Christmas is over. All gifts have been unwrapped. Any leftover turkey has finally been eaten, and, thankfully, your in-laws have gone home. A sad time for many, but it is also the right time to think about getting ready for next year. You may not need to start meal prepping or making gift lists (although that is not a bad idea, see our article on 12 Top Tips for Planning Ahead at Christmas), but there is one essential task you should do. Ensuring you have your artificial Christmas tree packed away and stored safely will save you many headaches next year. You may have always wondered how to store an artificial Christmas tree, this article will help you find the answer.
If you want your artificial Christmas tree to have a lower carbon footprint than a real tree, you’ll need to use it for at least ten years. For it to last this long, you’re going to need to take care of it! How you choose to store your tree will have a significant impact on how long it lasts. You can take a few simple steps to ensure your tree does not begin to fall apart after a few years. They will also help it look its best each time you take it out of storage.
Step 1: Remove all lights and decorations
This might sound incredibly obvious, but it sometimes pays to be specific! As you will do for your tree shortly, this the time to check your lights and decorations for any damage. Better to do this now and not in a years’ time! If possible, replace any defective light bulbs and then pack them into a waterproof container. If your tree comes pre-lit (with the lights built into the branches), leave them in place.
For any baubles, we recommend carefully wrapping them in tissue paper. We store them in a series of small boxes and then place these into a larger container. Trying to put all of them into a single large box will risk damaging them because of the weight placed on those at the bottom. Of course, if you only have a few, then this is not an issue!
Step 2: Disassemble and clean your tree
Once you have disassembled the tree, now is an excellent time to give it a quick clean. You can either use a damp cloth or gently use a vacuum cleaner with a soft dusting attachment. If necessary, wait for the tree to dry. It should not be wet, but it might be a little damp if you have wiped it down using a cloth.
While you are cleaning, also inspect the tree for any damage. A small fraying edge on a branch may result in it falling apart if you don’t take action now. Make any necessary repairs before moving on to the next stage.
Step 3: Label the branches
Now is also a perfect time to ensure each part of the tree is labeled correctly. Most trees come with their branches pre-labeled, but this will gradually start to fade or fall off over the years. If this happens, you can usually work out where each branch is supposed to go via a process of elimination. If you fancy doing that while your children are foaming at the mouth with excitement, then good luck to you! For us, we prefer to ensure everything is correctly labeled before we pack away the tree.
If you notice that the labels are no longer in good shape, you’ll need some masking tape and a marker pen to create new ones. Masking tape works well as it comes off easily and is easy to write on. However, try and place the label at the branch’s base rather than on any of its leaves. Also, make sure you write on the tape before you try and stick it anywhere.
Step 4: Pack tree away
Before you start to pack your tree away, the first thing to consider is, is it bulky and heavy? The last thing you want is to pack everything away nicely and securely, only to find you can’t lift it or that the box is too big to go through your loft hatch. Plan ahead and pack it away in situ if necessary.
Next, you’ll need to gently compress the branches and place them into the bag or box for storage. Here at Yuletide Wishes, we like to wrap them in an old sheet to help us do this. The sheet will also add another layer of protection from dust and dirt. Try and store similar sized branches together. Once you have wrapped all the branches (use more than one sheet if needed), secure everything with some string or a ribbon.
Step 5: Storing it safely
Finally, you’ll need to consider what you will use to store your tree. Most people tend to keep it in its original packaging (usually a cardboard box). Boxes are okay, as long as you are confident it will not get damp or be exposed to any pests such as rodents. However, you’ll also probably struggle to get everything to fit back in the box again!
We prefer to use a bag or box designed to keep your tree safe rather than anything made of cardboard. Not only are they waterproof, but most are a less attractive target for pests. They are also relatively cheap (although you’ll have to pay more depending on the size of your tree).
Add your pre-wrapped bundles of branches to your bag or box, and you are ready to put it away. Where you store your tree should be somewhere dry. A cupboard, loft, or basement are ideal as long as they do not get too hot or too cold throughout the year. If you can, keep it off the floor, store the bag or box horizontally, and don’t put anything on top of it.
And finally, you are done. Hopefully this article helped you answer the question how to store an artificial Christmas tree. The only thing left for you to do now is relax and start looking forward to next Christmas!