The holiday season is a time for families to come together and appreciate what they mean to each other. Family get-togethers are often celebrated with the decorations you have come to see and love each year. With each passing year these items may become worn, faded, ripped, cracked, dinged, and bent. This however does not mean you should throw them out for new items. They are your history, your traditions, and your family memories. With a little updating and care you can breathe new life into your old decorations.
Miscellaneous wood, plastic, fabric, metal decorations can all be brought back to life. Adding or updating ribbon, jingle bells, greenery, or artificial flowers can make the piece feel new again. Gold or silver metallic spray paint can cover a dated design. For instance, say you have a small wooden sleigh with chipped and faded red paint. Spray the sleigh with the gold paint, add a red bow to each side and if you are feeling artsy hand paint a design in red. You update your wardrobe, home, and car… why not the decorations as well!
Ornaments can be particularly difficult to deal with. With glass ornaments storage is the key. Making sure they are tucked away in tissue paper, bubble wrap, and in a durable compartmentalized tote is the best way to keep them looking like new each year. Keeping them towards the top of your tree will keep them out of reach of children and pets with curious hands noses and paws! If they do start to look worn a quick change of the metal top and hook can update the bulb. Adding a ribbon around the top can give it a nice update as well.
Paper decorations seem to never last. If your family is like mine they get taped, tacked, and ripped a little bit more each year. The solution… have your paper decorations laminated! It may seem silly, but they will stand the test of time. Tape will peel right off of the plastic and if punch a hole in the top, you can use the same hole over and over. You can even use a section cup with a hook to hang your paper decoration from glass or smooth surfaces.
Glass decorations are a lot like ornaments. They need special attention in the off season. Try to keep their original packaging since they have the inserts that hold the item well. The boxes will stack nicely inside larger totes as well. If you have a broken antler on Rudolph, or an angel with a broken wing, gluing the broken piece is a good fix. It always helps to have a seamless crack and any sort of super glue will do the job. If the decoration has been cracked and glued in the past you might want to remove the old glue if possible to get the tightest fit. With all decorations, planning ahead is key. If you know you want to purchase a future heirloom for a family member, make sure it is durable and will stand the test of time.
Putting a little time and effort into salvaging old decorations can be rewarding and save you money. Your family will appreciate the creativity and thoughtfulness you put into preserving their memories for years to come.