Self-Storage Tips You Can Be Thankful For in 2024

Holiday traditions often involve unique recipes that require special cookware: Dutch ovens, cast iron skillets, meat platters, cheese trays, loaf pans, and stoneware, which are just some of the special cookware pieces used heavily during the holiday season. These dishes are often made to cook large quantities of food and are made of special materials. Their occasional use is fine, but their bulkiness quickly takes up space you could use for everyday cooking.

This is why using self-storage to store your holiday dishes, bulky cooking equipment, and decorations is the perfect solution. You can stay organized in even the smallest spaces and keep items pristine for holidays to come. Here is how you can utilize storage to plan a successful Thanksgiving meal.

Pre-Holiday Preparation

Before you begin your holiday preparations, determine what dishes you plan to make, how many people you plan to serve, and what cookware you need beforehand. Plan a Thanksgiving menu, including sides, your main dish, and desserts. Create a checklist of the pots, pans, and other cooking appliances you will need for the holiday, the same as you would for the ingredients you need.

Renting a storage unit is a clever way to keep presents safe from prying eyes, ensuring your kids won’t uncover this hiding spot for their holiday gifts. Choose the right-sized unit to keep those presents securely tucked away.

Storing Everyday Items to Make Space

While preparing for the big feast, you know you will need a storage unit to keep the dishes and decor safe for next year. In that case, you can use your unit to hold onto your everyday items while you set up for the holidays. For apartment dwellers and others with little space, you can make room for guests by keeping furniture, appliances, and other non-essential items in your storage unit. 

Pack these items with care. Be sure to clean and dry dishes completely before storing them. Cover any furniture or appliances to keep off the dust and dirt. Install shelving to stack items vertically to save space and keep things off the floor. Keep these items in an easily accessible place so that when the festivities have ended, you can quickly retrieve your belongings and put them back where they belong.

With everyday items put away, you now have the room to clean your home from top to bottom. Take advantage of the freed-up space and clean thoroughly while furniture and other items are stashed away. If you plan on setting up extra tables or inflatable mattresses, use this time to stage the meal so you can make adjustments and account for any additional guests.

Post-Holiday Organization

When all is said and done, packing and putting away items for storage is the best way to keep them intact and available to use for years to come. The first step always involves cleaning the cookware. However, some pots and pans require a few additional steps. Cast iron cookware can only retain quality if stored dry and seasoned. Fill dishes and Dutch ovens with newspaper or cloth to provide a cushion. Wrap lids carefully or tape them securely to the dish so you never lose an item. Keep the dishes’ packaging so you can use that to pack away cookware.

Pack and put away your items in a rented unit with features such as climate control to keep your holiday dishes in good condition until next year.

 

Need help figuring out where to begin? If this is your first foray into self-storage, ClickandStor™ Online Rental Suite is the perfect place to start. Our intuitive rental software is easy to navigate and mobile-friendly. Search our directory of storage providers nationwide and find precisely what you need. Start searching on your smartphone today and tackle your holiday plans right away.