Here's How to Properly Store Your Christmas Tree After the Holidays

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When Christmastime rolls around, there's always so much to consider: what sort of Christmas tree decorations you want, what kind of Christmas tree toppers look best, and when to put up your Christmas tree. But before you can even do that, there is always the most important decision to be made: Do you buy a fresh type of Christmas tree or opt for one of the best artificial Christmas trees?

Certainly, there are benefits of both tree options. Though Ree swears by a real tree, her daughter Alex loves the simplicity of an artificial option! While the experience of picking out a real tree and the gentle pine smell wafting through your home is lovely, you have to worry about how to water it and keep it alive all December. And don't even get us started on all those pine needles you have to clean up! That's why a fake tree is also such a great choice—it takes care of itself, doesn't shed, and best of all, you can have it for years to come.

But of course, once the holiday season is over and you reluctantly debate when you should take down your Christmas tree, you must figure out how to store an artificial Christmas tree so that it stays in peak condition until it's ready to make its appearance next year. If you've struggled with just how and where to tuck that tree away for safe keeping, we've got the answers right here.

What is the best way to prepare a Christmas tree for storage?

First things first, make sure your tree is unplugged and free of all extraneous lights, ornaments, and wires before dissembling. This sounds obvious, but nothing is worse than getting stabbed with an old ornament hook the next year when you take it out. If your tree is pre-lit, don’t worry about removing the lights, but if you’ve placed string lights on the branches yourself, make sure those get removed.

You’ll also want to clean any dust off the branches before storing your tree. Trust us, next year you will be so thankful! To clean it, you can use a vacuum cleaner with a duster attachment or a damp cloth. Just make sure you allow ample time for the branches to dry before packing it away.

Next comes disassembly. To do this, consider how your tree was first assembled. Some trees arrive in sections, so take the tree apart in the reverse order that it was put together. Press the branches inwards towards the center to make them as flat as possible. Other trees come in one large piece. If that is the case, place it on its side and go around the branches, pressing them inwards towards the center to flatten. You can always refer to the instruction manual for your specific tree to get full details on disassembly.

How do you wrap a Christmas tree for storage?

After you've properly disassembled your tree, it's time to store it until next winter. Though it sounds environmentally friendly and logical to put the tree back in the box it came in, chances are, you'll struggle to make it fit. You spent a lot of time fluffing those branches out, so they likely won't fit comfortably back in the box.

The first thing to do is grab strong, extra large trash bags. Smaller assembled trees should be able to fit in one bag or two, and larger trees that come apart can have each section stored separately. If you have a large tree that comes in one piece, invest in a Christmas tree cover designed for your size tree. Next, find a container that will fit all of the branches snuggly but not squish them. You want it to be waterproof, so you can opt for a plastic storage container or a heavy duty zipped bag with handles. Now, it's ready to be tucked away!

95 Gallon Trash Bags

95-Gallon Trash Bags

Sterilite 18 Gallon Tote Box

18-Gallon Red Tote Box

Upright Christmas Tree Canvas Storage Cover Bag

Large Christmas Tree Storage Bag

Christmas Ornament Storage Tray

Sterilite Adjustable Ornament Case

Christmas Light Storage Spools

Where is the best place to store a Christmas tree?

Large trees can be stored vertically, but if you don't have space for that, trees can be stored horizontally. They might require a bit more fluffing when they are reassembled, but they will be fine otherwise. Try and find a cool, dry spot to store your tree. The hotter and damper the space, the more likely the tree is to get moldy or even melt, no matter how well it is packed.

If you're not lucky enough to have a spare storage closet, consider well ventilated basements, garages, or even rental storage facilities. Those spots will also work well for your ornament storage, so you can keep everything in one place to make life easier next Christmas! And if you're worried about your tree having a musty smell once it's unpacked, try storing it with a container of baking soda or unused coffee grounds.

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