holidays Archives - NSA Storage Blog NSA Storage Is Your Storage Solution Fri, 22 Aug 2025 20:52:25 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 https://www.nsastorage.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/cropped-NSA-Storage-Favicon-32x32.png holidays Archives - NSA Storage Blog 32 32 10 Quick Projects to Knock Out This Labor Day Weekend https://www.nsastorage.com/blog/10-quick-projects-to-knock-out-this-labor-day-weekend/ Thu, 21 Aug 2025 21:03:50 +0000 https://www.nsastorage.com/blog/?p=1044 Table of Contents: While many Americans spend Labor Day weekend barbecuing or beachcombing, it’s also the ideal time to tackle much-needed home projects. After all, Labor Day is a three-day weekend, which gives you extra time to get projects done without rushing or stressing. If you feel the need to get stuff done this Labor

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While many Americans spend Labor Day weekend barbecuing or beachcombing, it’s also the ideal time to tackle much-needed home projects. After all, Labor Day is a three-day weekend, which gives you extra time to get projects done without rushing or stressing. If you feel the need to get stuff done this Labor Day but you’re not sure where to start, read on. The ten projects below, brought to you by NSA Storage, are easy to get done in three days, tops!

What Makes Labor Day Weekend a Great Small Project Weekend?

Americans are lucky enough to have several long weekends every year. Labor Day weekend, however, stands out as the perfect project weekend for a couple of reasons.

First, the weather is still warm, which makes tackling outdoor projects easier and more enjoyable. Also, with school, autumn, and the holidays approaching, Labor Day weekend is your last chance to finish any lingering projects. 

1. Power Wash Your Patio, Walkways, or Driveway

Patios, decks, walkways and driveways take a beating from the weather, which can make them look dull and grungy. Labor Day weekend is a great time to get out your power washer and make them look attractive again. Be sure to:

  • Wear clothes that can get dirty or stained
  • Wear protective shoes
  • Use eye protection
  • Take your time (You have all weekend!)

2. Organize Your Closets

Labor Day weekend is a great time to organize your closets and make your fall mornings easier. Here’s how:

  • Take everything out of your closet first.
  • Sort things by type, use, and season.
  • Donate or toss anything you don’t use, need, or want.
  • Purchase any space saving devices you’d like to use.
  • Put things back so that like is with like. (Short sleeves vs long sleeves, summer vs winter, etc.)

3. Prep Your Yard for Fall

While it might still be warm and pleasant on Labor Day weekend, colder weather is on its way. That makes this last weekend of summer a good choice for yard prepping. For example, now is a great time to:

A gloved hand trimming a bush with an electric hedge trimmer.
  • Trim shrubs, trees, and bushes
  • Store plant pots and other summer garden items for winter 
  • Mow and trim the lawn and apply any winter fertilizer
  • Weed your flower beds
  • Store summer garden tools

4. Give Your Kitchen a Deep Clean

With 3 days to do it, Labor Day weekend is the best time to give your kitchen a deep clean. 

  • Go through the fridge and freezer and toss anything that’s old or expired. (Or gross.)
  • Wipe down all counters, cabinets, and flat surfaces.
  • Move appliances and vacuum/clean behind them.
  • Clean the crumbs out of toasters
  • Organize the cabinets and pantry

5. Donate Unwanted Items to Goodwill

This project is pretty simple; bring anything you want to donate to your local Goodwill. It’s easy, you can get a tax credit for doing so, and it will help people. Plus, once that stuff is gone, you’ll have a lot more storage space in your closets, garage, shed, attic, etc.

6. Refresh Your Bathroom

Bathrooms are usually the smallest rooms in your home, which means they can become cluttered and messy a lot faster. Here are a few tips to refresh your bathroom and make it feel bigger again:

  • Throw away old makeup, expired medications, and anything you never use
  • Replace old towels with new ones of a different color
  • Clean or dust mirrors and fixtures
  • Deep clean the entire bathroom

7. Touch Up Your House’s Exterior

A fresh coat of paint is nice, but painting your entire house is a big job. Better to make the job smaller by touching-up rubs, scrapes, and other spots here and there in your home. You’ll need:

  • Paint to match each wall’s color
  • A good paintbrush
  • A wet rag to clean up any drips
  • A step ladder for higher spots

8. Clean Out and Organize the Garage

Summer is a busy, often frenetic time for most families, and the garage takes the brunt of all that energy. If yours is like most, it will be a mess by Labor Day, which makes cleaning an organizing a much-needed project. Here are a few tips to help:

  • Like your closets, empty the garage as much as possible.
  • Sort everything into 3 piles; keep, donate, trash. 
  • Donate or trash those items.
  • Give the garage a deep clean while everything is outside.
  • If you like, purchase organizing items like plastic bins, tool boxes, hooks, hangers, shelves, etc.
  • Put everything back in a way that makes it easy to find things when you need them. 

