x-mas tree + toddler = ...?

jenerally

My 2yo DS is very curious about how things work. So I know this year if and when we get a (live) tree, he's going to want to play in the water, fondle the lights, touch the ornaments, etc.

I know some people put a little gate up around the tree as a deterrent, but we don't have that option (we have a gate climber).

Any other tips or tricks for keeping toddlers safe around the tree? We're already going to switch to plastic ornaments, etc., but I'm a little worried about him putting the lights in his mouth, etc.

MrsJLK

We put our tree up and so far DD has been really good.  She's curious about it since we've not put one up in the past, but we just tell her we don't touch and can only look.  We'll see how it goes, but we don't plan on putting a gate or anything up.

oparcm

I put it on the lower level of my house (we have a split level) so it is not on the main floor.  On that floor is my great room, bathroom and gym.  We can let her down there but if it gets too much, we go upstairs and stay there.  Can you put it in a room that you can close off?  BTW, dd just turned 3 the other day and last  year she never really bothered with it much.  I thought for sure she would.

co18co

DS is the same age as your DS, and he is leaving it alone.  He understands when he tell him the whole "look with your eyes, not with your hands" thing.  We just got it today, so it's only been about 12 hours, but  he is so curious, and still is just playing around it. 

 

We told him the lights are dangerous, and that the tree is just to look at it.  SO far (and again, it's been 12 hours) so good. 

Rebekah1021

I bought new shatterproof ornaments, but put most of my old glass ones up on the tree. I have the nice old ornaments on the top and the plastic ones on the bottom.

I let her hang them up on the tree and then told her that it was just to look and not touch. So far, she has done just that. I also have all of my nutcrackers out in the fireplace on the floor and she hasn't even attempted to touch them.

Hooray2005

For some odd reason, my 2 1/2 y/o DS who can never keep his hands of anything is currently leaving the tree alone!  We talked about needing to look but not touch (something he can't usually do), and hung only non-breakable ornaments at his "grab" level.  I think the awe of the tree is enough to keep him interested w/o having to manhandle everything (at least at this point).

So far so good... 

KellyMichelle

When my DS was 2 we didn't put ornaments on the tree, we did put lights though.  I told him that the tree was from santa and we could look at it, but not touch it.  (He is OBSESSED with santa) It worked well.  We also put the tree up only about a week before Christmas and took it down righ after so there would be less temptation.