When looked after properly, there’s no reason artificial Christmas trees shouldn’t last you for a decade or more. Here’s a guide on how to pack away and store your artificial tree.
Disassembling your tree
Unless you’ve got a pop-up tree, you’ll need to break down your tree into its component parts for storage. The first job is to gently strip the tree of all lights and decorations, making sure you don’t tug baubles off, as this can damage the tree’s branches. Work with the direction of the foliage, not against it.
Once the tree is clear of accessories, carefully lift off each section. Each branch that has been ‘fluffed’ now needs to be smoothed down, which means gently pressing down each of the offshoots so that they lie flat, parallel with the main limb. Teasing, not squeezing, is the key here. If the segments are coded by coloured or numbered labels, pack them back into the storage box in matching groups.
Getting everything back in the box
If your tree parts don’t fit back into the box, you’ve probably not ‘de-fluffed’ enough, so rather than trying to force it, go back and smooth down each section again, making sure each branch is as flattened as possible. Once all the parts are in the box, tape it up well so that no dust can get in.
Storing your tree
If possible, store your tree indoors in your loft, cellar or understairs cupboard, as keeping it dry helps to elongate its life. If, however, you need to store your tree in a garage or shed, thoroughly wrap the whole box in plastic and seal carefully to keep out damp and any unwelcome little visitors.
Pack and store your tree well, and you’ll thank yourself next Christmas for doing such an excellent job!