9. Clean Out Your Gutters

This project may or may not be doable for some. If it is for you, though, cleaning the gutters on Labor Day weekend makes a lot of sense. Here’s why:

A hand reaching up to clean leaves and dirt out of a gutter.
  • They’re probably full after the summer and the debris summer storms create.
  • Leaves will be falling soon, so having clean gutters is a must.
  • You can put up gutter guards to keep those leaves out.

Be sure to wear gloves and have someone on hand to steady the ladder you use to reach your gutters.

10. Organize Your Holiday Decorations

It might be hard to believe but, once Labor Day arrives, the holidays aren’t far behind. If you decorate for Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any other holiday, now is a good time to organize your decorations. That way, once your favorite holiday rolls around, you’ll be ready to decorate with less stress and more fun!

Store this Fall at NSA Storage

Labor Day Weekend, as we’ve seen, is practically perfect for pouncing on home projects of all persuasions. It gives you three whole days to get things done, with plenty of time in-between for family fun!

When your project is done, if you find yourself without enough storage space, NSA Storage can help. Once you reserve a storage unit online, you can start storing your stuff right away! Our storage units come in several sizes and are clean, safe, and secure. To all of our customers and friends, we wish you all a fun and exciting Labor Day. Be safe and best of luck with any projects you decide to tackle!  

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7 DIY 4th of July Decorations You Can Make at Home  https://www.nsastorage.com/blog/7-diy-4th-of-july-decorations-you-can-make-at-home/ Fri, 27 Jun 2025 17:51:54 +0000 https://www.nsastorage.com/blog/?p=946 Table of Contents: Independence Day is a classic American holiday with something for everyone. Who doesn’t like cookouts, sunshine, swimming pools, and fireworks? If you’re throwing a patriotic party, one thing you’ll definitely need are some fun, colorful 4th of July decorations.  You can always buy your decorations, but making them at home can be

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Independence Day is a classic American holiday with something for everyone. Who doesn’t like cookouts, sunshine, swimming pools, and fireworks? If you’re throwing a patriotic party, one thing you’ll definitely need are some fun, colorful 4th of July decorations. 

You can always buy your decorations, but making them at home can be a fun and creative activity for the whole family! To help get you started, NSA Storage gathered seven DIY 4th of July decorations you can make at home.

Tools and Supplies You’ll Need

Unless you already have the tools and supplies, you’ll need a few to make your 4th of July decorations. Here’s a quick list to take with you to your favorite DIY store:

  • Scissors
  • Glue gun
  • Elmer’s glue
  • Construction paper or heavy card stock
  • Red, white, and blue paint
  • Magic markers
  • String
  • Jars
  • Plates and cups
  • Cycle sticks
  • Toilet paper rolls
  • Scotch tape
  • Old T-shirts
  • Star stickers
  • Ribbons
  • Glitter

7 DIY 4th of July Decorations

1. Mason Jar Centerpieces

Our first DIY decoration can hold flowers, glow sticks, small flags, and more! Not only are they charming but they add a festive look to any 4th of July picnic table! Here’s how to make them:

American flag themed mason jars.
  1. Wash and dry some old mason jars.
  2. Paint the mason jars with stripes and red, white, and blue and let dry.
  3. Add some star stickers.
  4. Tie some twine around the top of the mason jars.
  5. Filled with flowers, small flags, plastic silverware, sparklers, etc.

2. Patriotic Paper Lanterns

Easy to make, these paper lanterns are colorful, decorative, and ready to hang around your porch, patio, or deck.

  1. Take a medium size sheet of red or blue construction paper and fold it in half lengthwise.
  2. Cut even slits across the fold, leaving 1 inch uncut at one edge.
  3. Unfold the sheet of paper and roll it into a tube. (The top is the uncut side.)
  4. Glue or tape the two edges of the tube together.
  5. Cut a strip of paper and glue it on top as a handle.
  6. Decorate your paper lantern with stars, stickers, or glitter.
  7. Hang several paper lanterns together on a string.

