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