Laying out a significant amount of cash for an artificial Christmas tree makes it an investment. And we should take care of our investments. However, most artificial Christmas tree owners are ignorant of the proper storage for their tree. The artificial tree is in storage for eleven months, and dust and dirt can settle on it, causing damage over time. Following certain guidelines for disassembling and storing the tree will make it last years past its estimated expiration date.
Take it down! Artificial Christmas trees these days usually come in sections, with the branches attached to the section with hinges. It’s like an umbrella. For each section, “de-fluff” the branch tips. This means flattening the tips against each other, making them as straight as you can. Flatten them so they look as they did (reasonably) when they came from the manufacturer.
Wrap it up. Before disassembling your artificial Christmas tree, buy a few rolls of bubble wrap and some cellophane tape. Collapse the section, pushing the branches against each other to make the section as small as possible. Then tightly wrap the section in the bubble wrap and secure it with the tape. This is your final layer of protection against dirt and dust, and most important layer if you don’t have any storage bags or boxes for your artificial tree. Also, if the section falls or if anything falls on it, the branches don’t break because they are so tightly bound together. Do this for each section.
Bag it. Your artificial Christmas tree must be sealed off from the outside world, and many retailers sell
storage bags specifically made for artificial Christmas trees. The following criteria should be met before you purchase: The bag must be made of a nylon/polyester blend or poly vinyl blend; handles for easy carrying; it should zip shut. This last bit is very important, as it is easy for dirt to enter a bag that’s only Velcro-ed shut. So what if the heavy-duty zippered bags are more expensive? This is to protect the grand and beautiful investment that is your artificial Christmas tree. Do not buy one of those “nothing to it!” bags that zipper up right over a standing tree; it’s like sending a child into a winter storm wearing a spring jacket.
Put it in a cardboard box. This is strongly advisable, especially if you have enough room in your storage area. Ideally, your artificial Christmas tree has been broken down into sections, wrapped like a mummy, and placed in its storage bag(s). Well done. Putting your tree in a double-corrugated cardboard box and taping it shut will seal the protective deal. This protects your artificial Christmas tree 100% from dust and dirt, makes storing the tree more manageable as other boxes can be stacked on top, and is a prevents your tree from all damage should anything fall on top of it – barring any tornadoes, of course.
These steps may be time consuming in the beginning, but after a couple of times you will establish a rhythm and process of your own. If you want your tree to last for over ten years, take care of it using the recommendations above, and your artificial Christmas tree will be a part of your holiday memories for years to come.
