Simple, safe Christmas ornament storage tips

It’s that time again!  Time to dig through all of the Christmas ornaments in storage and see which ones are broken, faded or missing.  It’s always such a shame to find out that your precious collectibles have been compromised in the storage process.

This year, Steve Stanton, owner of Ultimate Christmas, gives some suggestions for the safest storage of precious Christmas ornaments and decorations. 

“Obviously, in my line of business, I’ve seen all types of ornaments and all types of ornament disasters,” said Stanton.  “I’m always asked about the safest way to store ornaments.  It’s actually a pretty simple process.”

1. Start with the right size of storage solution.  No matter how big or small, it’s crucial to find a storage box that’s right for your collection. 

“We know that every ornament collector has a different-sized collection,” said Stanton.  As a result, we made sure that the Christmas ornament storage boxes at Ultimate Christmas vary in size.  The largest boxes hold nearly 80 ornaments, while the smaller boxes are perfect for smaller and starting collections.  Individual ornaments also vary greatly in size and it’s important to have a good idea of whether you own more large ornaments or if they tend to be smaller, that’s why we offer 3”, 4”, 5” and 6” trays with individual cubbies that can be further customized to suit your needs.”  

2.  Use only acid-free packing materials for ornament storage.   No plastic or newspapers, please!

“Storing ornaments in plastic bins can trap moisture in the box and can damage the ornament.  Wrapping the ornaments in newspaper can cause acid to decay the paint on the ornament; silvered paints are especially susceptible.  Acid-free storage is by far the safest storage for hand-blown glass ornaments,” said Stanton.  “We’re proud that Ultimate Christmas is the only company offering acid-free Christmas ornament storage boxes.”

3.  Store the ornaments in a clean, dry area.  This goes without saying.

“Keep all ornaments away from moisture and make sure that no dirt, cobwebs or other contaminants get packed away with the ornaments.   The cleaner the ornaments are when they’re stored, the cleaner and nicer the ornaments will look when they are taken out of storage next Christmas.  A light dusting is fine.” said Stanton.

4.  Pack each ornament tightly.  It’s best if the ornaments don’t move, even when the box is moved.

“Make sure to nestle your ornaments in either acid-free tissue or shredded paper,” said Stanton.  “Remember that acid-free packing paper is key – any other type of paper can actually cause more damage to the ornament.  I prefer to use shredded acid-free paper for ornaments.  It’s easier to mold around the individual ornaments creating a safe little nest.”

5.  Write the history of each ornament before you put it away at the end of the season.  Keeping your ornament’s history organized will enhance the enjoyment and meaning of each ornament for years.

“This isn’t a safety tip for ornaments, but it’s definitely a best practices tip,” Stanton said.  Recording the history of the ornaments will let future generations understand the history of the ornaments and why they are important in your family’s background.  It’s also fun to re-read the history of the ornament aloud each year when decorating the tree with your family. 

Overall, it’s a fairly easy process to store ornaments safely and securely.  Whether you have a variety of new and vintage ornaments, or you collect only Hallmark or Radko ornaments, following a few simple steps will allow you to enjoy your ornaments for many, many years to come.  

For more information about Ultimate Christmas, or to place an order, please see http://www.ultimatechristmas.com/.

Article and images used with permission from UltimateChristmas.com