Storage for Christmas Decorations

[thelegges]

This trip brought some Christmas decorations. Can’t bring down our 2000sf basement. So looking for your experience.

Our 9’ tree can go to the garage, with no problem. The concern is our Department 56. The fluctuation in garage temp could do damage.

We do have a large closet in master, putting them on top shelves is good for a few years, but down the road climbing up that 8’ ladder will no longer be easy. Plus they are heavy, once multiple are in a box. Thinking of a small climate control storage.

Our collection spans 44 years. Parents started the collection, and as each moved out their favorite pieces, have traveled, and added on.

Our granddaughter just moved to her first apartment, her favorite pieces from great grandparents, in tow. So really don’t need advice just get rid of them.

So looking for those who have safely or bad experience of storage. Thanks in advance

[Trayderjoe]

We have used Fort Knox Self Storage on Rolling Acres for several years. We have a climate controlled storage unit and have never had an issue with our items in storage.

[bilcon]

I have stored all my Christmas decorations in the garage attic for 10 years, including our tree and have never had any issues except climbing up and down the garage stairs

[kathyspear]

The concern is our Department 56.

What is "Department 56"?

kathy

[Bogie Shooter]

What is "Department 56"?

kathy

Google is your friend.

Department 56: Official Site for Christmas Villages, Snowbabies & More
Official Site (https://department56.com/)

[bandsdavis]

This trip brought some Christmas decorations. Can’t bring down our 2000sf basement. So looking for your experience.

Our 9’ tree can go to the garage, with no problem. The concern is our Department 56. The fluctuation in garage temp could do damage.

We do have a large closet in master, putting them on top shelves is good for a few years, but down the road climbing up that 8’ ladder will no longer be easy. Plus they are heavy, once multiple are in a box. Thinking of a small climate control storage.

Our collection spans 44 years. Parents started the collection, and as each moved out their favorite pieces, have traveled, and added on.

Our granddaughter just moved to her first apartment, her favorite pieces from great grandparents, in tow. So really don’t need advice just get rid of them.

So looking for those who have safely or bad experience of storage. Thanks in advance

My wife has 44 Snowbabies of various sizes and ages, and we have kept them in our garage here the last 8 years. No problems at all.

[Opmoochler]

This trip brought some Christmas decorations. Can’t bring down our 2000sf basement. So looking for your experience.

Our 9’ tree can go to the garage, with no problem. The concern is our Department 56. The fluctuation in garage temp could do damage.

We do have a large closet in master, putting them on top shelves is good for a few years, but down the road climbing up that 8’ ladder will no longer be easy. Plus they are heavy, once multiple are in a box. Thinking of a small climate control storage.

Our collection spans 44 years. Parents started the collection, and as each moved out their favorite pieces, have traveled, and added on.

Our granddaughter just moved to her first apartment, her favorite pieces from great grandparents, in tow. So really don’t need advice just get rid of them.

So looking for those who have safely or bad experience of storage. Thanks in advance

We have two big heavy duty plastic trunks, big enough to be coffins, that contain 30 Dept 56 buildings and all their cords and bulbs. We have stored them in the back of our garage for the last 5 years without incident.

[starflyte1]

I would prefer not to store in the garage or attic because of the heat. Rent a climate controlled storage spot, as a previous poster suggested. I use Ft Knox Storage

The heat may not harm some things, but I wouldn’t want to experiment with something so special.

[coffeebean]

What is "Department 56"?

kathy

Department 56: Official Site for Christmas Villages, Snowbabies & More
Official Site (https://department56.com/)

I have the original 7 houses of the Dept. 56 Dickens' Village. I also have the train station and the Child Pond with the accessory pieces. When my Mom passed away, I, being her eldest child, received those original pieces and the pieces I just mentioned. The rest of her collection was given to my three sisters and a couple pieces to her niece.

As for storage, here in Florida, I have had no problem at all storing all my Dept. 56 collectibles in the attic or the garage. In fact, I stored theses collectibles in the attic for a few years when we lived in South Florida. In The Villages, my village pieces have been stored in custom cabinetry in the garage. All of my Dept. 56 pieces look brand new with no evidence of damage. I never even considered using a climate controlled facility to store these porcelain pieces.

The only items I will not store in the garage or attic in Florida are candles. Everything else......no problem.

