Storage & Care Guide

Sterling silver ornaments should be handled with care to help preserve their finish and shine for years to come. Sterling silver will naturally tarnish over time due to oxidation when exposed to sulfur in the air, and tarnish may develop more quickly in humid environments.

For routine care, wipe the ornament gently with a soft cloth. Buffing with a soft polishing cloth can help restore shine and remove light tarnish. For more stubborn tarnish, a non-abrasive spray or liquid silver polish used with a soft cloth can help remove tarnish while also leaving behind a tarnish-resistant coating. Abrasive polishes or brushes are not recommended, as they may damage the sterling silver finish. Toothpaste should also not be used as a silver polish, as it is highly abrasive and may scratch the surface.

Dips and solutions are not recommended, as they may damage the finish. We also do not recommend soaking sterling silver ornaments or using running water over them, as many designs are hollow and are nearly impossible to dry completely and quickly enough to avoid corrosion.

When not in use, store sterling silver ornaments in sealed poly bags, flannel bags, or wrapped in green-tinted soft cloth. Keep them out of direct sunlight and in a dry environment to help slow tarnish caused by oxidation.

Following these guidelines will help keep your sterling silver ornaments looking beautiful so they may be cherished for generations to come.

Silverplate ornaments should be handled with care to help preserve their finish and shine for years to come. Silverplate will naturally tarnish over time due to oxidation when exposed to sulfur in the air, and tarnish may develop more quickly in humid environments.

For routine care, wipe the ornament gently with a soft cloth. Buffing with a soft polishing cloth can help restore shine and remove light tarnish. For more stubborn tarnish, a non-abrasive spray or liquid silver polish used with a soft cloth can help remove tarnish while also leaving behind a tarnish-resistant coating. Abrasive polishes or brushes are not recommended, as they may damage the silverplate finish. Toothpaste should also not be used as a silver polish, as it is highly abrasive and may scratch the surface.

Dips and solutions are not recommended, as they may damage the finish and can remove the plating. We also do not recommend soaking silverplate ornaments or placing them under running water, as many designs are hollow and nearly impossible to dry completely and quickly enough to avoid corrosion.

When not in use, store silverplate ornaments in sealed poly bags, flannel bags, and/or wrapped in softcloth brand tissue. Keep them out of direct sunlight and in a dry environment to help slow tarnish caused by oxidation.

Following these guidelines will help keep your silverplate ornaments looking beautiful so they may be cherished for generations to come.

Crystal Christmas ornaments should be handled with care to help preserve their brilliance and clarity for years to come. Always hold your ornament gently and avoid dropping it or allowing it to come into contact with hard surfaces, as crystal can chip, crack, or break.

When removing the ornament from its box, avoid pulling it out by the hanging cord or ribbon, as this may place stress on the ornament hanger or attachment point. Instead, carefully support the ornament itself when lifting it from the packaging.

To clean, dust gently with a soft, dry, lint-free cloth. If needed, you may use a slightly damp soft cloth to remove fingerprints or light residue, then dry immediately with a clean, soft cloth. Avoid soaking, abrasive cleaners, harsh chemicals, glass cleaners, or rough materials, as these may damage the surface or decorative finishes.

When displaying your ornament, place it on a secure tree branch or display stand that can safely support its weight. Keep it away from areas where it may be knocked, bumped, or exposed to sudden temperature changes.

For storage, pack the ornament in it's original box or wrap the ornament carefully in soft tissue, bubble wrap or other non-abrasive material and place it in a sturdy box in a cool, dry location. Store it away from excessive moisture, heat, or pressure from other stored items.

Always hold your ornament gently and avoid dropping or knocking it against hard surfaces, as porcelain can chip or break. Many Lenox porcelain ornaments are secured in the box with a molded plastic insert designed to hold the ornament securely in place. When removing the ornament from the box, do not use the hanging cord to lift it out, as this may put stress on the ornament hanger and could cause damage. We recommend taking the molded plastic liner out of the box and gently popping the ornament out from the back.

Dust with a soft, dry cloth. If needed, you may lightly wipe the surface with a soft, slightly damp cloth, then dry immediately. Do not use abrasive cleaners, harsh chemicals, or rough materials, as these may damage the finish or decorative details.

For display, place the ornament in a secure location away from the edge of tree branches, shelves, or mantels where it could easily fall. When hanging on a Christmas tree, use a sturdy ornament hook or ribbon and make sure the branch can safely support the ornament’s weight.

When the season is over, pack the ornament in the original box or wrap the ornament carefully in soft tissue, bubble wrap, or other non-abrasive packing material. Store it in a sturdy box in a cool, dry place away from excessive heat, moisture, or sudden temperature changes.

