To get a real Christmas tree with a toddler?

[newmummytobe79]

Fake or real ... there is a chance it will get pulled over!

And surely the needles/lovely smelling pine cones being eaten is classed as one of your 5 a day?

[Dead69Girl]

REAL we always had a real one when my son was a toddler

[freddiefrog]

We always had real until I realised I was allergic to them. They never got pulled over by the kids. The cats yes, no problems with the kids

[VirginiaDare]

I don't think they give away free toddlers with christmas trees.

[MerylStrop]

Big real tree non-negotiable in our house.

3 kids, youngest now 2.5. No incidents

[StuntGirl]

Virginia

[anklebitersmum]

REAL!
We've always had real, even when there were two toddlers and a puppy, just changed the baubles to shatterproof and hoisted the tree choccies up a few branches.

[Cantbelieveitsnotbutter]

I always have a real one, Sons nearly 4

[Icelollycraving]

Interested in this actually. Dh has told me no tree this year,the mad fool said until ds is 4,he will be 18 months at Christmas. We have recently had to start moving a lot of stuff as he is so strong & like a baby bull in a china shop.

[TeWiDoesTheHulaInHawaii]

Children and trees is usually fine!

The cat was a completely different story...

[PickledFanjoCat]

I was wondering too. Ds pulls most things over but I want a tree! Was thinking of a mini real one to hedge bets.

I will forgo the free toddler though!

[KellyEllyChristmasBelly]

Real. DD loved ours (had one every year since she was born) and it and it smells lovely!

[AmberSocks]

We have had real and it was fine,it was the decorations they kept on messing with that annoyed me!Plus the non drop ones dont drop much.

[anklebitersmum]

Thought I'd add that we have 4 DC's and there's never been a falling over incident with the tree (usually at least 6ft) and the Norways don't drop much.

[higgle]

We have always had a real Christmas tree. When the children were younger they were so awe struck no real chance they would pull it over. Greedy dogs too interested in the chocolate decorations are another matter!

[worldgonecrazy]

If you're worried, just tie the top of the tree to a curtain pole or picture rail. Problem solved. This solution has worked for us, our cats are always trying to climb up.

[NeedToSleepZZZ]

Excellent idea worldgonecrazy, I always have a real tree but have been fretting about it this year now that ds is 21 months and apparently in training for the SAS. Thank you!

[Pandemoniaa]

We always had a real tree. We used to cement it down put it somewhere that was difficult to pull over but actually, even when toddling, the dcs were so fascinated by the decorated tree that they tended to leave it alone. Other than putting the occasional, very peculiar additional decorations on it.

[BartimaeusNeedsMoreSleep]

I was wondering this too. I love real trees (the smell!) but DS will be 15 months and is everywhere.

He is still putting lots of things in his mouth too so I'm worried he might eat pine needles...

I dunno. DH and my parents (who look after DS in our house) all said real tree, but when I pointed out it would mean watching DS even more than we do now they all capitulated!

Guess I'll wait and see if I can resist a real one...

[PickledFanjoCat]

Maybe we should dress the little blighters as fairies and stick them on the top for the duration

[NeedToSleepZZZ]

Pickledfanjo, at least their nappies would cushion them from the needles.

[FruitSaladIsNotPudding]

My MIL told me I was mean for getting a real tree when my dd was 10mo (think of her poor little hands!) But she was fine, that year and the following one. A real tree is non-negotiable as far as I'm concerned.

Pulled baubles off all the time of course!

[Mousefunk]

We get a 7ft Norway Spruce. Last year had a toddler and newly crawling baby, neither went near, they just weren't arsed. Oh and it rarely dropped any needles.. A real tree is non-negotiable for me. MMM the smell.

[SecretSquirrels]

It has been a family tradition since DCs were toddlers. We go to choose and buy the tree, then jam it in the car so they are sat with pine needles in their ears, and bring it home with them "helping".
DS1 is almost 17 and last year I tried to persuade them to have an artificial tree (not least because we had a new kitten).

You would have thought I had cancelled Christmas. At least he does the actual carrying now

[Petershadow]

We had a smaller one and put it on the sideboard

[ContinentalKat]

We've always had a 6ft-ish real tree.
I found that buying a tree with sharp needles keeps little hands away successfully.