The chances of finding vintage Christmas ornaments thriving in their original boxes are extremely slim. Certainly, historians and many collectors would be interested if the ornaments had their original packaging. But the dainty cardboard stuff needs some maintenance to last long (yes, ornament boxes are mostly made of cheap, delicate cardboards, usually with a cellophane window that shows off the contents).

In most cases, Christmas ornaments spend the longest time hidden from light, the worst enemy of heirlooms. The problem arises when they are stored up in distant places–such as the attics, garages, and basements–where moisture or fluctuating temperatures may cause damage and bring the Christmas merry to a halt.

Looking to make the most out of Christmas this year? Read on. You’ll find some of the best ways to keep your ornaments preserved:

Maintain a careful cleaning regimen

You can remove paint from old glass ornaments by gently dusting them after taking down the trees. With a dampened cloth, wipe cardboard or paper surfaces. But to prevent distortion, take it a step at a time.

You should not wash velvet or crochet ornaments made of antique fabric. Rather, bring in an expert conservator.

 When in doubt, test out a tiny part to see if they’re colorfast before polishing metal ornaments. Wipe wax ornaments using warm water and a piece of soft cloth. And if they are bent out, get a dryer.

Hang up ornaments safely

Place foam padding or cotton batting under your Christmas trees to protect ornaments when they fall—you might as well decide to cover them all up with tree skirts.

 Look out for hooks and caps of ornaments before hanging, and be sure they are strong. 

Support the branches with thin hooks or get new ones. And then, avoid sunlight.