storage garage. You can get smaller ones for $20/month or so and put all that stuff in there. Is there any place to build a closet or add lots of shelves to an existing closet to increase your storage space? Is there a room where you could build shelves along a wall and then cover them up with pretty fabric or something?

I love my house and all it's storage-I have 2 empty closets and lots of unused storage space but I have lived in houses with minimal storage and it was a PAIN to keep neat.

 

[mickeyfan2]

I would install high shelves in the garage and store them there.

 

[chrissyk]

I buy a new tree every year; it's shipped WITH THE STAND ATTACHED. Expensive, but a real time and effort saver, and one less thing to store.

I'm also considering getting rid of the wreaths and just buying fresh every year.

Do you buy a "live" tree or an artificial one every year? This artificial tree takes up like 3 big boxes worth of space...I'm not sure if it's worth having because it takes up so much space!!

 

[froglady]

Do you buy a "live" tree or an artificial one every year? This artificial tree takes up like 3 big boxes worth of space...I'm not sure if it's worth having because it takes up so much space!!

Well, it WAS live before they cut it. I order from Gardner's Eden, and it's shipped to my front door in a very tall box. The plastic stand box is attached, and I just have to insert the legs, which are in the box. I cut the bottom of the box off (carefully) insert the legs, pivot the tree upright, then position it before cutting off the rest of the box to let the branches out. It's sooo easy. Just add water and a tree skirt and you're ready to decorate.

I also order greenery for the mantle, and a wreath for the front door, along with a greenery "frame" for the door. I attach the pieces to cup hooks that I leave up all year, then weave lights through it.

 

[ChrisnSteph]

Currently they are all stored in colored bins in a closet space underneath our stairs, but they're hard to get get out when we need them. We're going to build a shed in the backyard eventually so that we can store everthing in there.