How to Store Glass Christmas Ornaments Without Breaking Them

A good glass ornament can last for generations, as long as it survives January. Most breakages happen when the tree comes down in a hurry, so here's how to pack your glass so it comes out next December looking exactly as it went in.

1. Keep the original boxes

The best storage is the box your ornament came in. Every Edelglas ornament comes wrapped and boxed, ready to give as a gift or to store, and the box is made to fit. Write the year (and who it belongs to) on the side, and you'll never lose track of which is which.

2. Take ornaments down gently

Hold each ornament by the glass, not by the hook or cap, which can pull loose. Check that the cap is still sitting firmly before you pack it away.

3. Wrap each one in tissue

Use soft, acid-free tissue paper rather than newspaper, which can transfer ink. Avoid putting bubble wrap directly against painted glass: it traps moisture and, in a hot room, can stick to the paint. Tissue first, then bubble wrap on the outside if you need extra padding.

4. Use a sturdy, divided container

Put the boxed or wrapped ornaments into a strong plastic tub with a lid, which keeps out dust, moisture and insects better than cardboard. Heavier pieces go at the bottom, delicate ones on top, and nothing should be loose enough to roll around.

5. Store them somewhere cool and dry

This matters more in Australia than in Europe. Garages, sheds and roof spaces get extremely hot in summer, which can soften lacquer and lift glitter, and damp can tarnish the silvering inside the glass. A cupboard inside the house is best.

6. Keep a few out all year

Some pieces are too special to put away. Hang your favourites on a display stand or our heart-shaped hanging stand and enjoy them all year round. Browse all our displays and stands.

Want to know what you're packing away? Read about how glass ornaments are made.

Updated November 2026