Thanksgiving is just around the corner. You've eaten too much turkey, survived the heated family debates, and now you're staring at a pile of fall decorations, wondering how to transition from one season to the next. Now, you are wondering what happens next. Do they go straight to the attic? Do they simply blend in with your Christmas decorations? Do you just leave them out until the time takes its course and they wither away?Our team at StorPlace on Central Pike has witnessed this decoration dilemma unfold every year. Some people nail it, others create storage chaos that haunts them until next November. In this blog, we'll discuss what actually works.What Should Stay & What Should Go?Are you one of those people who go straight from Thanksgiving to Christmas? Most people put up their Christmas tree on Black Friday.If that's you, you're probably packing away Thanksgiving stuff immediately. But if you're someone who likes to extend the fall vibe through early December, you've got some choices to make.Keep out through early December:Neutral fall items Harvest arrangements that still look goodWarm-toned candles and table runnersAnything that bridges fall into winterPack away immediately:Turkey-specific decorationsSigns and bannersThanksgiving table settingsPilgrim hats and cornucopiasThe items you keep out can transition nicely, but anything labeled as Thanksgiving needs to go. Nobody wants to see turkey decorations in December.Sort Before You StoreHere's where most people typically make a mistake. They just shove everything into whatever boxes are handy, write "Thanksgiving" on it with a Sharpie, and call it done. Then next November, they open those boxes, and it's chaos.Take 20 minutes to sort properly:Table Decor: Placemats, napkin rings, centerpieces, table runners, fancy dishesWall & Door Items: Wreaths, banners, signs, door hangersKitchen: Thanksgiving-themed kitchen towels, pot holders, serving plattersOutdoor: Yard signs, porch decorations, fall flagsFragile: Anything breakable that needs extra protectionSorting now saves you hours next year. Our team has heard countless stories about people unpacking random boxes looking for their turkey platter.The Container SituationLet's talk storage containers because this matters more than you think.Plastic bins with lids are your best bet. Clear ones if possible, you'll thank yourself next year when you can actually see what's inside.Get bins that are all the same size. We recommend 18-27-gallon bins. They're big enough to be useful but not so huge that you can't lift them. Plus, uniform sizes stack better.Don't use:Cardboard boxes Garbage bagsRandom mismatched containersOne bin per category usually works. So you'd have a "Thanksgiving Table Decor" bin, a "Thanksgiving Wall Decor" bin, etc.Wrap the Fragile StuffWe've seen too many broken decorations that could've been saved with five minutes of wrapping.Wrap these items:Ceramic turkeys and figurinesGlass serving dishesDecorative platesAnything with sentimental valueUse bubble wrap, packing paper, or even newspaper. Dish towels work in a pinch. Just don't throw fragile items loose into a bin and hope for the best.Pro tip from our team: Take a photo on your phone of how decorative items look when properly arranged. Next year, you'll remember exactly how that tablescape was supposed to go together.Label Like You'll Forget EverythingBecause you will, by next November, you won't remember what's in "Box 1" or which bin has the good napkin rings.Your label should include:"THANKSGIVING DECORATIONS" in big lettersBrief list of contentsYear storedAny special notes Use a label maker, printed labels, or a thick permanent marker. Whatever makes it readable.Where to Store Thanksgiving DecorationsNow for the actual storage location. You've got options.Option 1: At Home (If You Have Space)Attic: Fine if you've got climate control. Without it, Tennessee's heat and humidity aren't great for fabrics and anything with glue.Basement: Better than attic if it's dry. But if your basement gets damp, skip it.Garage: Works for short-term, but not ideal long-term. Temperature swings and critters are concerns.Hall closet: Perfect if you've got room. Climate-controlled, accessible, but most people don't have extra closet space.Option 2: Storage UnitThis is where our team sees a lot of Hermitage families make smart moves. Instead of cramming seasonal decorations into already-packed closets and attics, they use a storage unit as their decoration headquarters.Here's how it works:Get a small climate-controlled unit - Even a 5x5 is enough for most families' seasonal decoration collection.Organize by season - Each holiday gets its own section. You're creating a decoration library where everything has its place.Access when you need it - Swing by before each holiday, grab what you need, and return it after. Our Central Pike location makes this easy. You're not fighting traffic to get here.Free up home space - Your closets and attic become usable again. Suddenly, you've got room for stuff you actually use year-round.The math works out, too. If you're paying $50-75/month for a small unit and it solves your storage shortage at home, that's cheaper than renovating your attic or adding closets.What About Perishables?Do not store perishable items.Decorative gourds and pumpkins: These rot. If they're real, toss them. If they're fake, wash and dry them thoroughly before storing.Natural Items: Dried corn, wheat bundles, and real leaves can attract bugs. If you're keeping them, store them in sealed containers.Setting Up for Next YearBefore you seal everything up:Make a checklist of what you're storing. Keep it on your phone or with your holiday planning notes.Note what you need to replace - Did something break? Write it down now while you remember.Mark your calendar - Set a reminder for next October to grab your decorations.Take inventory photos - Quick pics of your bins make next year easier.The Real Cost of Poor StorageLet's talk money for a second. Our team has watched people learn expensive lessons.Bad storage costs you:Replacing ruined decorations ($50-200 annually)Buying duplicates because you can't find the originalTime wasted searching through disorganized boxes (hours of your life)Stress during holiday prep (because nothing's where it should be)Good storage saves you:MoneyTimeStressSpace Spending 30 minutes organizing now saves hours of frustration later.Come See UsIf you're in Hermitage and dealing with storage overflow, stop by StorPlace Storage at 3986 Central Pike, Hermitage, TN, 37076.Our team can show you different unit sizes, talk through what makes sense for your situation, and help you figure out if a storage unit solves your decoration dilemma.We're not trying to sell you something you don't need. But if you're cramming decorations into every available closet and still running out of room, there might be a better way.
