I've had a thing for vintage Shiny Brites and other vintage Christmas ornaments for as long as I can remember.
They hung on my tree as a child.
I made sure I had a few on my very first Christmas tree in my very first apartment.
They were one of the first things I called dibs on when my brothers, sisters, and I cleaned out my mom's home when she died.
They're hanging on one of my trees right now as we speak.
I can't even imagine a time when vintage Christmas ornaments will not be part of my holiday decor. I'm hooked. For life.
Whether I brought them from my mom's house or found them at an estate sale, I feel a responsibility to protect and preserve them as much as I can. That is why I want to explain how I store my Shiny Brites and other vintage goodies from year to year.
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How To Store Vintage Christmas Ornaments
Preparing Your Ornaments For Storage
Dust ornaments prior to storing them. This is extra important if they were hung on a flocked Christmas tree. That stuff is pretty to look at, but it may discolor your ornaments over time if left setting on them.
A small paintbrush is great for getting in all the nooks and crannies.
I usually dust them when I am taking them off the tree, but on the tree made for a more festive photo op!
Take the hangers off the ornaments. They can scratch the delicate painting, so best to store them separately.
Types Of Storage Boxes
I prefer to store my ornaments in their original boxes if I have them. Besides, it's fun to stack the empty boxes in a Christmas tree shape as extra fun Christmas decor.
If you do not have the original boxes, then you have a few choices:
You can buy ornament storage boxes with divided compartments, like these canvas ones with acid-free dividers that I recently bought on Amazon. Do not use one of the hard plastic ones since the plastic can trap moisture, save those for your less treasured ornaments.
A cardboard/pulp egg carton makes a wonderful place to store smaller ball-shaped ornaments. I just use the ones from the local grocery.
I prefer the pulp cartons over the styrofoam variety because I have a hunch the "stickiness" of the styrofoam may pull off some of the paint and vintage mica snow. And you want to keep as much of the mica intact as possible.
Side note - the mica snow looks like hard white bumpy glitter, but has a larger grain and looks more "attached" than flaky glitter would. Also, it's not nearly as annoying and prone to get in your eyeball as glitter. It is a sign of the age of an ornament as mica was used pre-1960's and glitter tended to be used in more recent years.
You can also wrap your ornaments in acid free tissue, which is free of chemicals and dyes that can harm your ornaments then place them in cardboard gift boxes or containers. Most of my more delicate, oddly shaped ones are stored in this manner.
Where To Store Your Vintage Christmas Ornaments
Store your boxes of ornaments in a closet, dresser or under the bed. Basically anywhere inside your living space where you have room. Avoid storing your ornaments in the basement or attic where they would be subject to extremes in temperature or humidity.
If you wouldn't want to spend the summer locked away in a sweltering attic, then chances are your family heirlooms won't either.
Do you have any other tips for ornaments storage? Where do you store yours?
Check out the web story version of this article HERE.
Other posts you may enjoy:
Christmas Home Tour - Thrift store Decor Style
5 Iconic Vintage Christmas Decor Items
A Vintage, Farmhouse, Retro Kind Of Holiday Home Tour
Diane M Dalton
Thanks for the article! I use real lead tinsel. How would you go about storing it? I don't want to just throw it in a baggie. I want to try to keep it nice and straight. Thank you!
Pam Kessler
Oh, I love the original tinsel! It does tend to get creased more easily than the newer "plastic" type of tinsel.
I would get a long Tupperware type container or box and put tissue paper in the bottom. Then put a layer of tinsel followed by more tissue paper and more layers of tinsel. You could also use cardboard between the layers instead of tissue. When you have all the tinsel sandwiched in there make sure the tinsel doesn't have room to move around. Depending on the size of your container you may have to add more crumpled up tissue to keep it all in place.
Kellie
For really special ornaments I would wrap them in acid free tissue paper and put them in an archival ( made from cotton) box. They are pretty pricey but it would be perfect for very special ornaments.
Jauquetta
The snow in October was a real surprise! My husband was here for the summer and he said it was a bit brutal. Will have to see! Lol. I don't care for the heat. Cold, so far, isn't horrible. I really do thank you for your input as to ornament storage. I just wouldn't have thought about it, until it might have been too late. How do you manage all those wax items? They can be the worst, especially the older ones. Hope my house will keep my regular candles ok! We learned the hard way not to leave fruit for the store overnight in the car! Frozen cantaloupe!
LindaRae
Pam,
I grew up using the same box of tinsel! So it made me smile when you talked about reusing things. Always love seeing your posts.
I am also a red plaid fan.
Pam Kessler
Thank you! I may be going overboard on the plaid this year - I found a plaid crockpot at the local grocery store that I bought JUST because it was plaid 🙂 Now I have to figure out what to cook in it for the holidays!
girlfromwva
i wrap mine in tissue paper, & keep them in a closet inside decorative boxes i bought at Michaels.
Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces
Lots of wonderful tips, Pam! I use the original boxes when possible and I love using the pulp egg cartons, especially for the smaller feather tree ornaments. Such a treasure to have your family ornaments...I have just one from my parents...a little purple and silver indent. Merry Christmas to you!
Pam Kessler
Merry Christmas, Linda! I hope you are enjoying the season! And the snow.
Jauquetta
Thanks for the info, I've now moved to Iowa. I hear the summers are awful, don't know yet! I too have vintage ornaments and protect them like crazy but my storage is probably going to be hot. Will have to keep them hone! I have so many mercury glass things, adore them. Great advice, thanks.
Pam Kessler
I hope it's not too hot there this year. I think it's pretty close to Ohio summer weather though, hot, humid and lots of corn!
Becky
Just had to laugh about your "electric" dilemma, sounds like something that would happen to me.
The Grinch continues to stop my outdoor lights from coming on, some are on and some off. Electric is not my thing either apparently. I love my shinny brites. My Mother gave me 2 boxes plus a box of 4 large balls, no name on that box, after my Dad died. I have bought some shinny brites also on eBay. Also have a wax angel from the Christmas market in Nuremburg and some other glass balls from Germany when we lived there years ago. Enjoy the snow before it turns into "snirt" (snow/dirt). May you and your family have a blessed Christmas and a healthy and happy New Year
Pam Kessler
Thank you Becky! Have wonderful Christmas yourself!
taryterre
i stored mine so well... we can't find them. they are packed away in the attic somewhere. so we just have the tree. and lights. love all your ideas.
Pam Kessler
Well, if someone breaks into your house to get your ornaments they will never find them!
Jeannie
I have almost all the same ornaments! I had the original green-ish boxes until the just fell apart. I kept the dividers & use them in other boxes. Coat gift boxes, I think. I wanted to clean off a few of the larger ornaments to give to my brother. I made the mistake of wiping one off with a damp paper towel! Took the color right off. I have several of your top box so I'll probably give him a couple of those. Merry Christmas!
Pam Kessler
Those green boxes are hard to find at estate sales. I hardly ever see them and I bet it's because they're so fragile. The couple that I have I use two hands when picking them up or else they start bending in the middle 🙂