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Posted by AcatnamedEaster on Nov 06, 2009 at 03:51 PM
Last year we decided to forgo the tree; I was still nursing, the baby was still waking up multiple times a night and the idea of cleaning up shed pine needles every day on top of everything else seemed about as appealing as a daily colonic.
This year, however, DD is sleeping through the night for the most part, we're more settled in a routine and I'm thinking of putting up a tree this year.
I do worry though that the twinkling lights, pine needles and sparkly ornaments may hold way too many hazards for a toddler to resist. Those of you who had toddlers during the holiday season, did you put up a tree? If so, how did you "toddler proof" it? Was it a pain in the butt to keep them away from it and did you regret putting it up?
It's a minor decision to be sure but I miss having the tree but wonder if it's going to be way more trouble than it's worth this year.
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3716 posts
on Nov 06, 2009 at 03:54 PM
Funny Acat, our kids never had any problems with the tree..I put the ornaments on the bottom that they could "touch" if need be, but really they were fine with it...she might surprize you!
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on Nov 06, 2009 at 04:20 PM
We always put one up. When my oldest was little, I was also worried about her being too drawn to the tree, so I went to the craft store and bought big jingle bells.I put them on the bottom branches of the tree. That way, if she got too near to the tree, I could hear it. And it was a great thing for her to play with. She would just bat those jingle balls around to hear them make noise. (It was also great for if the cat got too near also). But I honestly think the bells drew her to the tree. Otherwise I think after the initial novelty of the tree wore off, she would have ignored it.
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on Nov 06, 2009 at 04:40 PM
My gosh...seven kids and never a year without a fresh tree EVER! We had one last year as well....the biggest we could that is for our one room cottage. I would never go tree-less! I agree, you may be surprised how good your LO will be, especially after the novelty wears off....
I would love to start a tradition of cutting down our tree as well....
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on Nov 06, 2009 at 06:48 PM
We put one up (although it's fake). I put all kinds of non-breakable ornaments on the bottom. The first year the girls were born I put a tree for them in the dining room. last year I did not even attempt to do so. I couldn't imagine them going after two trees. This year again I'll just put up my tree.
Christine
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on Nov 06, 2009 at 08:51 PM
We did! My daughter was 14 months on Christmas of last year! She was in such awe of it! We got plastic ( they were really pretty, they looked real) ornaments and the glass ones went to the top of the tree. We taught our daughter "no touch" at a early age, and just kept practicing it with her. Of course being a toddler she didn't always obey and she did pull the plastic ornaments off. They weren't dangerous, so it wasn't that big of a deal! After the first couple of days, it got old and she found something new that was of interest to her! I am in trouble this year, I will have a 26 month old and a 11 month old going after the tree! I know some of my friends get gates to go around the tree, that may help!
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on Nov 07, 2009 at 07:38 AM
The first year we didn't get a tree because we were traveling, but DD's second year, we did. She never really gave us any problems with it because it's in a part of the house we can close off, but like everyone else, we put baby safe ornaments around the bottom. You could also put a baby gate around it if you have one, just to be safe. But I think the other moms are right and she might surprise you.
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on Nov 07, 2009 at 09:48 AM
I'm more worried about the cats than the kid, LOL. They always try to bat the ornaments off and tend to get their claws tangled in the lights. This year we'll be out of town for Xmas so I'm not sure what I'll do. I think, Acat, I'd just be careful not to get those metal ornament-hanger things, and make sure that the low-hanging ornaments aren't breakable (or glass, for that matter). You'll be fine!
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on Nov 07, 2009 at 08:33 PM
We didn't have any problems when our tree and toddler. We didn't put any breakable ornamants within her reach, but it didn't matter anyways because she never tried to get to them anyways. Our problem was way different than that. our tree two years ago, when DD was just 1 fell over all by itself in the middle of the night. Breaking just about every single ornament we had! (Imagine being woken up by that noice....it wasn't good) But anyways, if you want to put up a tree, and are nervous you could always put a baby gate around it.
(Sorry if anyone else already mentioned that...I didn't read the other responses.)
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on Nov 10, 2009 at 06:21 PM
Hmm, you guys are making me lean in the getting a small tree direction. I love the idea of bells on the bottom branches Eileen! How clever!
I could use a bit of cheer and I really miss having a tree. We've always had one, even if it was a sorry little Charlie Bown Christmas tree in our studio apartment. I'm going to lobby for one this year; we'll see if DH agrees.
on Nov 10, 2009 at 08:05 PM
We totally had a Charlie Brown tree for two or three years, as it was all we could squeeze into our one room--and it just brightened up the place. Your DD will love it....
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