Preserving decor

Whether your decorating style is "understated elegance" or "Santa's workshop exploded on the lawn," everyone agrees opening storage boxes to discover a broken ornament or ruined family heirloom puts a damper on holiday joy.

Holiday decor is lovely to look at, but it also symbolizes what we value about the holidays: spiritual meaning, time with family, traditions and memories.

We asked experts from the Department of Art Conservation in the College of Arts and Sciences and the Winterthur/University of Delaware Program in Art Conservation (WUDPAC) for the best ways to take care of holiday decorations, ensuring that items - along with the memories they represent - last for years to come.

Debra Hess Norris, Unidel Henry Francis du Pont Chair and professor of photograph conservation; Madeline Hagerman, assistant professor and director of the undergraduate art conservation program; and Melissa Tedone, assistant professor of library and archives conservation and WUDPAC associate director, shared their expertise on preserving decor and keeping the holidays magical.

No matter what you want to save and display, the general rule is to store objects in a cool, dry, climate-controlled space away from direct sunlight or heat sources. It might be hard to find space, but interior closets are ideal. Avoid attics and basements when you can, as the humidity and temperature fluctuations can cause damage.

Below are tips for specific types of decorations and memorabilia.

Stockings and textiles

Although they are only used for a few days, or weeks, each year, and are never actually worn, Christmas stockings can show signs of wear.

Hagerman said wool is like catnip to moths and tiny critters, so if you have a wool stocking be sure to store it in a tightly sealed container away from windows. Synthetic materials like polyester are safe from pests, but light exposure can cause fading for many types of dyes.

Don't throw your stockings in the washing machine - especially if they are wool! Items in good condition can be soaked in cold water with a gentle dish soap. Do not squeeze or ring out textiles, as this might distort their shape. Lay flat to dry.