Dadvice Weekly #20 / Christmas Storage Management
Dadvice Weekly - #20
When Kyle asked me to do a newsletter where we recommend things that are useful, two ideas immediately came to mind. The first was the rolling TV (see issue #4). The second was what I figured out last December for storing our Christmas tree and decorations.
We’ve had our house since October 2019 which means we are about to have our seventh Christmas here. For the first five years, everything was crammed into the hallway closet. Year one was fine because there was minimal competition for space. Year two got harder because the Christmas gear was buried behind other stuff. By Christmas #5, pulling out boxes and the tree was a chore, and I started thinking through how to do this better.
Last year I did some research and made some purchases to have a better storage system. It has made our closet less cluttered and the process of pulling out the Christmas gear so easy. It sounds silly, but I’m passionate about this setup and want you to consider it too. I’ve showed it to other storage enthusiasts and have been given positive feedback.
This newsletter is a little different. The entire newsletter is about Christmas storage, and all the recommendations detail the system I have and how you can have it too.
I’m including a photo of my garage with some numbers that correspond to the recs I have below. -SW
1. Overhead Storage Racks
I bought overhead storage racks from Amazon. The brand I used is Fleximount, but there are plenty of competitors. I ended up installing two racks (one 4x8 and one 4x6). These hold our tree, bins, and other stuff including a spare set of golf clubs. So this is a Christmas storage tip, but if you’re going to do it you might as well think of your holistic storage system.
Tip: Measure before you buy. Check clearance between your garage door and ceiling to make sure a rack can fit. Also check clearance between your vehicle and the rack. I couldn’t put mine above the garage door when it’s open, but I could fit the cars in the garage underneath it. Planning and measuring before installing saved me time and a headache.
2. Lighting Fix
One rack ended up under a garage light, which got partially blocked by boxes. I solved this with a $13 LED work light extender from Amazon. It’s not mandatory, but worth mentioning if you run into the same issue. When you measure just know you are able to redirect your lighting.
3. Storage Bins
We use stackable bins from Home Depot for all Christmas gear. This isn’t groundbreaking, but it’s essential for maximizing space and keeping things organized.
4. Ratchet Tool
To hang the racks, I bought a cordless automatic ratchet from Amazon. A manual set works fine, but since I was doing this solo, it was a great excuse to buy a new tool. I’ve used it a few times for other projects too.
This setup completely changed how we handle Christmas storage. No more digging through closets or wrestling with boxes. Everything is organized, accessible, and out of the way. I did it myself and it probably took me two hours.
If you’ve been frustrated with holiday storage, this is your sign to fix it before you put the tree back into your current storage solution. It’s worth every penny. -SW
Dadvice Weekly is Kyle and Skyler—two friends in their thirties, living in Colorado, settling into fatherhood and trying to stay sane. Every Tuesday we share what’s working in our homes: gear we use, routines we’ve tested, ideas we’re trying. It could be a recipe, a product that solved a problem, or just what we’re thinking about as dads.
If you have a tip, tried something we mentioned, or just want to say hi, reply to this email or message us on Substack. We read everything, and we’re always looking for what works. Glad you’re here.