| Proper Christmas ornament storage will keep | | | | cardboard or plastic containers. Some are |
| your beautiful ornaments unmarred for next | | | | specifically designed to store ornaments and |
| year and decades to follow. Antique glass | | | | have appropriately-sized compartments. |
| ornaments are quite fragile. It's surprising | | | | Plastic boxes are sturdier than cardboard |
| that some have remained unbroken for a | | | | boxes, but the completely airless space they |
| century! Modern ornaments, especially the | | | | create is not necessarily suitable for |
| ones made of treated glass, are stronger -- | | | | valuable or antique ornaments. Special |
| but they are still susceptible to damage. | | | | acid-free cardboard containers are the best |
| Proper storage and handling will preserve | | | | choice for these valuables. |
| these beautiful ornaments for future | | | | |
| generations to enjoy. | | | | Each piece should be individually wrapped |
| | | | before being placed in a Christmas ornament |
| Handling Glass Ornaments | | | | storage container. Use acid-free tissue |
| | | | paper, or acid-free paper towels (the kind |
| Glass decorations must be handled carefully | | | | sold as microwavable). Newspaper is not a |
| and with due caution. When they are removed | | | | good choice; the chemicals in the print -- |
| from storage, work on a padded surface as you | | | | and in the paper too -- can harm the finish |
| remove their wrappings. Place a padded tree | | | | on the decoration. |
| skirt under the tree to soften the impact, in | | | | |
| case a glass ball falls from the tree. | | | | Place bubble wrap or crumpled paper towels in |
| | | | the bottom of the Christmas ornament storage |
| An old-fashioned Christmas tree fence is | | | | container before you put any wrapped |
| useful to keep young children and pets away | | | | decorations in it. If the box doesn't |
| from the ornaments. If you don't have a | | | | include sections, use extra tissue between |
| fence, hang the delicate glass balls near the | | | | decorations to provide more protection. Add |
| top of the tree, and put unbreakable spheres | | | | a last layer on top of the ornaments before |
| on low branches. It is helpful to spray a | | | | fastening the lid. |
| pet repellent under the tree. | | | | |
| | | | Place some silica gel desiccant in every |
| If your ornaments are displayed for over two | | | | container to remove dampness. You can buy it |
| weeks, position them away from sunlight. | | | | at craft stores. |
| Direct daylight can cause the paint to fade. | | | | |
| | | | For more security, store large glass |
| Cleaning | | | | decorations separately from little ones, and |
| | | | glass ornaments apart from wooden or metal |
| The colors painted on antique ornaments were | | | | ones. Mark all your Christmas ornament |
| generally favorite family recipes. These | | | | storage boxes plainly, so that you won't have |
| were not very durable. Age has made them yet | | | | to unpack all of them if you want a |
| more fragile. Most are water-soluble, so | | | | particular ornament later in the year. |
| they should never be washed. Avoid glass | | | | |
| cleaners and other chemical solutions as | | | | Even with all this padding, ornaments can |
| well. Some of the modern lacquers are also | | | | still be injured by extreme temperatures and |
| water-based and will last longer if the same | | | | or humidity levels. These elements can cause |
| precautions are followed. | | | | stress fractures eventually. Unheated attics |
| | | | and cellars are poor locations for Christmas |
| Gently flick glass ornaments with a feather | | | | ornament storage. Keep ornaments in a closet |
| duster to clean them. Ostrich-feather | | | | instead. |
| dusters are especially effective. | | | | |
| | | | You only need is some time and some thought |
| Storage | | | | to make your ornaments undamaged. Good |
| | | | Christmas ornament storage isn't hard, and it |
| Strong Christmas ornament storage boxes with | | | | will preserve these fragile treasures for |
| close-fitting lids are needed to store | | | | generations. |
| ornaments. Many manufacturers produce | | | | |