5 Ways U-Haul Can Help This Holiday Season

The holidays are a crazy time of year — the stores are packed, there are festive events to attend, and you might feel like your list of errands will never end. Despite the chaos, it’s a joyful season, and we want to help you make the most of it. We’re here to help make some of your to-do items easier this holiday season. 

1. Transporting Seasonal Items

Holiday shopping often involves oversized items that can quickly fill up your trunk or back seat. When you need extra space, a pickup truck rental or a local cargo van rental is an easy, affordable solution. You’ll be able to transport oversized gifts, large grocery hauls, or even a Christmas tree — all in one trip. If you’re hosting, a truck or van can also help you tote decorations, tables, chairs, and dishes from your local storage unit to the party.

2. Coming Home From College

If you’re in college, you may be coming home for the holiday season. You’ve studied hard for your finals, and now it’s time to kick back with your family. Perhaps there are a few things in your dorm you’d like to take home with you, such as some winter clothes or holiday gifts for family. Collegeboxes by U-Haul is the perfect service to ship your items home. We can ship your belongings back to campus for the spring semester or store them if you’re studying abroad or taking a semester off from school.

3. Making and Storing Decorations

U-Haul moving supplies might not be the first thing you think of when prepping for the holidays (or packing everything back up in the new year), but we can help your holidays in a few ways:

• Bubble packing wrap is a fun material for holiday crafts, such as ornaments, miniature Christmas trees, snowflakes, and more.  
• Christmas tree storage bags are perfect for keeping your tree looking fresh year-round and ready for the holiday season. It is large enough to fit a 9-foot-tall tree, so there’s no need to squish your tree back into its original box!
• Your ornaments will also need a safe storage place. Make things easy with a cell kit — each ornament has its own slot, so you won’t find any broken ones later on. Pair your cell kit with bubble packing wrap and a double-walled dish barrel box for the best holiday protection. 

Finally, it’s always smart to think of next year during the holidays. Be sure to save any holiday gift bags you receive so you can reuse them. They can easily be stored under your bed or in your closet in a clear storage container. 

4. Storing Gifts and Seasonal Items

Renting a storage unit is a smart move during the holiday season. If you’re hosting a gathering, you can store furniture to make extra room in your home, or use the unit to keep off-season appliances and cookware. If you’re planning to have the best decorated house in the neighborhood, a storage unit is a great place to keep your decorations during the rest of the year. Also, it’s a great place to hide gifts if your children (or other family members) tend to snoop!

You might store your:

• Christmas tree, oversized menorahs, or large lanterns
• Indoor/outdoor decorative lights
• Inflatable lawn decorations or other large displays
• Winter sports equipment (skis, snowboards, sleds, etc.)
• Heavy coats/boots

5. Hosting Holiday Parties

Hosting a holiday party can be stressful, so we recommend securing your fuel in advance to make things as easy as possible. From keeping warm to cooking a delicious meal, propane is your ultimate holiday party tool. Use our refill finder to find fast and affordable propane refills near you. Put your propane tank to use with:

• Portable heaters: These heaters are conveniently compatible with various sized propane tanks to keep your guests warm. 
• Propane fire ring: This product has the look and feel of a campfire, but there’s no smoke or need for firewood. This kit includes two roasting sticks, perfect for s'mores and keeping warm. 

And of course, the holidays are an essential time to put safety above all else. Follow these key tips to ensure a safe and enjoyable holiday party meal.

Whether you’re facing a hefty shopping spree, no space for decorations, or a big holiday party for your friends and family, U-Haul has you covered this holiday season. Visit your local U-Haul center for supplies and services to help you make this the most wonderful time of the year.