An artificial tree and your decorations store well in a unit: pack the tree in its box or a tree bag, wrap baubles one by one in paper, take the batteries out of any lights, and label everything. It frees up the loft or the cupboard under the stairs for eleven months of the year, and it’s all ready when December comes round. We’ve written more on storing a Christmas tree.
The tree
- Take the tree apart into its sections and fold the branches in gently.
- Pack it in its original box if you still have it, or a zip-up tree bag.
- Stand it upright or lay it on top of a stack, so heavier boxes don’t bend the branches.
Baubles and fragile decorations
- Wrap each glass or ceramic bauble in paper or bubble wrap.
- Use boxes with dividers, or small boxes, so nothing rolls about or gets crushed.
- Avoid plastic bags, which can trap moisture and lead to mould.
- Keep the heaviest boxes at the bottom and mark the fragile ones clearly on more than one side.
Lights
- Plug-in lights are fine. Our units don’t have power sockets, so simply wind them round a piece of card to stop them tangling.
- Battery-powered lights and decorations: take the batteries out first and keep them at home. Battery makers advise removing batteries from anything you won’t use for several months, which helps protect your decorations from leaks.
A few things to keep at home
To keep everyone’s belongings safe, we don’t store plants of any kind, living or dead, or anything flammable. That means:
- Real trees, wreaths and garlands made from natural foliage, or dried flower arrangements, stay out. Artificial wreaths and garlands are fine; just make sure they’re dry before you pack them.
- Aerosol cans, such as spray snow, stay at home, because aerosols are flammable.
If you’re not sure about an item, ask us before you bring it in and we’ll tell you straight away. Our list of items we can’t store has the full detail.
Getting it out again in December
Put the Christmas boxes near the door of your unit so they’re easy to reach. You can get to your unit from 6am to 10pm, seven days a week (times can vary by site), so an evening or weekend trip to collect the tree is easy to fit in.
To find a unit near you, get a price online or call us on 0800 2545585.
Related questions
- How do I pack boxes so they stack safely in a storage unit?
- How should I label boxes for moving and storage?
- Can I store an electric bike, e-scooter or lithium batteries in a storage unit?
Further reading