How to Discard a Christmas Tree

When holiday revelries draw to a close, it's time to pack up the decorations and take down the Christmas tree. Taking down the tree can be its own special event to ring in the New Year and get things started for the year ahead. Whether you enjoyed an artificial or real Christmas tree this holiday season, here's what you need to know to discard it with ease.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Christmas tree
• Tree bag
• Tote boxes
• Ornament boxes
• Empty shoe boxes
• Ziploc bags
• Empty paper towel rolls/plastic hangars
• Newspaper
• Bubble wrap
• Patience

1. Remove the fragile ornaments. Start removing fragile ornaments and wrapping them in tissue paper, bubble wrap, or newspaper to reduce breakage. If you have the original ornament boxes, place the ornaments into each box, or just stack each item in a tote or shoe box.

2. Remove the baubles. Take down all the baubles from the Christmas tree and place them in their designated boxes. Remember to take down hooks and store them separately in a Ziploc bag.

3. Take down the light. Unwrap the lights from the tree and tie them around an empty paper towel roll, a plastic hanger, or just back in their holder if you have it on hand. This will prevent them from getting tangled and knotted when you need them in the future.

4. Wrap the tree in the Christmas tree bag. Cover the tree with the oversized bag and pull it down over the base. (Skip this step if you are taking down an artificial tree).

5. Remove the tree from the stand. Carefully remove the tree from the stand and lay it down on the floor.

6. Tie the end of the bag. Tie the end of the bag securely on the base. Prepare it for removal.

7. Carry the tree outside for pickup. Take the tree outside to be picked up by the garbage collector.

Tips & Warnings

• Dismantle an artificial tree by taking apart each piece and placing it in the original box or a storage tote
• Make sure you are leaving the tree out only on a designated pickup date.