You decided to invest in an artificial Christmas tree, but you just realized that in just a few short weeks Christmas will be over and you will be struggling to store that tree.

Don’t worry, although Christmas trees aren’t the most compact things around, it’s possible to store them.

Here are some tips to help.

Fully Assembled
Before you take your tree down, consider storing it fully assembled. This might seem strange, but by storing your tree like this you won’t have to take it down or put it up next year. You can purchase bags for your tree at many home improvement stores or you can even wrap it with plastic wrap. Just make sure you have the space to store the fully assembled tree.

Disassembled
If you want to take your tree apart before you store it, consider saving the original box that it came in. The box is likely the most compact storage solution available for your tree and will protect it during storage.

Protection From Rodents
Rodents may want to make your tree their home for the winter and can destroy it in the process. Make sure your tree is stored in a sealed box and consider adding rodent and insect traps and repellants inside and nearby it for added protection.

Protection From Damage
Heat and direct sunlight can wreak havoc on your stored artificial Christmas tree. Store your tree in an area where temperatures do not get very hot and keep it out of direct sunlight.

The best thing about owning an artificial Christmas tree is being able to use it year after year.

Although you may also have to deal with storing it, it will pay off in the end.