[racedaygal]

I decided to just leave mine out all year long and put them over my kitchen cabinets. Of course, I don’t get to use all of the little people and trees and stuff, but I get to enjoy the houses. There is an electrical outlet above the cabinets and a switch on the dining room wall that controls it, so I can turn them on whenever I want. I designed the layout and had wood cut by Home Depot to fit between the tops of the cabinet pieces so the houses would be the right heights and fit properly.

[bonrich]

Storage in garage attic, nothing in cardboard for sure. Most accidents in TV is pickleball, torn tendon and slips on garage attic drop down stairs. Maybe it's time to talk with the grandchildren to see who wants some of the Dept. 56 pieces, early gifting. Will save packing and storing and the enjoyment you had all these years can start with them now. Just a thought.......

[spip911]

Very pretty. What a good idea.

[Miss B GA]

I use a climate-controlled storage unit nearby. The attic was too hot for my decorations and other items that needed to be stored.

[thenoits]

Porcelain house with a Christmas theme along with accessories to make up towns and villages.

[thevillager1988]

Department 56: Official Site for Christmas Villages, Snowbabies & More
Official Site (https://department56.com/)

I have the original 7 houses of the Dept. 56 Dickens' Village. I also have the train station and the Child Pond with the accessory pieces. When my Mom passed away, I, being her eldest child, received those original pieces and the pieces I just mentioned. The rest of her collection was given to my three sisters and a couple pieces to her niece.

As for storage, here in Florida, I have had no problem at all storing all my Dept. 56 collectibles in the attic or the garage. In fact, I stored theses collectibles in the attic for a few years when we lived in South Florida. In The Villages, my village pieces have been stored in custom cabinetry in the garage. All of my Dept. 56 pieces look brand new with no evidence of damage. I never even considered using a climate controlled facility to store these porcelain pieces.

The only items I will not store in the garage or attic in Florida are candles. Everything else......no problem.

I also have the original 7 houses of the Dept. 56 Dickens' Village. A very special wedding gift received 32 years ago. We store them in a linen closet inside the house. I worried about the electrical cords. Having no basis for this worry ... just prioritized the villages for the limited space we have indoors.

We stored our pre-lit tree in the garage attic. The lights worked when we put it up, but every day one section went out, until it was no longer "pre-lit". It's probably 10 years old. Not sure if it was the heat and humidity or the age.

Hope this is helpful.

[JC and John]

This trip brought some Christmas decorations. Can’t bring down our 2000sf basement. So looking for your experience.

Our 9’ tree can go to the garage, with no problem. The concern is our Department 56. The fluctuation in garage temp could do damage.

We do have a large closet in master, putting them on top shelves is good for a few years, but down the road climbing up that 8’ ladder will no longer be easy. Plus they are heavy, once multiple are in a box. Thinking of a small climate control storage.

Our collection spans 44 years. Parents started the collection, and as each moved out their favorite pieces, have traveled, and added on.

Our granddaughter just moved to her first apartment, her favorite pieces from great grandparents, in tow. So really don’t need advice just get rid of them.

So looking for those who have safely or bad experience of storage. Thanks in advance

We use Extra Space Storage in Lady Lake on route 466. I too have a huge collection of Dept.56. Most of my collection is on display year round in a special glass cabinet (36 X 84) made especially for Dept56. The train and other larger items are stored as well as Christmas tree etc in our storage unit. Extra Space is a very clean multi story building with elevators and little flatbed carts you can use. I have no problem going there without my hubby. Would post a picture but don’t know how. Looks too complicated.

[Kahuna32162]

We use the closet in the Guest bedroom and store all our Christmas decorations packed in stackable plastic bins. Outside lighting and misc decorations stay in the garage. Try not to use cardboard if left outside or in attic storage, bugs love cardboard. Plastic storage bins at Lowes are usually pretty cheap right after the first on the year. BTW, we store photos the same way.

[ping]

I too have kept my decoration in the Attic without a problem. This year, my husband was unable to help due to an injury. It’s was very difficult trying to get the storage containers out of the attic on those pull down stairs. I realize that no way will I be able to put them back up there. I’ve ordered an outside shed to house them. The decorations are in plastic, water tight containers. Being outdoors, the climate is no better or worse than the attic. Going to try it this year, see how it goes. I do live in a courtyard villa, so having a shed is not a problem!

