Comments on: Mommy SOS: Toddlers and Christmas Trees

By: vtjill

vtjill — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 15:36:22 +0000

Any chance you can put up a big tree in a room you don’t use as often? I know this may not be an option but we put our tree up in our more formal living room that we rarely use which has dramatically minized our DD’s interest. We also put jingle bells on the bottom that she helped hang which she loved (and put the nicer ornaments up top). So far it’s been working but I have to say reading some of these comments make me wonder if we are nuts or should be tying down the tree!

By: Jules

Jules — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 01:14:05 +0000

My tree is full of expensive Radko ornaments. Everyone thought I was crazy when I started collecting them over 10 years ago, thinking what would happen when I had kids. I’ve been lucky–aside from a Kermit the Frog ornament breaking as Mikey tried to carry it to me when he was 3, nothing has been damaged (knock on wood).

Both boys were fascinated at around Jasper’s age, but I just stayed close to them the first day or so and let them touch the ornaments while I was holding them in my arms. But, I was clear that they couldn’t touch when I wasn’t around. I just kept praising them when they would look and point. I don’t know if I’ve been lucky or the positive reinforcement worked. I would like to think it’s a combination of both.

Nicholas gasped this year when he saw the tree and went running to it like a maniac, but we told him to look but not touch. “Not touch, Mama? Just look at the Christmas?” That’s right. Just look at the Christmas. :)

By: nanette

nanette — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 22:47:22 +0000

I was going to get a tree decal from Etsy, which are cute but a little spendy, but decided to just use our fake tree instead, with a baby gate around it.

By: Catharine

Catharine — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 19:20:32 +0000

We have a pre-lit tree with no ornaments this year. Still pretty but less exciting to a toddler and a new kitten.

By: katie

katie — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 17:29:48 +0000

I had to put all my beautiful antique glass ornaments on the top and have plastic ornaments on the bottom. C loves to pull the bottom ones off so instead of the hooks I just put extra ribbon around them so they are east to get off.

I do like the idea of the one finger rule… going to try that tonight!

By: Susan

Susan — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 13:50:53 +0000

Like Maggie, we have a superyard around our tree. We already had the superyard, so at least it wasn’t an extra cost for us. All the ornaments are shatterproof (just in case) and I have to say I kind of love our set-up. We can enjoy our tree, the cat knows where she can escape to, and I have a place to keep gifts that otherwise would take up room on the kitchen counter. I guess it helps that our gate has small vertical slats, so it’s not much of a visual interruption.

Here is a link to the photo:
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=121701&l=e464bee93d&id=1751841161

By: Peytie's nanny

Peytie's nanny — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 13:27:57 +0000

Just a quick comment…the bells on the lower ornaments…I think isn’t a good idea at all because kids love things that make noise so obviously they are going to WANT to mess with those ones….

Anyway, Peyt’s mom was just mentioning this morning that she is greatful that we have a kiddo that listens well. She loves the tree and was very interested in it while it was being decorated and a few of the more exciting ornaments had to be moved BUT all we have to do is tell her to “leave it” or “don’t touch” and she will. And we have a HUGE tree, got the biggest one on the lot and it’s right in the main room, I love Christmas :-)

By: kennedy

kennedy — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 12:48:44 +0000

“One finger” works in our house! Although, like Stephanie, we have had a few occasions where she gets so excited she can’t take it anymore and grabs whatever she can until we pull her away… but that’s why our nicer ornaments are up top. :)

My mom said we always had a Christmas tree when we were kids and I can’t imagine NOT putting ours up… so I’m willing to be extra vigilant for a month if it means I get to look at that pretty tree all day long!

By: marybeth @ www.babygoodbuys.com

marybeth @ www.babygoodbuys.com — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 04:21:20 +0000

I LOVE the “one finger” idea, but I’ll have to test it on something else first. I’d hate to go through all the work of putting up a tree only to have “one finger” result in tears and frustration!

By: Sarah

Sarah — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 02:35:20 +0000

We’re considering 3 options: putting a smaller tree up higher as many have already discussed, putting a regular-sized tree in a section of the house Finn can see but we can still “gate off,” or putting up a regular-sized tree and then following Finn around — as we already do in areas of the house that haven’t been completely baby-proofed yet (gasp!). Option 1 is currently most appealing, but I’ll miss the bigger tree…