3. Tie-Dye Patriotic T-Shirts

Tie-dye T-shirts are fun to make and can be proudly worn all summer! Here’s how you do it:

A red, white, and blue tie-dyed shirt with supplies around it.
  1. Use a plain, white T-shirt
  2. Twist and tie the T-shirt in various ways, securing it with rubber bands.
  3. Apply red and blue tie-dye paint to the T-shirt in whatever pattern you like. Remember to wear gloves!
  4. Leave the T-shirt in a plastic bag for several hours.
  5. Rinse your T-shirt, let it dry, and wear it proudly!

4. American Star Garland

Another easy to make DIY 4th of July decoration, this star garland will look beautiful on the fence, doorway, or wherever! Follow the instructions below to make yours:

  1. Using red, white, and blue construction paper, cut out several stars from each color.
  2. Using a hole punch, punch a hole at the top of each star.
  3. String the stars together with string, twine, or ribbon.
  4. Hang wherever you need a burst of patriotic color

5. Firework Painted Paper Plates

Your children will love this one! Follow the instructions below for this fun, and easy decoration.

  1. Grab a piece of white construction paper.
  2. Pour some red and blue paint into 2 small plastic cups.
  3. Dip a plastic fork into the red paint.
  4. Press the fork onto the construction paper several times in a circular pattern.
  5. Do that again with blue paint for a “firework” effect.
  6. If you (or the kids) like, add some glitter while the paint is still wet.
  7. Hang your firework painted paper plates around the house!

6. Popsicle Stick American Flags

An American flag made out of popsicle sticks.

Another DIY decoration the kids will love making! These popsicle stick flags can be used as party favors and table decorations.

  1. Using Elmers glue, glue 5 or 6 popsicle sticks together side-by-side to make a rectangle shape.
  2. Paint the top left corner of the rectangle blue.
  3. Paint the rest of the sticks red and white to match the American flag.
  4. After the paint dries, use small star stickers on the blue area.
  5. When everything is dry, attach a stick to the back of your “flag”. This can be used as a handle or to stick the flag into a cupcake, or one of your mason jar centerpieces

7. America-Themed Windsocks

You can use these windsocks to decorate your porch or hang in your trees. Follow the instructions below to make a few of them:

  1. Start with an empty toilet paper roll.
  2. Paint the roll red, white, or blue and let it dry.
  3. Cut long strips of red, white, and blue ribbon.
  4. Glue or tape the ribbons to the bottom of your painted toilet paper roll.
  5. Punch two holes at the top of the roll and add a string.
  6. Hang your patriotic windsock around the outside of your home.

Quick Independence Day Decorating Tips

  • Keep Things Simple– Don’t over-decorate or make things too ornate. Keep things simple and your kids will stay engaged.
  • Add Some Lights– If you have glow sticks or string lights, you can take your 4th of July party to the next level!
  • Use Things You Already have at Home– To save more money, use what you have at home already. Leftover craft supplies, old clothing, etc.
  • Get the Whole Fam Together to Make Your Decorations– The 4th of July is a very family oriented holiday. With that in mind, be sure to get the entire family together to make your DIY 4th of July decorations!

Store Your Things with NSA Storage this Summer

We hope the instructions and information provided have given you some patriotic food for thought! Making your own 4th of July decorations is fun, easy, and patriotic, no doubt about it!

If you need to rent a storage unit during your summer celebrations, NSA Storage has you covered! You can store party supplies, outdoor summer furniture, and much more in one of our safe, secure storage units. Until then, from everyone here at NSA Storage, we wish you a happy, fun, and safe Independence Day! 

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How to Respectfully Celebrate Memorial Day with Family https://www.nsastorage.com/blog/how-to-respectfully-celebrate-memorial-day-with-family/ Wed, 21 May 2025 20:18:53 +0000 https://www.nsastorage.com/blog/?p=852 Table of Contents: For many Americans, Memorial Day is the unofficial start of summer, and the outdoor activities and fun the season brings. The truth is, the holiday wasn’t originally about summer at all. Instead, it was established as a day to honor the men and women of our armed forces who gave the ultimate

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For many Americans, Memorial Day is the unofficial start of summer, and the outdoor activities and fun the season brings. The truth is, the holiday wasn’t originally about summer at all. Instead, it was established as a day to honor the men and women of our armed forces who gave the ultimate sacrifice in service of our great country.

