How to Care for Your Everlasting Christmas Decorations

How to Care for Your E

How to care for your Everlasting Christmas Decorations

Knowing how to care for your everlasting Christmas decorations will help keep them looking beautiful, season after season. From gently shaping your garlands and swags to cleaning centrepieces and storing little Christmas trees, a few thoughtful steps make all the difference.

Simple advice for keeping artificial garlands, swags, centrepieces and trees beautiful, season after season.

There is something lovely about bringing out your Christmas decorations each year. Opening the boxes, arranging familiar favourites and slowly watching your home take on its festive glow.

For me, that is part of the charm of everlasting foliage. A beautifully chosen garland, a little winter tree or a centrepiece you love can become part of those annual traditions.

Although artificial Christmas decorations need very little maintenance, a little thoughtful care helps preserve their shape, colour and delicate details. Here is my guide to unpacking, displaying, cleaning and storing your Whispering Lily pieces.

Begin with a gentle reshape

After travelling to you—or spending the year carefully packed away—your decoration may need a little attention before it is ready to display.

Lift it by its supporting structure, base or pot, rather than pulling on foliage, flowers or berries. Once it is resting securely, gently ease flexible branches into position, working through one small section at a time.

With garlands and swags, allow the foliage to fall naturally. With little trees, gently open flexible branches to give them space and shape.

Only adjust stems designed to bend. Fixed details and rigid branches should be left in place, and anything that feels resistant should never be forced.

Take your time with ribbons, too. Gently open the bow loops and release the tails without tugging on their attachment.

Choose a position that protects your foliage

An indoor setting away from strong sunlight, moisture and direct heat is usually the best place for everlasting decorations.

Prolonged sunlight can fade colours, while radiators, hot surfaces and damp conditions may affect materials and decorative finishes. In kitchens, choose somewhere away from steam, grease and cooking splashes.

If you are styling a fireplace or mantel, keep every part of your decoration clear of flames and hot surfaces. Always follow the clearance guidance for your fireplace or stove.

Artificial foliage is not fireproof. For a soft glow around a centrepiece, I recommend flameless LED candles rather than open flames.

Can artificial Christmas decorations go outside?

Outdoor suitability depends on the individual product and its materials. Please check the product description before displaying any piece outside.

Unless a decoration is specifically described as suitable for outdoor use, treat it as an indoor piece.

Where sheltered outdoor use is suitable, choose a covered doorway or porch protected from rain, strong wind and direct sunlight. Shelter does not make a decoration weatherproof, and it is best to bring it indoors during severe weather.

Natural pine cones, ribbons, wire and decorative finishes can all respond differently to moisture. If you are unsure about a particular Whispering Lily design, please ask me before choosing its position.

Caring for your Christmas garland

A garland can bring a lovely sweep of greenery to a mantel, staircase or doorway. Supporting it properly helps protect both its shape and its individual stems.

When moving it, support its length rather than carrying it from one end. Arrange the main structure first, then gently style the foliage around it.

Use secure fixings suitable for the surface and the total weight of your display. Attach these to the supporting structure, rather than delicate foliage stems.

On a staircase, keep the handrail usable and make sure trailing greenery cannot catch clothing or obstruct the walkway. Check your fixings occasionally throughout the season.

When Christmas is over, store your garland in a loose coil or generous curve. Avoid sharp folds that could damage the main stem.

Caring for your Christmas swag

A swag’s trailing shape is part of its beauty, so handle its tip and cascading foliage gently.

Lift it by the main stem or frame and use a secure hanger suitable for its weight. Once it is in position, ease the foliage and ribbon tails into place.

For a door display, check that nothing becomes trapped as the door opens and closes, or repeatedly rubs against surrounding surfaces.

When packing it away, lay it flat where possible, supporting the trailing sections so they are not bent or crushed.

Caring for your Christmas centrepiece

Whether you display your centrepiece on a dining table, console or mantel, lift it from beneath its base or container.

A protective mat underneath can help prevent ceramic or metal bases from marking furniture. Choose a stable position where trailing stems will not be caught as people pass.

Your artificial arrangement does not need watering. Keep it clear of spills and do not add water to its container.

If a design includes a faux-water finish, this is decorative rather than real water and should be protected from strong sunlight and heat.

Store your centrepiece upright, leaving enough space around its foliage and flowers to preserve the arrangement.

Caring for your little Christmas tree

Small artificial trees are lovely for adding greenery to a hallway, kitchen or quiet corner of the living room.

Carry yours by its pot or base, supporting the trunk where needed. Gently arrange flexible branches without forcing rigid stems or delicate twig tips.

If you place the supplied pot inside a decorative outer pot, check that it sits securely. There is no need to add water, damp soil or mist the foliage.

Choose lightweight ornaments that the branches can comfortably support. If adding lights, use a suitable set and follow its instructions.

Frosted and glittered finishes may shed a little when handled. Avoid rubbing these surfaces and keep adjustments gentle.

How to clean artificial Christmas foliage

For most pieces, light dusting is all that is needed.

Use a clean, soft brush and work gently through the foliage, supporting delicate details as you go. A small soft brush is particularly useful around berries, pine cones and flower petals.

Avoid immersing decorations in water, rinsing them under a tap or using household cleaning sprays.

Frosted, flocked, glittered, fabric and natural dried details are best cleaned with a dry brush. For plain, uncoated foliage, a barely damp cloth may be suitable where the product’s care instructions allow it. Test a hidden area first and allow it to dry fully.

How to Care for Your Everlasting Christmas Decorations After the Festive Season

Careful storage makes next year’s decorating so much easier.

Before packing anything away, make sure it is clean and completely dry. Remove separately added ornaments and lights, and remove batteries from any battery-operated accessories.

Use the original packaging where practical, or choose a sturdy box large enough to hold the decoration without squeezing it.

Loosely support bows, flowers and delicate tips with tissue paper. Avoid wrapping foliage tightly or placing heavy items on top of the box.

Choose a cool, dry storage space away from sunlight and excessive heat. Damp garages and sheds, or lofts that become very hot, are best avoided.

I also suggest labelling the box clearly, so you know which piece is inside before unpacking it.

A little care, a familiar Christmas pleasure

Everlasting decorations are wonderfully easy to enjoy. They need no watering, and a gentle dusting, thoughtful display position and careful storage will help keep them looking their best.

When next Christmas arrives, give each piece a little time and a gentle reshape—and enjoy finding its place in your home once again.

Explore the Whispering Lily Everlasting Christmas collection, or get in touch if you would like advice about caring for your chosen piece.

With love,Lindsey x

Founder & floral designer, Whispering Lily