What Is The Best Packing For Ornaments?

Ornaments are decorative items that are used to adorn something, especially during the holiday season. They come in a variety of materials, shapes, and sizes, from delicate glass balls and baubles to handcrafted figurines andfabric decorations. Packing ornamentsproperly is crucial to keeping them safe when putting them into storage between seasons or when traveling with them to share holiday traditions.

This guide will provide tips on the best materials and techniques for packing different types of ornaments so they are protected from damage caused by bumps, shifting, and other risks during storage and transport.

Proper packing allows treasured ornaments to safely remain in good condition year after year.

Reasons for Packing Ornaments

There are several key reasons why properly packing ornaments is important:

Protecting from damage – Ornaments, especially glass or ceramic ones, can easily break if not packed with care. Packing materials like bubble wrap or tissue paper protect delicate ornaments from cracks and chips during storage and transport.

Saving space – Ornaments take up a lot of space when left out year-round. Packing them neatly into boxes conserves storage room in your home.

Moving to a new home – When relocating, sturdy boxes safely transport fragile ornaments. Packing also prevents loss of small decorations during a move.

Seasonal storage – Ornaments are typically used for holiday decor. Packing them away off season keeps them organized and damage-free so they are ready to reuse year after year. Proper storage prevents wear and extends the lifespan of ornaments.

According to How To Pack Holiday Decorations: A Storage Guide, glass and ceramic ornaments can easily chip if stored incorrectly. Packing ornaments properly for storage or transport protects them from damage.

Materials Needed

When packing ornaments, you will need boxes or containers to store them in, as well as wrapping materials to protect the ornaments. Some recommended materials include:

• Boxes – Cardboard boxes, plastic storage containers, or ornament storage boxes specifically designed for packing ornaments.
• Wrapping paper – Plain wrapping paper or tissue paper to wrap around each ornament.
• Bubble wrap – To wrap larger or more fragile ornaments before placing in the box.
• Tissue paper – To wrap delicate ornaments and fill empty space in boxes. White or natural colored tissue paper works best.
• Foam – Foam sheets placed in the bottom of boxes help cushion ornaments.
• Labels – To identify contents of each box for easy storage and retrieval next holiday season.

Be sure to select boxes sturdy enough to support the weight of ornaments without collapsing. Wrapping materials like tissue paper protect fragile glass or ceramic ornaments. Bubble wrap adds extra cushioning for delicate items. Labels help keep stored boxes organized. With the right materials, you can safely pack ornaments for storage.

Preparation

Before packing up your ornaments, it is important to thoroughly inspect each one for any damage that may have occurred over the past year. Carefully look over each ornament, checking for cracks, chips, dents, or other issues. If you find any damage, set those ornaments aside to be repaired or disposed of. It’s best to address any damage prior to packing so the issues don’t worsen during storage. According to StoreSpace, inspecting ornaments ahead of time can help prevent breakage.

You’ll also want to clean each of your ornaments before packing them away. Dust them off gently with a soft cloth to remove any dirt or debris that may have collected. Avoid submerging delicate ornaments in water when cleaning. Be sure to remove any hooks, hangers, ribbons, or caps from the ornaments as well so they can pack tightly without catching on each other.

Proper inspection and cleaning ahead of time will help ensure your ornaments make it through storage unscathed so they are ready to go for next year’s holidays. This prep work is an important first step of the ornament packing process.

Wrapping Individual Ornaments

When wrapping individual ornaments, it’s important to use materials that will protect them from breaking during storage and transport. According to this source, you should wrap fragile ornaments in tissue paper first to cushion them. Bubble wrap or foam padding can then be used around the tissue paper as an extra layer of protection.

Wrapping the ornaments individually in tissue and padding helps prevent them from knocking against each other or the sides of the storage box. This helps minimize the chance of chips, cracks, or breaks. Any especially fragile ornaments like glass balls or family heirlooms should be wrapped with extra care and padding.

Packing the Box

When packing ornaments in a box, it is important to use cushioning materials to prevent breakage. Crumpled paper or bubble wrap make excellent cushioning options. Wrap each ornament individually in a layer of cushioning before packing them tightly together in the box. Packing them tightly helps prevent shifting and movement inside the box during transport or storage.

Make sure to fill any empty space in the box with crumpled paper to stabilize the ornaments. Don’t overload the box, as too much weight can lead to breakage. But packing the ornaments compactly keeps them from rattling around and colliding with each other or the sides of the box.

For especially delicate glass ornaments, consider using dividers or compartmentalized boxes to separate each one. Peanuts and foam can also cushion ornaments effectively. Just be sure not to fully submerge ornaments in loose cushioning, which allows movement. The key is tight packing with cushioning wrapped directly around each ornament.

Labeling Boxes

Carefully labeling all boxes containing ornaments is an essential step when packing them away. This ensures you can easily identify the contents when unpacking them later. When labeling, be sure to:

• Indicate that the ornaments inside are fragile. This alerts anyone handling the boxes to be extra cautious.
• Specifically mark what is inside each box. Generic labels like “Christmas stuff” lead to containers being opened unnecessarily while searching.
• If you are moving, include details like the room destination. This helps movers know exactly where each box belongs.

Proper labeling saves time and prevents breakage when unpacking ornament boxes after storage. Use a bold permanent marker and write neatly so labels are clearly visible and legible.

Storing the Packed Boxes

Proper storage of packed ornament boxes is crucial to keeping your ornaments safe and preventing damage. The ideal storage conditions are in a cool, dry place away from extreme temperatures and moisture. Attics and basements should be avoided as storage locations due to their propensity for extreme heat, cold, and dampness.

Basements in particular tend to be too humid and promote mold growth which can ruin cardboard boxes and damage ornaments. Attics endure large temperature fluctuations from summer heat to winter cold which can negatively impact decorated glass ornaments.

The best places to store ornament boxes are in a closet, under a bed, or on shelves in a spare room. Wherever you choose, make sure the boxes are carefully stacked and not piled haphazardly to prevent crushing or boxes collapsing under the weight.

Stack boxes evenly and neatly on their sides rather than flat to help preserve the structural integrity of the boxes. Heavier plastic bins can be stacked, but avoid placing these above lighter cardboard boxes.

Special Considerations

When packing ornaments, it’s important to take into account any extra fragile heirloom ornaments that need special care. These antique or sentimental ornaments may require extra padding or cushioning when packing them. Using bubble wrap or soft cloth bags specifically for these special ornaments can help prevent them from getting damaged.

For those who move frequently, investing in high quality, sturdy ornament storage containers is recommended. Look for tough plastic bins or reinforced cardboard boxes that can withstand the bumps and jostles of frequent moves. Label these boxes clearly as fragile.

If packing away children’s art projects or homemade ornaments, be sure to use non-acidic tissue paper when wrapping them. Decorations made from salt dough, paper or pasta can be especially fragile. Store them flat in layers separated by tissue paper in shallow boxes, and avoid stacking other heavy boxes on top of them.

For more tips, see this guide on storing special Christmas ornaments.

Conclusion

In summary, the key steps for packing ornaments include gathering packing materials like tissue paper, bubble wrap, and boxes; individually wrapping delicate ornaments; layering ornaments in boxes with cushioning between each layer; labeling all boxes; and storing boxes properly to avoid damage. Taking the time to carefully pack ornaments is crucial for protecting them from breakage. Christmas ornaments often hold special sentimental value, so it is important to take measures to keep them safe and intact for many holiday seasons to come. With the right materials and a systematic approach, you can confidently store away your ornaments until next year.