A backyard barbeque, a day at the beach, or a weekend of camping are fun ways to start off the summer season. While you’re enjoying time with family, though, it’s important to also reflect on the meaning of the day, and celebrate it respectfully with friends and family. 

If you’re eager to do just that, and looking for family-friendly ideas that are joyful as well as respectful, read on. The info below from NSA Storage will give you plenty of ideas as well as some valuable insights into the reasons why we celebrate Memorial Day!

Why Do We Celebrate Memorial Day?

The Civil War in America was one of our countries’ darkest times and saw the loss of over 620,000 lives. Memorial Day was created as a way to unite the country in our shared grief and respect the lives of soldiers lost on both sides. Soon after the war ended, communities across the United States began holding tributes to honor their fallen brothers and sisters. 

A row of gravestones with flags in front of them on Memorial Day.

The first official Memorial Day took place on May 30, 1868. Major General John Logan, the commander-in-chief of the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR), a recently-formed Union veterans’ group, organized the first holiday. 

May 30th was the original date chosen because it didn’t fall on the anniversary of any specific Civil War battle. That allowed the entire country to participate in the day without favoritism towards either side. Plus, the end of May is the perfect time to gather flowers, which made it easier for people to decorate graves of their loved ones.

Memorial Day was actually called “Decoration Day” originally. That was because people had a tradition of decorating the graves of soldiers with wreaths, flags, and flowers. The name “Memorial Day”, while used occasionally before then, became more widely used after World War I. That was when it was expanded to honor American military personnel from all wars, not just the Civil War.

Memorial Day was officially moved to the last Monday in May to create a 3-day weekend for federal employees. That was in 1968 when Congress passed the uniform Monday Holiday Act. The act took effect in 1971, the same year Memorial Day was declared a federal holiday.

Helpful Ways to Honor Our Veterans

Memorial Day was created to honor those military personnel who had fallen in battle. A great way to show respect for their sacrifice is to give support and appreciation to living veterans. Below are several helpful ways you can honor the veterans living in your community.

Volunteer– In most towns there are plenty of events organized to help veterans. Cleaning up a veteran’s home, for example, or helping to keep a cemetery plot looking beautiful. Volunteering at a soup kitchen or a shelter will also, inevitably, mean that you help some veterans.

Donate to Military Charities– There are several excellent charities that support the families of soldiers who have fallen. Donating to these charities will definitely help, including:

  • TAPS (Tragedy assistance program for survivors)
  • Wounded Warrior Project
  • Fisher House Foundation

Share Stories– If you’ve got relatives who served and lost their lives, share their stories with friends and family. Take a look at their old photos together, for example, and any medals they might have received. Doing this can help the younger members of your family to appreciate the sacrifices made by so many.

Respectful Memorial Day Celebration Tips

Trust us, nobody is saying that Memorial Day weekend can’t be full of fun, frolic, and fantastic food. The only thing to keep in mind is that the weekend has a much deeper meaning. Because of that, respect is definitely recommended. Below are several ways you can celebrate and be respectful at the same time:

Put Up a Memorial Wall– No, this doesn’t have to be a huge wall. Something small that you can use to hang photos, flags, metals and so forth, will do just fine. You can even use your fence, or put everything on a special table reserved for your revered service members.

Host a Patriotic Barbecue– These days it’s easy to find patriotic decorations in red, white, and blue. You can also make traditional picnic foods and decorate them with those colors. Playing patriotic songs throughout the afternoon is also a great idea and will keep your fallen service members top-of-mind.

Easy Ways to Teach Kids Why We Celebrate Memorial Day

Most children look at Memorial Day as a long weekend that will be full of fun and food. It can be easy and fun to teach your kids the real reason why we celebrate. Here are a few easy, simple methods:

  • Let your kids help you with meaningful Memorial Day activities. Writing letters, placing flags, decorating gravesites, etc.
  • Encourage your kids to ask questions about why we celebrate Memorial Day and be as open as possible with your answers.
  • For younger children, picture books that explain the holiday can be very helpful.
  • The Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) has a national Memorial Day concert. You can watch as a family and let the kids know what the day means.

