Christmas tree with an 18 month old - worth it or not?

[IntoP20]

I so so want a Christmas tree this year but is it going to be more hassle than it’s worth with a toddler? What are your experiences? Thanks!

We always had one, no way I wouldn’t.

Saying that our living room was tiny at that time and DD wasn’t in it for playing or any time alone. So it felt safe. Also, it was only up from the 23rd December to 6th January.

Friends just put the tree into a playpen, other used fireplace guards around it.

We did it with all three of ours, I hung only plastic ornaments using string and ribbon to hang at their height. All the glass and hooks went higher up. We only had to remind them to be gentle, not to pull/touch a few times. They used to spend time rearranging the ornaments they could reach. I used to spread them all back out once they were in bed.
The cat was more trouble than the kids, even he stopped bothering, he'd sit inside the tree hiding.

We've always had one! Just don't put anything on you'd worry about breaking & put the balls back on a million times a day 🤷‍♀️

We had one last year when DS was 18 months. I put the glass balls at the top and let DSS decorate the bottom of the tree with cheap plastic balls. There was lots of ‘no touching’ warnings but thankfully DS nursery also had one and taught him not to touch.

We're skipping it this year - DS will be 16 months and I don't want to spend the whole time repeatedly telling him not to touch it. He plays wherever he wants in our flat so seems a bit unfair to curtail that. I've got a little light up tree instead

We kept ours in a playpen as ds tried to suck on the fairy lights.

We always did. Even with 2 toddlers. But you know your child!

I was worrying same bout my 18 month old.. put it up anyway.. first day he pulled couple baubles off, knocked whole tree over, now few days later he doesnt even give it second look

We've got ours up with a 18 month old. One small blip when I put tree chocs on it but since taking them back off she's left it alone.

We’ve always had a tree irrespective of children , pups, kittens never been an issue .

I usually get a real tree but this year I've got a felt one for the wall that DD can redecorate as much as she likes with the velcro decorations, and a real tree in the garden instead which we'll decorate together. She's a climber/daredevil and all round menace with things like this though and I just don't think it'll be worth it during lockdown when we'll be in the house more!

I've always had a tree every year and have 3 children. All they've ever done is rearrange a few baubles at the bottom. I actually think they're more likely to knock it over now they're older messing about!

With my first it was no problem but last year my youngest, who was 18m at the time pulled it over twice within 6hrs of it being up

The first time I'd gone to answer the door and the second time I was there but it just happened so fast. So I took it down that same night

We absolutely put ours up, No way I wouldn't. I found it strange that people would not put one up.

There was a year or two where we had a miniature artificial tree, only wooden decorations and little individual bells which acted as a great warning of inquisitive fingers

DGS had a minor tantrum when he was 2ish and smashed two of my beautiful glass baubles together in a fit of pique. I sat him on the chair and instructed him not to move while I cleaned up the shards, he was totally silent. He's never touched the tree since. His sister is that age now, if we're lucky enough to have family round it will be interesting!

I always have had one, even with toddler twins. They make Me happy.

We had an artificial tree when the kids were toddlers. When DC1 was 16 months we decorated the top 12 inches.
The following year she was nearly 2.5 and her sister was 11 months and walking. We stuck to wooden decs that year!
It's much easier now they're 11 & 9.

When we had 18 month old twins we put a playpen around the tree. Worked well.

I think we might have had a smaller potted tree up on a coffee table that year. Or barricaded in a corner by the sofa and armchair, I can’t quite remember. Definitely would never not have one though (and always real).

We had a small sideboard one - one of my favourite photos of the time was ds trying to help decorate it. We only had tinsel

I always had one in fact had the same one growing in a pot for four years, intended to keep it going but it died when I potted it up ):). Why not? The tree is not just for your baby but for the family, surely.

We get a real tree every year however due is just 2. I had to pop in to homebase at the weekend to grab some bits to fix my chicken coop and DD was obsessed with the lights and tree decorations - she kept trying to grab the flashing lights. She nearly pulled one over.
So I have ordered a tiny artificial one for this year and will try a real one next year.

'due' should be dd

I had my normal tree up and my son was 9 months and mobile at the time. I put a small table in front of it so he couldn’t reach the tree, by his second Christmas he understood not to touch it

We just put none breakable stuff on the bottom. They soon got bored after a few days and leave it alone.