Christmas is my favorite time of year, and I love all the decorations that we’ve accumulated through the years. It is amazing to me so many have survived our many moves and sometimes haphazard storage solutions. Whatever was handy was my motto! Big mistake! I learned my lesson when an heirloom wreath was vandalized by mice.
My mother’s nut and pine cone wreath was particularly special after her death. I remember the love, time, energy, and yes, sweat she put into it. It was her very first and her last. Imagine my horror when I opened the plastic garbage bag only to discover every nut had been torn open leaving gaping holes all over the wreath. Fortunately a little creativity salvaged the mess. I simply added a tiny mouse amidst the pine cones after removing the worst of the nut shells.
I always thought it was so convenient to use plastic bags and cardboard boxes to hold my collectible ornaments and Christmas treasures. Being short of money after the holidays, I didn’t see the need in purchasing red and green plastic storage bins, or those fancy divider boxes made especially for ornaments.
After my horrible experience with insect and mice invasions, I realized it was better to spend a little extra for effective Christmas storage solutions. Cardboard boxes just aren’t good enough I discovered after our basement flooded. Mold and moisture ruined cardboard boxes that didn’t even get wet.
Experience has taught me the best storage solution is plastic storage boxes in a variety of sizes and shapes. I prefer the sturdy Sterilite version with stackable lids and easy grip handles. These are sturdy enough to protect against breakage. Since they all look alike, be sure to label your storage containers with a permanent marker. Even placing an inventory sheet on top helps identify the contents more easily.
Collectible ornaments are best stored in their original boxes. Before storing, ornaments should be lightly dusted and ornament hooks removed to prevent scratching. Ornaments without a box should be packed in an acid-free ornament box separated by dividers. The Ultimate Christmas Storage shop carries acid-free cardboard boxes and archival supplies. One of the most useful items is a vinyl storage bag that will hold their ornament boxes.
Beautiful silk flower Christmas arrangements provide a real challenge. Maintain the freshness and beauty of your arrangements by gently cleaning off excess dust with a soft brush or blow dryer. Consult your florist for preservation products to help you preserve your silk flowers. Carefully place your floral arrangement in a slightly taller storage tote. Make sure the lid does not press down on the arrangement. Storage totes may hold one or two arrangements depending on their size. Silk flower arrangements stay dust-free and remain uncrushed until ready to use the next year.
Wrapping paper, ribbons, and bows store conveniently in Rubbermaid’s Vertical Wrap and Craft Storage 2202CLR container. The container is about thirty-six inches wide by eighteen inches tall and will hold about twenty to twenty-five rolls of paper. The top compartment is one inch deep, easily holding gift labels and bows. This type of container ensures that your gift wrapping supplies are kept together and are easy to locate when needed.
Storing Christmas trees requires a little ingenuity. Vinyl garbage cans will hold any tall or awkwardly shaped Christmas decoration, including small table top trees. Rubbermaid makes a wonderful vinyl bag and even a rolling bag suitable for lawn ornaments and your beautiful Christmas tree. Be sure to remove icicles and stray ornament hooks from the branches. Now your lovely tree will be kept dry and dust free until next Christmas.
Rubbermaid also offers wide plastic boxes designed for storing wreaths. Before storing, wrap your wreath carefully in acid-free tissue before placing in the wreath storage container. Or place your tissue wrapped wreath in an acid-free box. Then place the acid-free box in a vinyl storage bag. It’s best to store your wreath flat.
Christmas linens should be laundered or dry cleaned according to manufacturer’s directions before storage. Store your linens in an acid-free, sulphur-free, and lignin-free box with acid-free tissue inserted between cloth layers. Place boxes in a plastic tote. For those vintage, heirloom quality tablecloths made of natural fibers, dry clean and fold with acid-free tissue between layers. Place in a cloth garment bag rather than plastic or cardboard.
Be sure to replace any burned out bulbs on your Christmas lights before storing and while still on the tree. Lights can be stored easily on an electric cord reel. Just loosely roll light strings around the reel for easy storage. Store reels upright in a plastic storage tote. As a safety precaution and to prevent battery leakage, remove batteries from candles and other electronic decorations before storing in a moisture proof storage container.
Consider keeping an inventory of your collectibles and descriptions for insurance purposes. Create a video narrative describing each collectible and its history for your family memoirs. Remember proper care and storage of your Christmas treasures will ensure they last a lifetime.