With the holidays winding down, it’s time to start thinking about taking down your decor. Removing festive decorations can be tricky, especially if you need to use a tall ladder for lights or pack away fragile items like glass ornaments. Putting away your decorations safely and correctly is key to preserving them for many years of use. Here are some valuable tips on safely removing holiday decor without damaging them or injuring yourself.
Organize Your Supplies Before Removing Holiday Decor
Before removing garlands, wreaths, candelabras, and ornaments, ensure you have all the necessary tools and supplies. You’ll need a sturdy ladder, boxes for storage, and newspaper or bubble wrap for breakable items like glass. Having everything ready before you start makes the job easier and less stressful. It’s also a good idea to enlist help from family and friends; the work will go quickly, and you’ll have someone to stabilize the ladder.
Take the Tree Down
Take proper precautions when taking down your artificial tree by wearing protective gloves. Begin by gently untangling lights or electrical cords around the tree before removing the branches. Simply fold the limbs carefully for artificial trees as you work your way down the tree. Make sure to never pull down on a branch but instead support its weight from underneath while folding it into place for storage.
Safely Remove Lights and Decor from Rooflines & Trees
One of the most important tips for removing holiday decor is to take down lights with the help of a friend or family member. When using a ladder, have someone present to support the ladder and keep you safe.
Before beginning the process of unstringing lights and taking down decorations, unplug them from their outlets. Additionally, check all stringed lights for burned-out bulbs and frayed wires before attempting to remove them. Replace bulbs as necessary before unplugging and removing the lights. If you find frayed or otherwise damaged wires, dispose of the lights after taking them down. Broken wires are dangerous and can cause an electrical fire in the home.
When taking lights off the tree, start at the end of the string and work your way around to avoid tangles. Once they’re off, wrap the strings of lights around plastic spools or pieces of cardboard so they stay organized while in storage until next season.
Store Wreaths Until Next Season
To safely store wreaths until next year, begin by removing the lights and ornaments from the wreath. Place those items in separate labeled boxes for easy organization when you unpack them next season. Then, gently wrap the wreath with tissue paper to prevent damage caused by dirt or dust particles in storage. Finally, place the wrapped wreath in a box or wreath container that is large enough to hold it without flattening the greenery. Make sure you label this box, so you know what’s inside.
Safely Removing Holiday Decor: Pack Fragile Ornaments
Take extra precautions when packing fragile items like glass balls or delicate figurines. Wrap each item in newspaper (or bubble wrap if available) before storing it. Use boxes with dividers for added protection against breakage during transport. Label the boxes, so you know where each item is when it comes time to put up decorations again next year.
Taking down holiday decorations is arduous, but following these simple tips will help you do it quickly and safely without damage. With these tips in mind, removing holiday decorations will be a less stressful experience this season.
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