How do you keep LO from messing with the tree, knocking it down, eating the needles that fall off, trying to climb it, taking ornaments off, tugging on the lights, etc.?
I do not have one of those play yard things. If I did I would just set it up as a barricade but I don't want to spend the $ for something I probably won't use again.
I already hate doing a tree because my cats and dogs get obsessed with it, and I don't think a spray bottle will work on DD...
So would it be totally Scrooge-y to skip the tree this year?
Re: Dumb Christmas Tree Question -- may skip it this year
How about a fake tree, with the ornaments up higher?
I realize this wont stop an LO from trying to pull on it or whatever, but thats just an opinion if you really want a tree, if not, then I wouldnt really even worry about it.
Were only doing presents for LO at home, then we are going to our families homes, so im not worried about a tree.
I've been thinking about this too... and I'm going with the upside down christmas tree
DD 12.2010
i this idea, but they go for around $250 where I live, and I couldnt justify spending that on a tree, upside down or not. I'd rather spend it on more/better presents for the family.
Love this. But not for >$200. I may just skip it because I already have an artificial tree and would prefer to not buy a tabletop tree. We are probably going out of town for Christmas anyway.
Created by MyFitnessPal - Free Calorie Counter
"><a href="http://www.myfitnesspal.com/weight-loss-ticker"><img border="0" src="http://tickers.myfitnesspal.com/ticker/show/825/1820/8251820.png" /></a><p style="text-align:center;width:420px;"><small>Created by MyFitnessPal - Free <a href="http://www.myfitnesspal.com">Calorie Counter</a></small></p>This is what we will most likely do. We have a 10 year old, so it's not an option to skip it.
For the past few years, we've put non-breakable ornaments on the bottom, breakables on the top. That works for when my nephew comes over. Maybe not so much when Mac's around full-time.
Bar tab = $156,000, Bus to Foxwoods = $0, Puking in the Stanley Cup = Priceless
I agree with this. We tag our tree and cut it down. It is a tradition that I've been doing since I was a baby. I could never not have a tree.
Keep ornaments higher or only those which are child safe on the bottom. I also put presents around the tree so there is less access. Keep the dustbuster ready to pick up the needles and enjoy all the excitement in their eyes (corny, I know).
You could get a little tree and keep it on top of a table.
Random story: When my brother and I were still living at home my mom set up a bush of rosemary on our dinning room table. I asked "what's that all about?" she said "its a pagan bush" me: "a what?" my mom: "instead of a christmas tree i set up a pagan bush, that is what christmas originated from anyway." My brother and I diligently told her that she was not allowed to ruin christmas just because we were adults (I was 18 he was 22). That year my brother and I went and bought the tree ourselves and side-eyed my mom all season. We still remind her that she's never allowed to kill christmas like that ever again. It's been 5 years.
I didn't put a tree up until DS was three because this. I didn't think it was ever a big deal to skip it..when DS was younger he didn't have a concept of what the tree represents, so I didn't feel like he was missing out on anything.
11-15-08
12-1-10
Last year I just couldn't deal with the tree but couldn't deal with not having a tree for DD's first Christmas. So my wonderful DH put it up for me and then we decorated it while DD watched from her swing. She loved looking at the lights -- it was actually a lifesaver when she was colicky because it distracted her from whatever was making her scream inconsolably.
This year, I think it may be a safety hazard. I literally don't have anywhere I can put it where DD can't get to it, and I also don't have a table tall enough that she can't reach whatever is on top of it.
If I can find a play yard for a reasonable price I might pick one up -- it would also keep the cats and dogs away from the tree. I already basically don't put any ornaments on the bottom third of my tree because of the pets because the dogs pull off the plush ornaments and the cats pull off anything sparkly or shiny.
In the next house hopefully I will have a den or something that I can gate off from all my critters.
Ditto all this. The memories are MORE than worth the hassle.
pPROM at 27 weeks, Birdy born at 28 weeks at 2lb 7oz.