Family-Friendly Memorial Day Activities to Enjoy

Fun activities that also honor the reason behind the Memorial Day holiday are a great idea. Below are several you can enjoy with everyone in your family:

A cake decorated with strawberries and blueberries to look like the American Flag.

Bake Some Patriotic Treats– You and your kids can have some fun in the kitchen decorating cupcakes and cookies with red, white, and blue frosting! While you’re having fun, you’ll also be able to teach them about the significance of Memorial Day and why we celebrate.

Fly the American Flag in Your Yard– According to tradition, the flag should be flown at half staff until 12 o’clock noon. After that, raise it to full-staff for the rest of the day. 

Watch a Patriotic Movie Together– There are many films that honor the experiences of our military service members. Just keep in mind that some may not be appropriate for younger kids. Screen your options in advance to make sure that they’re okay for family viewing.

Go to a Memorial Day Ceremony in Your Neighborhood– Most communities in America host Memorial Day events at parks and cemeteries. Going as a family can help teach your kids the true meaning of the day. If you like, you can bring some flowers or small flags to place on the graves of the veterans.

Visit the grave of a family member– If you have a family member who was a veteran or lost their life in active duty, visiting their resting place on Memorial Day can be a good way to honor them. Although it can be sad or somber, it’s important to show kids that fallen family members and their sacrifice are not forgotten. Children can contribute by bringing flowers, flags, or other decorations to place at the gravesite. If the marker is worse for wear, you can also bring supplies to clean it so that you further preserve your loved one’s memory.

Celebrate with Fun and Respect

Yes, Memorial Day weekend can, and should, be a lot of fun. After all, it is the start of the summer season. However, Memorial Day is also a time to remember our fallen service members and to also honor those still with us with gratitude and respect. The good news is that you can enjoy your weekend while still respecting our military heroes. By attending ceremonies, hosting thoughtful events, visiting with veterans, and volunteering, you and your family can celebrate Memorial Day with both fun and respect.

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Must-have Items for Memorial Day Weekend https://www.nsastorage.com/blog/must-have-items-for-memorial-day-weekend/ Fri, 16 May 2025 20:45:40 +0000 https://www.nsastorage.com/blog/?p=843 Table of Contents: Memorial Day weekend is one of America’s favorite holidays. That’s because it’s the unofficial start of summer, when barbecues, beach days, and fun in the sun get started! Whatever your plans, whether a backyard bash, beach trip, or boating on the lake, having the right items is imperative. These must-have “ingredients”, from

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Memorial Day weekend is one of America’s favorite holidays. That’s because it’s the unofficial start of summer, when barbecues, beach days, and fun in the sun get started! Whatever your plans, whether a backyard bash, beach trip, or boating on the lake, having the right items is imperative. These must-have “ingredients”, from flip-flops to fans and much more, can turn your Memorial Day from OK into amazing!

If you’re not sure what you need, or what to take out of storage, you’re in luck. The storage specialists at NSA Storage put together this guide to get you going! Read on to discover what must-have items you need and ensure a great Memorial Day Weekend.

Make Memorial Day Weekend One to Remember

Many of the things you need to celebrate Memorial Day might be overwintering in storage. That means digging them out, whether they’re in the basement, garage, attic, or a storage unit you’ve rented. Some of the most important items you’ll need to celebrate the weekend include:

1. Grilling Supplies

A patio with a grill and hotdogs on patriotic-themed plates.
  • A fresh propane tank or bag of charcoal
  • Grilling tongs
  • Spatulas
  • A meat thermometer
  • Beer

2. Patriotic Decor

  • American flags
  • Paper goods in patriotic colors
  • Festive light strings
  • Banners and tablecloths

3. Outdoor Furniture

  • Comfortable folding chairs
  • Picnic tables and benches
  • Umbrellas
  • Hammocks

4. Picnic and Party Gear

  • Garden toys like Slip & Slides, Cornhole, and Frisbees
  • Coolers (with plenty of ice)
  • Plastic utensils
  • Serving trays
  • Lawn chairs or blankets
  • Bluetooth speaker for music
  • Sunscreen
  • Bug Spray

5. A First Aid Kit

Even a small first aid kit is better than none. Things happen when you’re outside having fun, especially with kids, and it’s best to be prepared for scrapes, cuts, or burns. Your first aid kit should have things like:

  • bandages
  • topical antibiotic ointment
  • anti-itch ointment
  • oral allergy medication
  • pain reliever medication
  • sunburn gel

More Items to Take out of Storage for Memorial Day Weekend

Memorial Day weekend is the perfect time to start preparing for outdoor fun in the sun. The weather is typically a bit cooler and there are fewer bugs, making your task a little easier.