[Debset]

All I can suggest is PLEASE do not rely on friends to store your items of any kind. You may never get them back! Keep all your precise possessions within reach!

[wmcgowan]

This trip brought some Christmas decorations. Can’t bring down our 2000sf basement. So looking for your experience.

Our 9’ tree can go to the garage, with no problem. The concern is our Department 56. The fluctuation in garage temp could do damage.

We do have a large closet in master, putting them on top shelves is good for a few years, but down the road climbing up that 8’ ladder will no longer be easy. Plus they are heavy, once multiple are in a box. Thinking of a small climate control storage.

Our collection spans 44 years. Parents started the collection, and as each moved out their favorite pieces, have traveled, and added on.

Our granddaughter just moved to her first apartment, her favorite pieces from great grandparents, in tow. So really don’t need advice just get rid of them.

So looking for those who have safely or bad experience of storage. Thanks in advance

SELF STORAGE - or eliminate the excess
:ho:

[Joorn59]

Now is the perfect time to downsize those decorations.

[Wiserbud47]

This trip brought some Christmas decorations. Can’t bring down our 2000sf basement. So looking for your experience.

Our 9’ tree can go to the garage, with no problem. The concern is our Department 56. The fluctuation in garage temp could do damage.

We do have a large closet in master, putting them on top shelves is good for a few years, but down the road climbing up that 8’ ladder will no longer be easy. Plus they are heavy, once multiple are in a box. Thinking of a small climate control storage.

Our collection spans 44 years. Parents started the collection, and as each moved out their favorite pieces, have traveled, and added on.

Our granddaughter just moved to her first apartment, her favorite pieces from great grandparents, in tow. So really don’t need advice just get rid of them.

So looking for those who have safely or bad experience of storage. Thanks in advance

I strongly recommend using a climate-controlled self storage unit. There are many around the Villages. We use Southern Self Storage near Walmart on 466. Pick one that is convenient for you. You will find that you will be putting in other heat sensitive items in the unit also. The heat here in the summer can definitely do damage to items. You will not be sorry. It is worth the cost to protect your special items.

[waltwl]

I had four large bits with original houses and accessories. Gave them to goodwill. Next will be the Hummels.

[Barborv]

Can't tell you about storage in attic because we just bought house and are not moving down permanently for 2 more years. What I can tell you is, We have installed the majic stairs. No climbing up and down a ladder. Its actual stairs. A bit pricey, so I hope its worth it. Neighbors also have the lift. That is something we will also look into to. Just put all your boxes on the lift, send it up and meet it at the top from walking the stairs.

[Garywt]

If you need a ladder to reach the closet shelf how about the floor in the closet or one of the closets in the other bedrooms. We have plenty of space as most everything is still up north. Our bedroom closet still has all the extra tile and carpeting from when the house was built.

[tophcfa]

This thread is very sad , just like the OP, we have many years of decorations with lots of sentimental value. Unfortunately, the value is only to us, no one else has the same memories and puts next to zero value on the stuff. Christmas decorations are probably the number one thing one can buy for next to nothing at estate sales. We are hoping our daughter will embrace all our Christmas decorations she grew up with, or else they are just going out with the trash. Downsizing can be painful, but also rewarding. Storage in the Villages is very difficult without a basement or attic. Oh well, the trials and tribulations of being old. At least it's better than the alternative : )

[Garywt]

This thread is very sad , just like the OP, we have many years of decorations with lots of sentimental value. Unfortunately, the value is only to us, no one else has the same memories and puts next to zero value on the stuff. Christmas decorations are probably the number one thing one can buy for next to nothing at estate sales. We are hoping our daughter will embrace all our Christmas decorations she grew up with, or else they are just going out with the trash. Downsizing can be painful, but also rewarding. Storage in the Villages is very difficult without a basement or attic. Oh well, the trials and tribulations of being old. At least it's better than the alternative : )

We were thankful that our youngest son took a lot of our outside decoration this year. Our daughter and grandson will take care of the rest of the outdoor stuff. As for inside we have cut way back on what we get out of the attic as I can only make one or two trips up there.

[John41]

We store a lot of decorations under the bed in plastic storage boxes, on a custom closet unit in the master bedroom and in the attic.