Decking the halls can put a lot of strain on our homes. Thick garlands, heavy strands of lights, glittery ornaments, and bulky Christmas trees can leave behind stubborn messes and unsightly damage after the holidays are over. Amid an already busy season, the last thing you need is the headache and expense caused by scratched floors, chipped wall paint, or damage left behind by a fire or excess water.
To protect your home this holiday season, start by hanging or displaying all of your decorations using safe, damage-free methods. And when it’s time to take them down, do so slowly and carefully. These holiday decorating tips will show you how to make your home feel festive and bright without creating a giant mess or inflicting permanent damage on your flooring, walls, windows, woodwork, and more.
Protect Floors From Your Christmas Tree
Without proper care, your beautifully decorated Christmas tree can do some serious damage to your floors. Often made of hard plastic or metal, the tree stands that support these hefty evergreens can leave permanent indentations in carpet or scratch hardwood and other types of flooring. To redistribute the weight and protect your carpeting, place your tree inside a large, sturdy basket or use a piece of plywood as a base under the tree stand. Cover the plywood with a tree skirt or wrap it like a present for a festive disguise. Prevent scratches on other types of flooring by placing a non-skid mat underneath the tree. If you have a real tree, choose a waterproof material that will also protect floors from water and sap.Hang Decorations Without Nails
When hanging decorations, avoid the hassle of nails or screws that leave behind unsightly holes. Instead, use removable, self-adhesive hooks or hanging strips that securely mount to the wall and remove easily. To ensure your decorations don’t come crashing down, always use hangers that are rated for the weight of whatever you’re displaying, and clean the wall or other surface thoroughly beforehand to achieve good adhesion.Keep in mind that you should never use duct tape, double-sided tape, or other adhesive products that aren’t designed for use on walls. These can be difficult to remove and leave behind a sticky residue or even peel off paint.
Safely Secure Garlands
Garlands can be heavy, especially if decked out with ornaments, pine cones, ribbon, and other trimmings. When decorating your fireplace, consider simply snaking the garland across the top of the mantel to forego the need for extra reinforcement. If you prefer your garland draped across the front of the mantel, grab some clear fishing line and enough self-adhesive hangers to support the garland’s weight. For added support, attach the hangers to the top of the mantel’s surface, not across the front, and loop the fishing line around the garland to hang. This puts less strain on the hangers, so your garland is less likely to fall. For staircase banisters, consider using zip ties to easily secure the garland without damaging the railing.Stop Glitter From Going Everywhere
Glitter adds a festive touch to ornaments and other holiday decorations, but the effect is less charming when you’re still picking sparkles out of your carpet months later. To avoid scattering glitter all over your home, seal your sparkly baubles with a clear acrylic sealer before hanging them on the tree. In a pinch, a coat of hairspray can also work. Let them dry completely before decorating.Decorate Windows Safely
Dressing up your windows puts your holiday decor on display for the whole neighborhood to see. To hang wreaths and other decorations safely, never use nails or screws directly around windows, as this can allow moisture or cold air to permeate through the frame. You should also avoid tape, stickers, and anything else likely to leave behind a sticky residue. For an easy, damage-free hanging method, use hooks that adhere to the glass via suction cups. Another option is to secure self-adhesive, removable hooks above the window frame, then hang your decoration by clear fishing line.Avoid Holiday Fire Hazards
The more holiday decor the merrier, but all that greenery and embellishment can pose a serious fire hazard. To minimize the risk of a house fire this season, ensure all electrical wires are in good condition before plugging in your lights, and don’t overload circuits. Never leave open flames unattended, and consider using flameless candles wherever possible. Keep your tree and any other flammable decorations away from fireplaces, heaters, and warm lights. A dried-out tree poses an even bigger fire hazard, so check the water level every day to ensure it has plenty to drink. Once the holiday season is over, dispose of your tree promptly.Dear Readers: We would love to hear from you. What topics would you like to read about? Please send your feedback and tips to [email protected].
