It’s that time of year when people start transforming their homes into a winter wonderland! Trees, lights, ornaments, wreaths, and festive decorations are being placed throughout your home and this can lead to one problem come the end of December…how to store all of these festive decorations. Fortunately, these helpful tips will keep your decorations safe and make sure it is all ready to be reassembled again next year.

Storing Christmas Trees

Artificial trees certainly have their advantages…they are beautiful, reusable, and mess-free!  However, they can be a bit cumbersome and will quickly lose their beauty if not stored properly.  Although the box your artificial tree came in may seem like the perfect option for repacking it, the truth is this isn’t really the best way to preserve your tree.  Those cardboard boxes begin to tear and deteriorate over time, offering little protection for your tree.  Instead, purchase a Christmas tree box or bag that is designed to preserve your artificial tree year after year.  This will help keep your tree safe from insect infestation and will also help to preserve its shape during storage.

 

Storing Ornaments

We have all experienced the frustration of opening our ornament boxes only to find that many of our favorite ornaments have gotten chipped or broken while in storage.  If possible, try to keep the original packaging that fine ornaments come in.  For other fragile ornaments, your best bet is to wrap each ornament in a resealable sandwich bag and then store it in a well-padded box.  A great option for ornament storage is using a partitioned cardboard wine box for standard sized ornaments.  Stuff all of the nooks and crannies with tissue paper or newspaper.  Egg cartons make a great storage option for your tiny ornaments.  Another good storage tip is to make sure all of your fragile ornaments are placed at the top of each box with the less fragile ones underneath.

 

Storing Lights

Nothing is more frustrating than opening a box only to find a giant ball of tangled lights.  Do away with this tangled mess by storing them properly with this helpful tip.  Get a few pieces of heavy cardboard and cut them into a rectangle that is about 12 inches by 6 inches.  With a pair of scissors, cut a notch into one end so you can hook one end of the lights into the notch.  Then, carefully wrap the lights around the cardboard.  When you are done, cut another notch into the other side to secure the other end of the light string.  Wrap the cardboard with tissue paper or bubble wrap to keep your bulbs from breaking. NOTE: Before storing your lights, always check for missing or broken bulbs and dispose of any lights that are not working properly.   

 

Storing Wreaths

Wreaths make a lovely holiday decoration for your home but oftentimes they end up looker flatter rather than fuller.  Store your wreaths properly to ensure they keep their shape for next year.  One method for storing wreaths is to hang them.  Start by attaching each wreath to a wire hanger using florist wire or twist ties.  Next, cover the wreath and hanger in plastic to protect it from dust.  Hang in a closet, basement, or attic where it can remain until next year.  Another method for storing wreaths is to store them in a wreath box or hat box, but make sure is large enough to accommodate the wreath without smashing it.

 

As with all of your holiday decorations, proper storage is the key to preserving your decorations year after year.  Even with proper storage, your holiday decorations will undoubtedly take up a great deal of space in your home or attic.  Consider renting a storage unit where your items will remain safe, secure, and neatly organized without cluttering up your home and attic.