to hand over complete control of tree decoration responsibilities to dds, aged 8 & 2?

[TreeMayhem]

I would normally lead strongly towards the anal and control freakery end of the spectrum on this kind of task.

Today however, I am not feeling very well and I just CAN'T BE ARSED.

They are having a whale of a time putting any different coloured tinsel they can find on it.

The top of the tree, I fear is going to be somewhat on the bare side as neither of them can reach up there.

Dh did help them put the lights on but he has wrapped them round so tight that the branches are all stuck upright and it resembles something like I imagine a kidnapped christmas tree would look.

There's all manner of different beads, garlands and homemade glittery things going on there.

So, do I a) get up off my arse, take it all off and start again amid expected tantrums galore....

or b) rest my weary arse, leave the kids happy as pigs in muck, but then have to look at this monstrosity in my lounge for the next 3 weeks?

c) Wait til they're in bed and re-do it

Maybe you could just rearrange the lights a bit, then let them get on with it?

yanbu, though I would sip tea sitting in the room to keep an eye on the 2yo (probably).
DD10 +DS7 did my entire tree & most the house, I only helped get stuff out of the loft!!

I however am not a control freak, and would not notice monstruosityness.

I used to let my kids do this. They's clump everything together at the front of the tree and I'd take it all down after they'd gone to bed and do it again.

They never seemed to notice.

I really can't be arsed with c).

The little one is a rubbish sleeper and I generally go to bed the same time as her 'cos I know I'll be up half the night. And as I don't feel great will deffo not be up for late night tonight .

I'm going to have to put up with it aren't I?

YA def NBU

I actually managed to hand over control to my two smallest (7 & 3) - not use of word 'control'

Just moved some up a bit higher after they went to bed.

DS3 said 'it is the most Christmas tree ever'

note, not not [sigh]

My DH has also done the 'kidnapped Christmas tree' thing....actually it looked more like he'd stuck a straight jacket on it

I would leave it as they´ve done it tbh.

Maybe keep a few decs back for the top & do that when you can be bothered?

Well I got off my butt and helped them put a few things on the top half of the tree.

I can categorically state that this is the worst Christmas tree I've ever had.

I am only glad that I am not planning on having anyone other than very close family in my house at any time over Christmas

Who cares what your tree looks like? Isn't it lovely that your children have spent a nice time together decorating it?

The worst Christmas trees are actually the best Christmas trees.

I have let the children decorate the tree themselves since ds1 was about 5. I only started getting decorations on the top half of the tree about five years ago. And we hang all the hand made baubles and stuff that the children made.

A Christmas tree that looks like it came from the white company is like a a sign saying style not substance.

DD just finished ours and it is even and tidy and matches. I feel quite sad tbh. I may wait until she goes to bed and mess it a bit

I am trying my best to twist my brain round to that philosophy cailin

Really, I am

It's almost working! Especially as they normally fight like cat and dog.

But 3 weeks of it

All my decs are colour cordinated - I just let ds go for it and it always looks ok however he puts them on. He's so proud of it as well :)

Hope you feel better soon OP.

Take a photo of it, it'll be something to look back on later when you have a perfect tree and no little excited bodies waiting for Santa

Does it matter if it doesn't look perfect? I'd leave them to it. Perhaps put a few items on the top,but that's about it.

You are right pag. You are so right

I know this, so why does my brain do a little flip about things like this?

Definitely let them! Does it really matter if the tree looks a bit shite? They'll have a great time and you can put your feet up!

Do you feel pressure for your house to look perfect? I think it's a bit sad that you can't enjoy your children having fun with the Christmas tree to be honest. I can't wait till DS is old enough to decorate the tree himself and I'm hoping by then he'll have a sibling to do it with

It always helped that Christmas never, ever, arrived in the house until after ds2's birthday in the third week of December. So any abominations were relatively short-lived.

I'm of the "let them get on with it but quietly sort out the worst of of it later" school. The dcs never seemed to notice or be bothered about my interference since the real fun was the actual decorating. They got surprisingly good at the job by the age of 10, it has to be said.

Yes, indeed I am like this about the house as well.

It causes me a lot of stress, but i've tried just switching off from it and that doesn't work either.

Sitting and living in a mess causes me just as much stress

Ds is 8 and DD is 2, they have done quite a good job. But then I am rather poorly today so standards have slipped.

Oh dear, that must be tough going with two small kids :(

Not really Callin they are enjoying running roughshod over the household disciplinarian

We took the DD's (7 and 2) to choose some decorations and then handed over responsibility of the tree to them! DD 7 was very good at making sure the whole tree is covered - I'm sure there is a tree under the many and varied colourful decorations!!

I am usually a rather anal colour coordinated, symmetrical tree decorator so Injuat stayed away and look at the tree with fondness that my little cherubs had such fun!!!