A cornhole board with red and blue bags on it.

Below is a list of the things you want to retrieve from your storage unit, garage, or attic before the weekend gets underway. Some might need to be repaired or cleaned, so be sure to get started a little ahead of time.

  • Patio Furniture- Clean whatever needs to be cleaned and inspect your furniture for any damage or rust. Set up everything in your yard before your party starts.
  • Summer Clothing- Time to get all of your chic summer clothing out of storage and ready for the season.
  • Lawn Games- From horseshoes to frisbees, bocce ball, croquet, cornhole and more. Lawn games can turn an ordinary party into something your friends and family will not soon forget!
  • Pool Toys- Blow up animals, pool noodles, rafts, etc. If you have a pool, make sure all of these toys and other items are ready to go!
  • Camping Gear- Tents, sleeping bags, camping grills, blowup mattresses and much more. Be sure to check and make sure that everything is in working condition before you head out into the woods!
  • Sun Shade- You’ll need your umbrellas, sunshades, and awnings so that your friends and family don’t bake in the sun.
  • Bikes- Memorial day is the start of the biking season! Get yours ready ahead of time so that your riding is stress-free and fun.
  • Garden and Lawn Tools- If you’re a green thumb type of guy or gal, time to get out your gardening and lawn tools.
  • Beach Gear- Blankets, coolers and everything else you need to have fun at the shore.

Store Your Winter Gear with NSA Storage

More than just a typical three-day weekend, Memorial Day is a time for renewal, reflection, and summertime preparation. We hope that this guide has given you the info you needed to make yours a complete success!

Need a storage unit to store your winter gear? If yes, NSA Storage is here to help! We offer safe, clean, and secure storage units across the United States, ready to store almost anything.That includes summer or winter gear, clothing, furniture, decorations, and much more!

Reserve a storage unit online today so that it’s ready when you arrive. Don’t forget to check for holiday deals on our storage units. NSA Storage wishes you a Memorial Day weekend that’s fun, exciting, and memorable!

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Memorial Day Weekend Travel Tips https://www.nsastorage.com/blog/memorial-day-weekend-travel-tips/ Wed, 14 May 2025 20:37:34 +0000 https://www.nsastorage.com/blog/?p=815 Table of Contents: Lots of families will be travelling on Memorial Day Weekend. What makes this 3-day weekend special, though, is that it marks the unofficial start of summer and outdoor fun in the sun! To get that sun and fun, you’ll need to survive the drive (or the flight) to get there. When you

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Lots of families will be travelling on Memorial Day Weekend. What makes this 3-day weekend special, though, is that it marks the unofficial start of summer and outdoor fun in the sun! To get that sun and fun, you’ll need to survive the drive (or the flight) to get there. When you consider that there will be millions of other families doing the same thing, some travel tips might be helpful. That way, you’ll have a wonderful time with a lot less traffic, delays, and frustration.

To help make your Memorial Day more enjoyable and less aggravating, NSA Storage has the best travel tips and hacks below! Use them to navigate safely to the destination of your choice and enjoy some much-needed summertime fun.

7 Travel Tips for Driving on Memorial Day Weekend

Man using a GPS navigator while driving.

Quite a few more people drive on Memorial Day weekend than fly. If that’s you, the travel tips below will help you to stay safe and enjoy the road trip:

1. Leave Early or (or Late) to Avoid Heavy Traffic

One of the biggest problems when driving on Memorial Day weekend is heavy traffic. That typically occurs on Friday afternoon and Monday evening, when it seems like the whole world is trying to get out of town. In other words, if you want to avoid heavy traffic, leave earlier or later on Friday and Monday. It could save you hours spent sitting in traffic.

2. Have Your Car Serviced Before Leaving

There’s nothing worse than breaking down on the side of the road on your way to a weekend of fun. To prevent that disaster, be sure to have your car serviced before leaving. That’s especially true if you’re going to be traveling over 50 miles.

