Deck the Halls with Care: 5 Tips for Safely Packing Holiday Decorations During Your Spring PCS

Dear Military Moving Company,

I hope this letter finds you well. As the idea of embarking on the adventure of another military move nears, I find myself both excited for the new journey and a bit terrified of moving all of my earthly contents across the country. Among the precious cargo making the trip is a treasure trove of holiday decorations—those glittering ornaments made by the kids, twinkling lights, Christmas decor passed down from my great grandmother, and tinsel-laden memories that transform a house into a home.

While we know your team is accustomed to handling a multitude of items, PLEASE DON’T BREAK MY MEMORIES!

Wishing you a safe and cheerful holiday season,

Xoxo Polly PCS

If you’ve ever thought of writing such a letter, or a spring PCS is in the cards for you, keep reading!

Spring is a season of renewal, and for military families, it often marks the time for a PCS. As you gear up for this exciting but sometimes challenging transition, one aspect that deserves special attention is the safe packing of your cherished holiday decorations.

Here are five tips to ensure your holiday decor arrives at your new home unharmed and ready to bring joy.

1. Categorize and Conquer:

Before you dive into the packing process, take some time to categorize your holiday decorations.

Group similar items together, such as ornaments, lights, and figurines. If grouping similar items is not how your brain functions, then we highly recommend grouping items that go in the same space. 

This not only makes unpacking more efficient but also helps you tailor your packing strategy to the specific needs of each category.

2. Invest in Sturdy Containers:

For military families, the yellow and black storage boxes from Costco are often a go-to solution for their durability and spacious design.

These boxes are not only sturdy but also provide a uniform size for easy stacking and packing in the moving truck.

Invest in high-quality storage containers that can withstand the rigors of a PCS journey, ensuring your decorations stay secure during the move. 

Often times moving companies need to see the contents of the box before signing off on how it’s packed.  In the past we have packed our yellow and black totes and just left the tops off so the packers can verify nothing will break, and add packing paper if needed. 

During our last move, one of the packers started cheering when he saw we had everything in our Costco crates – everyone loves them!

3. Label, Label, Label:

Clear and detailed labeling is your best friend during a move. Clearly mark each box with its contents and the room it belongs to.

You can even go a step further and label boxes with special handling instructions, especially if they contain fragile items.

A well-labeled box not only makes unpacking a breeze but also helps your moving team handle your items with the care they deserve.

4. Wrap it Up:

When it comes to delicate items like glass ornaments or intricate decor pieces, wrapping is key. Use tissue paper, bubble wrap, or even old newspapers to provide a protective layer for each item.

For string lights, consider wrapping them around pieces of cardboard to prevent tangling. Taking the time to wrap each item individually will ensure they arrive at your new home in the same condition they left. 

There are some pretty great organizers available from Amazon and Target that can be used inside the black and yellow boxes for added protection and organization.  Here are just a few that we’ve used with much success!  

5. Prioritize Essentials in a “Holiday First” Box:

Identify the holiday decorations that hold the most sentimental value or those you’d like to use first in your new home. Pack these essentials in a designated “Holiday First” box. 

This box of holiday decor is generally the last packed and first opened, so it has become the home to our little tiny mischievous red guy (and gal) who starts the stress, err, we mean excitement of the season off right after Thanksgiving! 

Past years have taught us that the little guy is easy to misplace!

Moving can be a hectic time, but with a bit of planning and care, your holiday decorations can weather the journey and continue to bring joy to your family in your new home.

Discovering broken, irreplaceable ornaments in July is no way to start your new life at your new duty station.  A little preparation before all of the chaos of PCSing sets in can help make your move a little smoother.  

Let us know in the comments what other things you do with your holiday belongings  to prepare yourself for a spring move!  If you have any tried and true products that work, drop them below!

Can’t wait to see how the packing goes!  Happy Holidays!

-XOXO The PCS Homegirls

Visit The M:M Expert Page to read more from The PCS Homegirls.