Don’t let your magical Christmas tree ruin your floors or become a fire hazard.
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.
