The After-Christmas Cleanup: How to Reclaim Your Home (and Your Sanity)

1. Step One: Face the Toypocalypse

Kids’ toys have taken over your house. You can’t open a closet without a LEGO avalanche, and you’re 99% sure the dog is now sleeping on a stuffed unicorn. If the mere thought of sneaking some toys into the donation bin gives you anxiety (because your kids have the memory of an elephant and will notice), here’s the solution: temporary exile to storage!

• Sort toys into categories (e.g., action figures, building blocks, stuffed animals).
• Use clear plastic bins so you can easily see what’s inside.
• Label each bin and include an inventory list for future reference.
• Place fragile or sentimental items in protective wrapping before packing.

2. Ohhhh yeah, that bring green thing that isn't money. The Christmas Tree

If you’ve got an artificial tree, chances are it’s shedding more fake needles than the real thing by now. Wrapping it in a trash bag and cramming it into the attic seems like a good idea until next December when it comes out looking like it fought a raccoon or the Charlie Brown Christmas Tree. Instead, neatly pack it in a proper storage bag or box and give it a happy home in a Storwell storage unit.  *Don't worry, It will be not be lonely, Santa and the Elves visit Storwell Storage all year long. It's like a magical pop up Santa Shop!

• Disassemble the tree and place each section in its original box or a specialized tree storage bag.
• Wrap fragile ornaments still attached to the tree with tissue paper or bubble wrap.
• Label the bag or box clearly for easy access next year.

And if you’re one of those people still clinging to your real tree because "it’s not that dead yet," it’s time. Let it go. The curb is calling.

3. Post-Holiday Storage Tips for Decorations

Christmas decorations are like glitter—they seem to multiply and never truly go away. Take the time to organize them into labeled, stackable containers.

How to Pack Decorations:

• Wrap fragile ornaments individually with tissue paper or foam sheets.
• Use compartmentalized storage containers for smaller items like baubles.
• Coil your lights neatly and secure them with twist ties or in cardboard slots to prevent tangling.
• Store everything in sturdy, moisture-resistant bins and label them by category (e.g., "Outdoor Lights," "Tree Decorations," etc.).

If you’re out of space at home, Storwell can help. Keep your decorations safe and ready for next year in one of our climate-controlled units, so you don’t have to untangle lights from a box of mystery items come December.

4. The "I Can't Find My Car" Garage Conundrum

Your garage is no longer a garage. It’s a Christmas storage annex. Between the leftover wrapping paper, light-up reindeer, kid's bicycles, broke down riding lawn mower and Grandma’s vintage punch bowl set, there’s no room for the thing it was actually built for: your car. This is where Storwell comes to the rescue.

How to Pack and Store Garage Items:

• Consolidate all holiday-specific items into labeled bins.
• Use vertical shelving in your storage unit to maximize space.
• Keep frequently used tools or seasonal equipment easily accessible.

Rent a storage unit and move everything you don’t need until next December into it. Bonus: You’ll finally be able to stop scraping frost off your windshield in the morning.

5. Bedding Wars: In-Law Edition

We all love our in-laws (at least for the first 48 hours of their visit), but keeping their bedding around for their "next" trip can be a headache. A storage unit is a perfect place to keep that spare air mattress, random floral comforter, and 15 decorative pillows they insist on using. Plus, it’s a subtle way to nudge them toward a shorter visit.

• Wash and dry all bedding thoroughly before storing to prevent mildew.
• Use vacuum-sealed bags to save space and keep items fresh.
• Label the bags and group them together in a storage bin for easy retrieval.

6. The "What Even Is This?" Box

Every year, there’s at least one box of decorations you swear you didn’t put up and have no memory of unpacking. It’s full of tangled lights, half-broken ornaments, and that weird singing Santa no one likes. Instead of leaving it in the garage to haunt you, pack it up and toss it into your storage unit. Out of sight, out of mind, and out of the way.

Storwell Storage offers flexible storage options across California and Oregon, from 5'x5' units for your "just a little extra space" needs to 20'x30' units that could probably fit Santa’s sleigh and eight reindeer and Santa's Wrokshop.. Our units are extremely affordable and conveniently located, so you can stop tripping over holiday clutter and start enjoying your space again.

So this year, skip the stress and let Storwell help you conquer the post-Christmas chaos. Your garage will thank you, your kids will stop crying over "missing" toys (because you didn’t donate them—you’re storing them, obviously), and you might even find your car again. Cheers to a clutter-free New Year!