3. Keep an Emergency Kit in Your Car

Just in case, pack some jumper cables, a flashlight, bottled water, and snacks into a small box or container. A first aid kit along with it is also a great idea, just in case. Toss it all in the trunk and feel better knowing you’re well prepared.

4. Plan Your Route

Today it’s much easier than it used to be to find your way to a destination, even for the first time. (Thank you, GPS!) Even so, planning your route ahead of time is a good idea. This could give you a better route to avoid traffic and road closures, which could save you oodles of time.

5. Share the Driving Duties

If you’re driving with other adults who have drivers licenses, be sure to share the driving duties. Fact is, it’s unfair and unsafe to expect one person to do all of the driving. If that’s you, speak up and let others know that you’d like some help behind the wheel.

6. Take a Break Every 2 Hours

Long drives can be grueling but they become even worse when you don’t take a break every now and then. We recommend taking one every two hours to get a snack, stretch, and stay alert. Remember: tired driving is dangerous driving.

7. Use Cruise Control when Possible

If you have cruise control count yourself lucky because it’s very helpful on long drives! It helps save gas, for example, and keep your leg muscles from cramping, among other things. Be sure to stay alert when using it, though.

7 Travel Tips for Flying on Memorial Day Weekend

A busy, crowded airport.

There’s no denying that flying, no matter when you do it, can be stressful. On Memorial Day weekend, however, airports are usually packed, and long lines are everywhere. Flights are often delayed also, which makes proper planning a must. The tips and hacks below will help:

1. Only Use a Carry-On Bag

Having to check luggage when flying on a busy weekend like Memorial Day weekend is never a good idea. It holds you up at best, and you could lose all your stuff at worst. Better to only use a carry-on bag, especially if you’re only going away for three days.

2. Charge Your Devices Ahead of Time

Just like at home, you’ll need your phone and possibly your laptop while traveling. To make sure they don’t die while you’re in transit, be sure to charge them fully before you leave. Also, if you have one, bring a portable charger.

3. Get CLEAR or TSA PreCheck

Security lines on Memorial Day weekend can be ridiculous at the airport. To avoid them and save a lot of time, sign up for TSA PreCheck or CLEAR before you go. You’ll get through security much faster.

4. Bring Snacks

Unless you’ve never traveled before, you know that airport food prices are through the roof. To save money, and eat better food, bring your own snacks. You’ll not only save cash but a lot of time in lines. Plus, you’ll eat the snacks you like rather than having to settle for what’s at the airport.

5. Use a Mobile Boarding Pass

One of the best ways to avoid standing in line at the airport is to use a mobile boarding pass. You can download it before going to the airport and, in most cases, skip the check-in lines completely!

6. Book Very Early Flights

The earlier the flight, the less likely it will be delayed. You’ll also have much shorter lines at security and, if something goes wrong, have time to fix it.

7. Look Up a Map of the Airport

If you’re using an airport you haven’t been to before, look up a map of it online. That way you’ll know where the main terminals are and where you need to be when you get there.

Things to Pack for the Best Memorial Day Weekend

Below are a few items that almost everyone will need to enjoy Memorial Day weekend. Be sure to get them ready ahead of time so that you don’t forget anything when it’s time to leave.

  • Comfortable walking or hiking shoes
  • Reusable water bottle
  • Travel pillow
  • Phone chargers
  • Sunglasses and sunscreen
  • Swimwear
  • First aid kit
  • Snacks and drinks
  • Weather appropriate clothing

If you’re traveling with kids or pets, the next few items should definitely be on your list:

  • Small toys, a tablet, and coloring books
  • Extra snacks (for the kids and/or the pets)
  • Wet wipes
  • Your pet’s favorite bed
  • Pet medications
  • A leash or collar
  • Pet food

Keep Your Summer Organized with NSA Storage

Like Christmas and Thanksgiving, Memorial Day weekend is one of the busiest travel times of the year. Whether you’re flying, driving or staying home, we hope the travel tips above help you enjoy the holiday!

If you have summertime items like clothing and sports gear in storage, now is the time to take them out! At NSA Storage, we help people store their summer and winter items when they aren’t needed. If you need to rent a storage unit, you can reserve one online and it will be ready when you arrive. Until then, we hope that your Memorial Day weekend is magical and memorable!

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