Toddler proofing a Christmas tree?

WinesNotWhines

Any tips for toddler-proofing your tree, other than putting gates up around it? We haven't put ours up yet, but I know it's going to be a kid magnet. We don't have freestanding gates to put up around it (and I don't really want to spend the money on them, because we don't have any other use for them). What do/did you do?

MrsPhilDunphy

C did surprisingly well with it last year (and this year too). He seems to respect the majesty of the tree. Or something.

That being said, everything breakable goes up top. Only plastic/paper/wood stuff at the bottom. It helps to use floral wire instead of hangers because you can wrap it around the branches pretty well and then if an ornament actually manages to come off it doesn't have a nasty hook hanging from it. 

umdbride

my mom used to tie a thin rope around the middle of the tree trunk and connect it to a hook in the wall so it wouldn't topple over - worked great for pets and kids!

mssaint

We haven't put up our tree yet, partially because we haven't figured out the kidproofing aspect of it! Luckily, LO isn't really alone in that room ever, so we can divert him before he destroys things, I hope.

I_love_cupcakes

Even before we had DS, I never trusted our dogs with the Christmas tree, so I always put big jingle bells at the bottom.  That way if I'm not in the room I can hear if someone, human or furry, is getting too close.

WinesNotWhines

I_love_cupcakes:

Even before we had DS, I never trusted our dogs with the Christmas tree, so I always put big jingle bells at the bottom.  That way if I'm not in the room I can hear if someone, human or furry, is getting too close.

Oooh I like this! It won't prevent destruction, but at least it provides a warning.

smacb

put the breakable ornaments up high.  We barricaded ours with furniture when DS was that age.  Several people told me to just let him mess with it and he'd then ignore it after a few days.  THat didn't work for us.  DS was obsessed with trees.  His idea of a good time was going to Target or the mall and looking at the trees.

tomandcourt

Last year, we put gates around it. J was just *way* too infatuated with the tree, and he was also a new walker so we were worried about him toppling into it. The gates worked like a charm.

This year, he--much like MPD's LO--respects the majesty of the tree. We haven't even really had to say anything to him about it, but he's just been content to look at it, get up close, and maybe touch an ornament or two without trying to pull them off.

I say this with the tree having been up for less than 24 hours . . . *fingers crossed*

Mrs.Handy

We put all our breakable ornaments up top. We keep an eye on him and someone within's arms reach whenever he gets near it. When he starts to pull on it, we just repeat gentle, gentle and gently stroke the tree.

So far, so good. He's pulled off a few ornaments but become quickly bored with them. He did break one, that DH said was "unbreakable." Lol.

We keep the xmas lights off during the day, so he is not more attracted to it. Most of the time he ignores it.

Artslvr

We don't do much with our tree to kid proof it besides not put up the really breakable ornaments (we put some on, way up high, but some I don't want to chance it so we'll wait a few more years).  The girls did fine when they were young/grabby, and DS seems to be doing OK so far this year.  We just keep an eye out.  Great idea pp had with the bells on the bottom.

AgrippaRidesAgain

We anchored ours to the wall with fishing line.  So far, DD hasn't done much more than touch it a few times.

kbalb

We hang any breakable ornaments high and some really interesting ones for DD that aren't really low.  Last year, she was just turning one and learning to walk, so she grabbed the tree for support a few times, but never pulled hard enough for the whole thing to come down.  (We have a pretty stable artificial tree.)

This year she has redecorated the tree almost every day.  But we put the tree wedged into a corner, so the ones she can now reach are okay for her to play with (mostly Hallmark figurines/soft ones).  We were able to put some of the more delicate ones in the back, where we can see them, but she can't.

Now the nativity scene under the tree is a different story.  I think I might move it soon and put her Little People one under there instead.