To help preserve the beauty of your sterling silver flatware, wash it promptly after use, especially if it has come into contact with foods such as eggs, mayonnaise, citrus, or vinegar, which can stain sterling silver in as little as an hour. Before cleaning, confirm whether your flatware is dishwasher safe. We do not recommend placing hollow handled pieces in the dishwasher as it can cause permanent damage. If it is marked hand wash only, it should always be washed by hand.

For hand washing, use hot water, a mild detergent or soap, and a soft sponge or cloth. Rinse each piece in clean, hot water, then dry immediately and thoroughly with a soft cloth to help prevent water spots. Do not soak sterling silver as prolonged exposure to water can damage the metal. Hollow handled pieces such as knives and serving pieces should never be soaked as it can cause permanent damage to the piece.

If you're using the dishwasher, do not mix sterling with stainless steel in the same basket - it can cause spotting or discoloration. Remove from the dishwasher before the dry cycle and dry immediately by hand to prevent water marks.

Once the pieces have cooled, store them properly in a silver flatware chest, a drawer lined with tarnish-preventive cloth, or a felt bag. Do not wrap silver in rubber bands, newspaper, or any high-Sulphur material, as these can accelerate tarnish and corrosion.

To maintain luster and reduce tarnish, occasionally use a non-abrasive liquid silver polish. We strongly advise against using dips or solutions, as they may remove the oxidation that can enhance the detail of the pattern.

Sterling silver improves with daily use - the more you enjoy it, the less it will tarnish. Over time, sterling silver flatware develops a soft patina and satin shine, and regular use can help enhance its beauty. Rotate pieces to ensure even wear and enjoy them often as part of your family's traditions.

To help maintain the beauty of your stainless flatware, wash it promptly after use, especially after contact with food acids or oils. Before cleaning, confirm whether your flatware is dishwasher safe. If it is marked hand wash only, it should be washed by hand rather than placed in the dishwasher. We recommend hand washing and drying stainless flatware before first use.

For hand washing, use hot water and a mild soap or detergent, then rinse in clean, hot water. Dry each piece promptly and thoroughly with a soft cloth or microfiber towel to help prevent water spots or discoloration. Avoid leaving flatware dirty or soaking overnight, as prolonged exposure to food residue, moisture, or hard water may lead to staining, pitting, or corrosion.

For dishwasher-safe flatware, load pieces loosely so water can circulate freely. Keep flatware from prolonged contact with other metals, and remove it promptly once the cycle is complete. Hand drying after the dishwasher cycle is recommended to remove any remaining moisture before storing. Avoid acidic or highly chlorinated detergents, including citrus-based dishwasher detergents, as these may harm the finish.

If discoloration or dark marks appear over time, a quality metal polish made for stainless steel may be used to restore the finish. Store flatware in a dry place, and avoid wrapping or storing it in plastic or other materials that can trap moisture.

To help preserve the beauty of your sterling silver giftware and barware, clean them regularly using a non-abrasive liquid silver polish and soft cloth to help maintain their luster and reduce tarnish. We advise against using silver dips or solutions, as they may remove the oxidation that enhances decorative detail and cause permanent damage to hollow pieces.

If your sterling silver item comes into contact with food or liquids, wash it promptly by hand using mild soap and warm water, then rinse thoroughly and dry immediately with a soft towel. Prompt drying helps reduce water spots and tarnish.

Avoid abrasive cleaners, harsh scrubbers, and prolonged moisture exposure. Store sterling silver in a cool, dry place, ideally protected from excess humidity and air exposure to help minimize tarnish. With proper care, sterling silver develops a soft patina over time that adds to its character and beauty.

Crystal gifts should be handled with care to help preserve their brilliance and clarity for years to come. We recommend hand washing only as the dishwasher can cause etching on the crystal. Pieces should be washed by hand using warm, soapy water and soft cloth or sponge. Rinse thoroughly to remove any soap residue, then dry promptly with a soft, lint-free towel to help prevent water spots and streaks.

Avoid abrasive cleaners, rough scrubbers, ammonia, bleach, and sudden temperature changes, as these can damage the crystal or increase the risk of breakage. We advise against using crystal pieces that are visibly chipped, cracked, scratched, or otherwise damaged, since they may become a safety hazard.

When storing crystal gifts, place them in a secure location where they will not be crowded, stacked too high, or knocked against other items. If storing delicate glasses in a cabinet, it is best to separate or cushion them to help avoid scratching or chipping. For stemware, hold pieces by the base or stem rather than the bowl during handling.

After use, if the pewter item has come into contact with food or liquid, wash it by hand with mild soap and warm water, then dry it promptly and thoroughly with a soft towel. We advise against placing pewter in the dishwasher as this can damage the finish.

Avoid using pewter as a long term storage container for food or liquids. We recommend keeping pewter away from high heat and not allowing it to become hot.

For routine care, wipe with a soft cloth and store in a cool, dry place when not in use. With proper care, pewter gifts can remain beautiful keepsakes for many years.